Are you a New York State resident with the hopes of earning a college degree? Changes to the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (or TAP) may help make attending college, like Vaughn, more affordable for eligible students. The best part is any financial award a student receives is classified as a grant, which means it does not need to be repaid! Read on to learn more about how TAP could help make your dreams of attending college a reality!

What is TAP?

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents afford tuition at approved schools within the state. Vaughn College is one of these schools. And, as mentioned above, none of the money needs to be paid back!

Exciting changes to TAP

For the first time in 25 years, TAP is increasing the income eligibility to qualify for assistance—as well as the minimum award—which increased from $500 to $1,000.

Here are the new guidelines for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Income of $125,000 or less, net taxable income (NTI)

• If the applicant is a dependent undergraduate student within a household earning under the income limit, or
• If the applicant is an independent student (married or single) with tax dependents, or
• If the applicant has qualified as an orphan, foster child or ward of the court at any time since the age of 13.

Income of $60,000 or less

• If the applicant is an independent married student who has no tax dependents.

Income of $30,000 or less

• If the applicant is a single independent student who has no tax dependents.

How much can be awarded?

Eligible students can receive an annual TAP award of up to $5,665, with the minimum award starting at $1,000. You can estimate your TAP award using this estimating tool.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a legal resident of New York State for 12 continuous months.
• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a GED or passed an approved “Ability to Benefit” test.
• Studied at an approved post-secondary institution in New York.
• Maintained good academic standing.
• Be enrolled as a full-time student and complete 12 or more credits per semester. (See below for information on part-time TAP eligibility.)
• Meet income eligibility limits.

Part-time TAP requirements:

• Be enrolled in six to 11 credits.
• Maintain a grade “C” average.
• Learn more about TAP availability for part-time students.

Anyone who is not a US citizen may qualify under the New York State (NYS) DREAM Act.

Other New York State grants

For students attending private colleges in the region, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation offers the Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) program, which provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents and study at a participating private college located in New York State. Recipients of ETA will receive $6,000 through a combination of their TAP award, ETA award and a match from their private college. Considered a federal grant like TAP, ETA awards do not need to be repaid.

How to apply

The easiest way to apply for TAP is by completing the FAFSA form. Use the QR code to start your FAFSA today and apply Vaughn’s FAFSA code: 002665.

New York State residents who attend NYS institutions can link directly to the TAP application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page.

Vaughn is committed to offering an affordable education

Vaughn College is committed to providing an affordable education for students through financial aid, scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, flexible payment plans and perhaps most importantly, ensuring students graduate with high-paying careers. Reach out to our financial aid or admissions departments to learn more.