Completing the NYS TAP application is essential for students to access the financial aid they’re eligible for to support their education. Learn how students can apply for TAP through the FAFSA or the NYS DREAM Act, ensuring all students have pathways to critical financial assistance.

Seminar

TAP and NYS DREAM Act seminar

This seminar will explain the NYS DREAM Act Eligibility and TAP applications. We will discuss which students need to apply through the NYS DREAM Act, how to access the TAP application, and how to fill out the TAP application.

Seminar Video  Download Presentation

 

Resources

Common TAP Mistakes - Help your students avoid the six most common Tuition Assistance Program mistakes. 

NYS DREAM Act Quick Tips - NYS DREAM Act students may need help with their NYS DREAM Act portal. This document provides helpful tips and links for NYS DREAM Act students.

How to Create A HESC PIN Account - Students must have an HESC account to complete a TAP application. This document will guide students as they create their HESC Account. 

How to Upload a Document - Step-by-step guide on uploading documents required by HESC.

students looking at a laptop

Every student is not the same. Some students have special circumstances in their lives that are hard to account for in the regular application. In this module, you will find important training seminars, walkthrough videos, FAQs, and educational materials to help explain and document their special circumstance.

Understanding Special Circumstances

 

Video Tutorials

  • How to Upload a Document

  • NYS DREAM Act Walkthrough At a Glance

  • How To Create a HESC Pin

TAP & DREAM Act FAQs

To verify income, the student will need to upload a Return Transcript from the NYS Department of Tax and Finance or the IRS. Return transcripts are different than a typical tax return. Students can download the Income Verification resource for step-by-step instructions on obtaining a New York State or IRS Tax Transcript.  Manual income verification can take up to 10 weeks to process.

Yes, as long as the student meets their own residency and eligibility requirements.

Condition:  You are a ward of the court (not including status as an inmate).
Documentation: Copy of a court order making you a ward of the court or appointing a guardian other than your parents.

Condition:  You are receiving public assistance under your own budget (not as a dependent of your parents).
Documentation:  Budget statement or other documentation from a social service official showing receipt of public assistance (other than food stamps or unemployment insurance).

Note: Housing Assistance/Budget Letter must be in the student’s name.

Condition:  There has been an involuntary dissolution of your family, resulting in the relinquishment of your parents’ responsibility and control.
Documentation: A sworn, signed statement from a third party (such as clergy, social worker, legal aid representative, or official at the institution responsible for your care) describing your family circumstances. This statement should include reasons for the relinquishment of parental responsibility (e.g., abandonment, abuse, or parental non-citizen status), your relationship to the person making the statement, and how they have direct knowledge of your situation.

Condition:  Both parents are deceased
Documentation:  Copies of death certificates for both parents.

Condition:  Both parents have been certified as having a total and permanent disability or declared incompetent by judicial action
Documentation:  Medical certification and court orders for both parents.

Attend an Event

Have questions or would like to discuss FAFSA Ready?

Contact us at [email protected].