Financial Aid Calendar
Pre-October
- Apply for a FSA ID at www.studentaid.gov now so you can electronically sign your FAFSA. Have your parents apply for a FSA ID so they can electronically sign your FAFSA.
October
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting Oct. 1. Don't wait for admissions acceptance. File the FAFSA electronically or obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1.800.433.3243.
- Complete the NY State Express TAP Application that is linked to the on-line FAFSA or complete the TAP application directly on hesc.ny.gov.
- Complete individual college financial aid applications where required. Consult the colleges’ catalogs to see if required.
- Check deadline dates for all applications.
November
- Review and correct, if necessary, the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you by the federal processor of your FAFSA.
- Check the status of your New York TAP application anytime on-line at: www.hesc.ny.gov.
January/February
- Receive financial aid award letters (packages) from colleges. Compare and evaluate packages carefully using cost of attendance less financial aid to the real “bottom line”.
- Respond to each college’s package within the stated deadlines.
May
- Make your choice of college to attend. (May 1 is a common deadline).
- Finalize Federal Direct Loan application by signing a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and completing entrance loan counseling.
June/July/August
- Submit the TAP change form at www.hesc.ny.gov if you decided to attend a college other than the one listed on your award certificate or call NYSHESC at 1.888.697.4372.
- Attend an orientation session for fall.
- Follow up on progress of your application for TAP, Federal Direct Loans, and other forms of student aid, if necessary.
- Arrange for payment of fall tuition bill.