NYS Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program

The New York State Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program provides tuition awards that cover the cost of six credit hours or $1,500 per term, whichever is less, to students attending a SUNY or CUNY community college who are enrolled in at least 6 but less than 12 credits.

  • PTS Award Program
  • NYS DREAM Act PTS Applicants

Eligibility

An applicant must:

  • be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
  • have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
  • be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY community college;
  • be enrolled in at least six but less than 12 credits per term;
  • maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;
  • be in a non-default status 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.

Students with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Students with qualified disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act who are registered with their college office for students with disabilities and who satisfy all other eligibility requirements may receive awards if enrolled in at least 3 credits.

Award Amount

A recipient of a PTS Award will receive an award that covers the cost of six credit hours or $1,500 per term, whichever is less, at a SUNY or CUNY community college.

Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Duration

An award recipient is entitled to award payments for not more than four consecutive academic semesters.

How to Apply

New York State Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program

The deadline for the NYS Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program has passed.

Recipient Selection

Recipients will be selected and prioritized based on financial need. Financial need is established in the year the award is first granted, and is determined by the applicant’s federal Expected Family Contribution as reflected on the applicant’s federal student aid report. A lower Expected Family Contribution demonstrates evidence of greater financial need. 

Payment

Once you have been selected to receive an award, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application each year to receive future payments.

Awards will be paid directly to the college on behalf of the PTS Award Program recipient upon certification by the college that the student was enrolled in at least six credits and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Note: Awards are subject to available funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

View commonly asked questions pertaining to the NYS Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program.

Questions?

Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions about this Program.

Eligibility

  1. Your permanent home is in NYS and you are or have ONE of the following:
    1. U-Visa
    2. T-Visa
    3. Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990
    4. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)
    5. AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:
      1. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      2. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      3. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      4. You did not attend or graduate from a NYS high school, did not receive a NYS high school equivalency diploma, but are charged the NYS resident in-State tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for any reason
  2. Your permanent home is outside of NYS and you are or have ONE of the following:
    1. U.S. citizen
    2. Permanent lawful resident
    3. Of a class of refugees paroled by the attorney general under his or her parole authority pertaining to the admission of aliens to the U.S.
    4. U-Visa
    5. T-Visa
    6. Temporary protected status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990
    7. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)
    8. AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:
      1. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      2. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school diploma OR
      3. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within five years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      4. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within ten years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma OR
      5. You did not attend or graduate from a NYS high school, did not receive a NYS high school equivalency diploma, but are charged the NYS resident in-State tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for any reason

Note: A student seeking New York State financial aid, including TAP, for the first time, must pass a federally approved ATB test identified by the Board of Regents if the student does not possess a U.S. high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

Students with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Students with qualified disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act who are registered with their college office for students with disabilities and who satisfy all other eligibility requirements may receive awards if enrolled in at least 3 credits.

Award Amount

A recipient of a PTS Award will receive an award that covers the cost of six credit hours or $1,500 per term, whichever is less, at a SUNY or CUNY community college.

Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Duration

An award recipient is entitled to award payments for not more than four consecutive academic semesters.

How to Apply

 

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