Aid for Part-time Study

The Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies.

Eligibility

An applicant must:

  • be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in NYS for at least 12 continuous months prior to the start of the term;
  • have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • be enrolled as a part-time student;
  • be matriculated in an approved program of study in a participating New York State postsecondary institution;
  • be in good academic standing;
  • be charged at least $100 tuition per year;
  • meet income eligibility limitations;
  • not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility;
  • not be in default on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award and,
  • be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

Study Requirements

For this program, part-time study means being enrolled for at least:

  • 3 but fewer than 12 semester hours per semester.
  • 4 but fewer than 8 credit hours per trimester. 

Income Limits

Eligibility for an APTS award is based on New York State net taxable income, Federal, State or local pension income and private pension and annuity income, if applicable, from the preceding calendar year.

  • For students who were eligible to be claimed as tax dependents by their parents, family New York State NET taxable income may not exceed $50,550. Family income includes student AND parent income.
  • For students who were not eligible to be claimed by their parents as tax dependents, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) may not exceed $34,250. The spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
  • For students who were not eligible to be claimed by their parents but were eligible to claim tax dependents other than self and/or spouse, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse’s income) may not exceed $50,550. The spouse’s income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year. 

Award Amount

Awards provide up to $2,000 per year for part-time undergraduate study at participating institutions in New York State. An APTS award cannot exceed tuition charges.

Selection for an APTS Award

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) distributes APTS funds to participating colleges in New York State. College financial aid administrators select potential recipients from eligible students and decide who will receive APTS awards based on the funds they have available and students’ needs. 

How to Apply

To apply, students should obtain an APTS application from the college the student will be attending. Since funds are limited, the student should complete the application and return it to the college as early as possible for processing.

Questions?

Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 888-697-4372 with questions regarding this Program.

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