Grants, Scholarships and Loan Programs

  • NYS Grants

  • NYS Scholarships
    & Awards
  • Federal
    Grants
  • Federal
    Work-Study
  • Other Grants
    & Scholarships
  • Loan
    Forgiveness
  • Student
    Loans
State GrantSummary
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), New York's largest grant program, helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions pay for tuition. TAP grants are based on the applicant’s and his or her family’s New York State taxable income.
Part-time TAP  Part-time TAP helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions on a part-time basis pay for tuition.
NYS Aid for Part-time Study The NYS Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies. Students in non-degree workforce credential programs are also eligible to apply for TAP.
 
ScholarshipSummary
Excelsior Scholarship The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. For the 2024-25 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2022 are eligible to apply.
Enhanced Tuition Awards This program enables students attending private colleges to receive financial assistance to complete their college degree. The program provides a maximum award of $3,000, requires private colleges to provide a match and freeze student tuition for the duration of the award – maximizing the financial benefit to the student.
New York State Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award The New York State Part-time Scholarship Award Program provides scholarship awards to students who attend a SUNY or CUNY Community College part-time and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Students can receive $1,500 per semester for up to 2 years.
NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program The NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program grants awards for child welfare workers employed at voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agencies licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Recipients must agree to live in NYS and work at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency licensed by OCFS for 5 years after graduation, and can use the award to get an associate’s, bachelor’s or graduate degree for not more than 2 years, 4 years, and 2 years, respectively.
NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence Awarded to outstanding graduates from registered New York State high schools. Awards are based on student grades in certain Regents exams. For up to five years of undergraduate study in New York State.
NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides awards for full-time students attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York (SUNY) for the top 10 percent of students in each New York State high school if they pursue a STEM degree in an associates or bachelor degree program and agree to work in a STEM field in New York State for 5 years after graduation.
NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship Provides grants to eligible full-time undergraduate or graduate students in approved programs that lead to math or science teaching careers in secondary education.
NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of the victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts.
NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship  The New York State Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program provides 500 top undergraduate students full graduate tuition awards annually, to pursue their Masters in Education at a SUNY or CUNY college or university. 

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled full-time in a master's degree in education program and agree to teach in a NYS public elementary or secondary school for five years following completion of his or her degree.

Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship The Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship program seeks to increase the number of educators and adjunct clinical faculty teaching nursing education in New York State.
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute - MERIT Scholarship Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state organized militia who at any time, while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while performing their military duties, whether in combat or not.
Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 on February 12, 2009.
American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship For the families and financial dependents of victims of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 on November 12, 2001.
NYS Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Workers Provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. For study in New York State.

 


NYS Awards

AwardSummary
Veterans Tuition Awards Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State are eligible for awards for full or part-time study.
NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans Provided to students whose parent(s) have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency.
NYS Aid to Native Americans Provides aid to enrolled members of tribes listed on the official roll of New York State tribes or to the child of an enrolled member of a New York State tribe. For study in New York State.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Provided to New York State residents interested in high quality opportunities in community service.
Federal GrantSummary
Pell Grant Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Pell Grants are based on financial need as demonstrated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) The FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need; students who receive Federal Pell Grants have priority. FSEOGs are awarded by a college's financial aid office based on information in the FAFSA.
TEACH Grant The TEACH Grant program provides grants to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant, but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
 

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides part time employment for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay their education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related on campus jobs related to the student's course of study.  The FAFSA is part of the application process and jobs are provided to help the neediest students finance some of the costs of their education.

Pay is based on the federal minimum wage, but may vary depending on the skill level required for the job. Your total work-study award is based on:

  • When you apply
  • Your level of financial need
  • Your school’s available FWS funds

Since the money from FWS is earned for hours worked, it is paid directly to the student and is not shown as a credit on the college bill.

Learn more about the Federal Work-Study Program.

Grants

GrantsSummary
NYS Educational Opportunity Program The Educational Opportunity Program provides assistance to NYS residents who are academically and financially disadvantaged, according to state guidelines. Learn more by visiting the Opportunity Program admissions office at your college of choice.

Institutional Scholarships

Colleges provide institutional grants and scholarships to help make up the difference between college costs and what a family can be expected to contribute through income, savings, loans, and student earnings. Awards may be based on academic merit, artistic or athletic talent, financial need or other factors. You can learn more about the types of institutional grants and scholarships awarded by checking each college's financial aid website.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships provide funding for students who meet the requirements specified by the donor organization. Local organizations or businesses may offer scholarships to students who plan to study at a regional college or who plan to pursue a degree in a particular field of study.

Check with your High School Guidance Counselor office for details about local and regional scholarships.

Find additional scholarships through:

 

Under certain conditions, you may have all or part of your education loans forgiven or cancelled in exchange for performing a qualifying service for a defined period of time. Although you do not have to repay the part of your loan that is forgiven or cancelled, you may owe taxes on the forgiven/cancelled amount in cases where the forgiven/cancelled amount is considered income.

New York State Loan Forgiveness Programs for NYS Residents Only
TitleSummary
NYS Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Program  The New York State Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Program provides student loan forgiveness awards for the purpose of attracting workers to be employed in NYS child welfare agencies. Recipients can receive awards up to $10,000 per year for up to 5 years, not to exceed the total amount of the recipient’s student loan debt.

NYS Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The NYS Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is offered to increase the number of teachers serving in NYS. It provides loan forgiveness awards to teachers serving in high need school districts or subject areas for which a shortage of teachers exists.

Loan Forgiveness for District Attorneys and Indigent Legal Services Attorneys

Awards are offered to retain experienced attorneys employed as District Attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys or Indigent Legal Services Attorneys throughout New York State.

Loan Forgiveness for Licensed Social Workers

Awards are made annually to social workers licensed to practice in New York State who have at least one year of prior employment working in a critical human service area.

Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

This program seeks to increase the number of nursing faculty members and adjunct clinical faculty teaching in the field of nursing in New York State.

New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

The New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program is offered to encourage recent college graduates to pursue careers in farming in New York State. This program provides loan forgiveness awards to individuals who obtain an undergraduate degree from an approved New York State college or university and agree to operate a farm in New York State, on a full- time basis, for five years.

New York State 'Get on Your Feet' Loan Forgiveness Program

The Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program allows students who graduate from a college or university located in NYS in 2014-15 or thereafter, continue to live in NYS upon college graduation, earn less than $50,000 per year, participate in either the federal Pay As You Earn (PAYE) or eligible Income Based Repayment (IBR) program, and apply within two years of graduating from college to be eligible to have their federal income-based repayment plan commitment covered for two years.

 

Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs
TitleSummary

Loan Forgiveness for Teachers

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. If you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools and educational service agencies that serve low-income families, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and your Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans.

Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full time in public service jobs. Borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full time by certain public service employers.

Perkins Loan Cancellation Programs

For borrowers with Perkins Loans who perform certain types of public service or are employed in certain occupations. A percentage of the loan may be cancelled for each year of service. To apply, contact the school that you were attending when you received the loan. Occupations include:

  • Volunteer in the Peace Corps or ACTION program (including VISTA)
  • Teacher
  • Member of the U.S. Armed Forces (serving in areas of hostilities)
  • Nurse or medical technician
  • Law enforcement or corrections officer
  • Head Start worker
  • Child or family services worker
  • Professional provider of early intervention services
 

Loans

Student loans must be paid back — with interest.  Before taking out a student loan, make sure you have applied for all of the scholarships and grants you are eligible to receive from the federal and state government, your college and organizations in your community. 

After exhausting all opportunities for scholarships and grants, you may consider student loans. You may apply for a federal student loan by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  If after exhausting your federal student loan options you find that you still have a college funding gap, you may consider a private loan to make up the difference.

Federal Loans

The financial aid offer from your college shows the federal student loans for which you are eligible. Loan fees are charged for each loan. The fee varies by type of loan. Interest rates and borrowing limits for federal student loans are determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal LoanSummary
Federal Direct Loan Programs
(Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

Federal Direct Loan Programs help both undergraduate and graduate students cover the cost of higher education with loans borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program helps parents pay the education expenses of dependent undergraduate students.  Parents may borrow up to the difference between the financial aid already received – from scholarships, grants and student loans – and the student's cost of attendance.

Federal Direct Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan Program

Graduate/Professional Direct PLUS loans help qualifying graduate students pay the difference between the financial aid already received – from scholarships, grants and student loans – and the cost of attendance.


Use our Loan Comparison Quick Reference chart as a quick, convenient reference guide to the features, terms and repayment details for Federal Direct, PLUS and private loans. 

Learn about Federal Loan borrowing limits.

Private Loans

Private student loans — sometimes known as alternative loans — are options for students to pay for college when other sources of funding, like federal and state grants, scholarships, and Direct Stafford Loans are not available.

Borrowing for a student loan is a serious financial commitment. Be sure to exhaust all federal loan eligibility before borrowing a private student loan and consider the Federal PLUS Loan. Learn about the Federal PLUS Loan. Before taking out any student loan, federal or private, you need to understand loans, their benefits, and your responsibilities.

Once a student applies for the loan, the private lender’s approval is based on the borrower's ability to repay. Their interest rates vary based on the borrower’s application and credit profile and they may have different fees, repayment options, and borrower benefits.

If a private student loan is needed, student borrowers will secure better terms and pricing by adding a credit worthy co-signer to their application. Always check the interest rate, fees, interest capitalization policy, repayment period, prepayment penalties and other terms and conditions of the loan before you sign a promissory note.

Interest rates, loan limits, interest capitalization policy, repayment options and prepayment penalties can vary – sometimes considerably – depending on the financial institution underwriting the loan. When comparing loans, compare based on the total cost over the lifetime of the loan. Keep in mind that you may need to meet certain requirements to access lower interest rates, borrower benefits or promotions; such as signing up for automatic payments to get a reduced interest rate.

It's important to understand all the terms associated with a loan before you choose one.

Learn more about smart borrowing.
 
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