Tuition Assistance Program

Funding and continuation of New York state programs are contingent upon approval of the state budget. Complete and up-to-date information about New York state programs can also be found at Higher Education Services Corporation.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Application Procedures

New York State residents who submit a FAFSA indicating at least one New York state college can apply electronically at the end of the FAFSA process or go to Higher Education Services Corporation.

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) determines the applicant’s eligibility and the amount of the grant. Niagara will defer payment on the basis of receipt of the award certificate. Actual payment is received after the school certifies student eligibility.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards

Tuition Assistance Program is an entitlement program. There is neither a qualifying examination nor a limited number of awards. The applicant must:

• Be a New York state resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.
• Be enrolled full time (12 credits) and matriculated in an approved program at a New York state post-secondary institution.
• Meet income eligibility requirement.
• Not be in default on any NYS-guaranteed student loan or state award.
• Have a valid Social Security number.

All income data are subject to verification with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Undergraduate students may receive TAP awards for eight full-time semesters. Students enrolled in the Niagara University Opportunity Program may receive undergraduate awards for 10 full-time semesters. Students must have at least a C average after receipt of two annual payments (four semesters).

Award Schedule

The amount of the TAP award is scaled according to New York net taxable income. Undergraduate students who are dependent or who are financially independent and married OR have tax dependents: $80,000 net taxable income or less. Single independent with no dependents: $10,000 NET taxable income or less. Income is adjusted for other family members in full-time college attendance. Based on current schedules, awards for first-time recipients range from $500 - $5,565 for dependent or independent undergraduates with dependents. Single independent students’ (no dependents) awards range from $500 - $3,525 per year. TAP awards are reduced by $100 per year for students who have received four or more payments. TAP award amounts are dependent upon action in each year’s New York state budget.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients

Students must maintain normal satisfactory academic progress as well as be monitored for pursuit of program as follows. During the first year that TAP is received, students must complete (all grades except W) six credit hours per semester; the second year, nine credit hours per semester; subsequent years, 12 credit hours per semester. Failure to pursue their program at the above rate will result in a loss of TAP for the following semester. Students not making satisfactory academic progress, but who have been reinstated through the appeals process, are not eligible to receive TAP payments. Also, students not achieving a C average after four TAP payments lose TAP eligibility.

Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for the Purpose of Determining Eligibility for State Student Aid

Effective 2010-11 for non-remedial students receiving first NYS award payments in 2007-08 and thereafter. SED's emergency regulations 8 NYCRR 145-2.2(b)(iv)(b) define remedial for purposes of the 2010 SAP. Students enrolled in an approved certificate program will use the 2006 SAP charts.

Program: Baccalaureate Program

Before being certified for this payment a student must have accrued at least the following credits and grade point average as per the chart below.

Program: Baccalaureate Program - Remedial

Calendar: Semester 2006-07, 2007-08 through 2009-10 and 2010-11 and thereafter remedial students (if a student's first award was in 2010-11 and thereafter, and he/she does not meet the definition of a remedial student, see chart above for non-remedial students)

TAP Waiver

New York State regulations permit students to receive a one-time waiver of the good academic standing requirement as an undergraduate student if there are extenuating circumstances. To receive such a waiver, the student should be able to prove one of the following:

• Illness or death in the student’s family.
• Serious illness of the student.
• Academic hardship.

In addition to the one-time good academic standing waiver, a student may apply for a waiver of the C average requirement for TAP based on the death of a student’s relative; the student’s personal illness or injury; or other extenuating circumstance. This must be documented and relate to circumstances that have affected the student’s ability to achieve a cumulative C average as of the end of a particular semester. The C average wavier is separate from the onetime good academic standing waiver and may be granted more than once if circumstances warrant. Applications for TAP waivers are available from the chair of the satisfactory academic progress committee in the Office of Academic Support, Seton Hall. The application must contain supporting documentation and the waiver is not automatic. The waiver must be approved by the chair and the director of financial aid.

New York Part-Time TAP

Application Procedure

Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and must also complete the TAP application. File both electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This program is available beginning in 2007-08 for students who have completed requirements as first-time freshmen in 2006-07 and meet the following criteria.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards

Students taking six to 11 credits who in the previous academic year have earned two consecutive semesters of 12 credits each (24 credits total) and have maintained a "C" average (2.00 GPA). Students must be a legal resident of New York State, a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, matriculated in an approved undergraduate degree program, not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC and not be in any repayment of state awards, meet income eligibility limitations, and not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility.

Award Schedule

Awards are based on New York state net taxable income and are prorated based on the current TAP schedule and number of credit hours taken. A part-time TAP award cannot exceed tuition charges.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients

Students must maintain good academic standing.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Application Procedures

Applicants must annually file an APTS application, available in the financial aid office. A FAFSA must also be filed to determine any eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant program.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards

Recipients must be New York state residents; have a high school diploma or GED; have a net taxable income of less than $50,550 for dependent students, $34,250 for independent students; enroll for at least three but not more than 11 credit hours; be matriculated in an approved undergraduate degree or certificate program; have not exhausted eligibility under the TAP program; and retain good academic standing including having achieved at least a cumulative C average after having received the equivalent of two full years of state sponsored financial aid.

Award Schedule

APTS is awarded on the basis of allocation received by New York state, with priority given to students demonstrating financial need. Awards may be given in amounts of up to $2,000 per year, or tuition, whichever is less.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients

Applicants must retain good academic standing in order to continue to be eligible for an award, and must not be in default on any government guaranteed student loan. In each term an award is received, recipient must achieve a cumulative passing average.