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: $125,000 net taxable income or less. Single independent with no dependents: $30,000 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 $1,000 – $5,565 for dependent or independent undergraduates with dependents. Single independent students’ (no dependents) awards range from $1,000 – $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.
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.
