TAP Requirements

Academic Requirements for Aid - State Aid

NEW YORK STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

If You Are Receiving TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) This Semester

Be Aware of Your Responsibility to Meet the TAP Academic Progress Guidelines as Established by the State of New York

Eligibility for Continuing to Receive TAP Requires the following

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

(1) Pursuit of Program: This stays the same for Continuing TAP and for New TAP recipients.

Students must complete the minimum number of credits for chargeable hours each semester as per these specifications:

#TAP Awards
Received
Required Completion of Credits or
Equivalents for Prior Semester
1st 0
2nd 6
3rd 6
4th 9
5th 9
6th 12


(2) Academic Progress: Please note the changes that have been made by New York State.

Before being certified for TAP a student must accumulate the minimum total number of credits and achieve a specified cumulative grade point average (GPA) which is determined by the number of payments received, according to the charts below.

Requirements for Students who received TAP prior to Summer 2006
#TAP Awards Received Minimum # of Credits Earned Minimum Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average)
1st 0 0.00
2nd 0 0.00
3rd 6 1.00
4th 18 1.20
5th 31 2.00
6th 45 2.00
Requirements for Students receiving TAP for the first time Summer 2006 through 2009-10
#TAP Awards Received Minimum # of Credits Earned Minimum Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average)
1st 0 0.00
2nd 3 0.50
3rd 9 0.75
4th 18 1.30
5th 30 2.00
6th 45 2.00
Requirements for Students who first received state aid (TAP/APTS) in the 2007-08 academic year through 2010-11 (The following chart is in effect for the Spring 2011 Semester Only)
#TAP Awards Received Minimum # of Credits Earned Minimum Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average)
1st 0 0.00
2nd 6 1.50
3rd 15 1.80
4th 30 2.00
5th 45 2.00
6th 60 2.00
Requirements for Students who first received state aid (TAP/APTS) for the 2010-11 academic year and after
#TAP Awards Received Minimum # of Credits Earned Minimum Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average)
1st 0 0.00
2nd 6 1.30
3rd 15 1.50
4th 27 1.80
5th 39 2.00
6th 51 2.00


(3) Withdrawal from all courses:  Students will lose TAP eligibility for the following semester if they drop and/or withdraw (officially or unofficially) from their courses during their prior semester.

NOTE: If you do not meet the aforementioned New York State requirements, you will be responsible for repaying the TAP award granted to you the following semester.  Inability to complete the Satisfactory Academic Standing based on Pursuit of Program and/or Academic Progress may prevent the continuation of your education, including registration, until the outstanding TAP award is fully repaid.

Important State Notes

A. Loss of TAP eligibility: Students who fail to meet the standards of academic program pursuit, academic progress, and/or attendance, will lose their TAP eligibility.  In addition, any student who registers for courses without having met these standards will be liable and billed for the full amount of his or her TAP award.  Also, any student who registers for courses not required by their curriculum will lose TAP.

B.  Students on probation or continued probation who make satisfactory academic progress during this probationary period and continue to maintain their academic standing will maintain their eligibility for financial aid.

C.  A repeated credit course cannot be included as part of a student's minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes except in the following cases: (1) when the repeated course was previously failed; (2) when the course was previously passed but with a grade too low to be accepted in the student's curriculum; or (3) when a repeated course earns credit each time.

D.  A repeated non-credit (remedial) course cannot be included as part of a student's minimum full-time or part-time course load for New York State financial aid purposes if the student received a passing grade for that course (i.e. "NC" grade or "INC" grade).

E.  Transfer students or students making a change of curriculum should review their status with an academic advisor and a financial aid counselor in order to insure their TAP eligibility status.

F.  Waiver Policy: Students who can demonstrate that exceptional circumstances beyond their control caused them to have a substandard record may be eligible for a one-time undergraduate waiver of TAP regulations.  Waivers will be granted in these exceptional cases only when (1) there is a reasonable probability that the student will regain good academic standing; (2) the student is able to present full documentation; and (3) the waiver is approved by the TAP Waiver Officer.  Students who wish to apply for a TAP Waiver must make an appointment with the TAP Waiver Officer.

TAP Contact Information:
888-NYS-HESC (1888-697-4372)

Federal School Code: 008611
New York State Code (TAP): 1401