Vol. 1, No. 1, May 2020

Important Updates from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Vol. 1, No. 1, May 2020

We might not be at our desks, but we're still here to help...

While HESC staff are complying with NY Pause, we may not be physically at our desks, but we're still working to support students and here to respond to your questions. Complete our Web Form and let us know how we can help you!

COVID-19 and Your Financial Aid: What You Need to Know...

Are you concerned about your financial aid because you have been impacted by COVID-19 and your studies have been interrupted? Here's what you need to know about your New York State grant and/or scholarship:

Will I receive my New York State grant and/or scholarship if I was impacted by COVID-19?

HESC is working to ensure that you, and students like you, who received financial aid for the 2019-2020 academic year, retain their awards if they are unable to satisfy their eligibility requirements due to COVID-19.

How do I know if I qualify?

If you would have met all eligibility requirements, but your studies were disturbed because: (1) you became sick with the virus or were the primary caretaker of someone who was, (2) your campus closed and you did not have the means to continue your coursework in your home through the use of distance learning, or (3) you were unable to complete your credit-bearing experiential learning internship and no alternative coursework could be offered by your college, you may qualify.

What do I need to do?

If you have been impacted, you will need to reach out to your school to discuss your situation and provide any documentation your school may require as verification. Your college's Financial Aid Office will work with you to minimize any disruption to your New York State financial aid if you are eligible.

Learn more about your eligibility.

More questions about the impact of coronavirus on your New York State financial aid?

Visit our FAQs for more information on what you need to know about COVID-19 and your financial aid. Our FAQs are updated regularly, so be sure to check back often!

All About TAP...

You tell us, we'll tell your school...

Want to be sure that your school receives your Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) financial award information? HESC must notify your college of your award eligibility so that your tuition charges can be offset, but we need you to tell us the name of the school that you will be attending.

How do I notify HESC of the school I will be attending?

It's easy! If you will be attending college for the first time in Fall 2020, and already selected your college when completing your TAP application, all you need to do is verify that your information is accurate in your HESC Student Account.

If you did not select your college when completing your TAP application, it's important that you let HESC know the college you are attending prior to the Fall 2020 term. Once you have been admitted and have committed to a college, log into your HESC Student Account and select the name of your college from the dropdown menu.

Answers to your TAP questions...

Q: I have received a notice to complete a New York State Residency Review Questionnaire for TAP. How do I get this form, and where/how do I submit it?

A: If you have been asked to submit a residency questionnaire, a link to the form can be found in your HESC Student Account.
Follow these steps:
1. Go to Review My NYS Financial Aid Information
2. On the NYS Student Aid Online Request for Information page, click the link for the New York State Residency Review Questionnaire toward the top of the page.

Q: I submitted documentation, as required by HESC, through the HESC Document Upload Portal, but my HESC Student Account doesn't show that it has been processed. How do I know that you received it?

A: The processing of documentation uploaded may be delayed as HESC responds to the impact of COVID-19 on New Yorkers. To verify that HESC has received your documentation, log into the HESC Document Upload Portal using your HESCPin login and passcode and click on the "Upload History" button found at the top of the page. If your documentation appears in your upload history, it has been received. Once HESC has processed your documentation, you will be notified by email.

All About the Excelsior Scholarship Program...

The coronavirus put a wrinkle in our plans and our schedules, which includes the opening date for the Excelsior Scholarship application... which traditionally opens in April. The exact date on which the 2020-21 Excelsior Scholarship application will open is yet to be determined, but here's what you can do to be prepared:

Be the first to know when the Excelsior Scholarship application becomes available by signing up here. Your information will only be used for notification purposes.

I received an award previously, do I need to apply again?

If you received an award in Spring 2020, Fall 2019 or earlier, you only need to complete the renewal FAFSA and Student Aid Payment Application.

I will be applying for the Excelsior Scholarship for the first time. What do I need to do?

To process your Excelsior Scholarship application more quickly, complete the FAFSA and TAP application before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship. A TAP application is required if your family's 2018 Net Taxable Income was $80,000 or less. The FAFSA and TAP application can be completed at any time, you do not need to wait until the Excelsior Scholarship application opens.

Did you know...?

...that you can get an Excelsior Scholarship this fall if you plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY college and your family's 2018 adjusted gross income was $125,000 or less?

...that you must agree to live and work in New York State following your college graduation for the length of time you participate in the scholarship program? And if you don't comply with the live and work requirement, the award dollars that you received will convert to a zero interest loan that must be repaid.

...in general, you must complete 30 credits towards your degree program to keep your Excelsior Scholarship award?

...that Excelsior Scholarship applicants who have previously attended college in pursuit of a degree must have earned an average of 30-credits per year to be eligible for the scholarship?

Learn more about the Excelsior Scholarship Program.

My Student Account Tips and Tools

HESC encourages students to monitor and update their accounts. However, we know that sometimes you may run into a technical roadblock. Use these tips and tools to make changes/updates to your HESC student account.

How do I update my email address or Personal Identification Number (PIN) in my Student Account?

You can update your email address, change your PIN, and even update your challenge question in your Student Account. Click here to log into your account to make your updates.

I Forgot my HESC Student Account User ID/HESCPin. How do get that information?

Click here to retrieve your HESCPin or User ID or to reset your PIN.

Have a Question or a Suggestion?

There are no better questions than those that come from you! If you have a general question or want to more information on a particular topic, email our HESC Communications Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll include it in our FAQs posted on our website or in a future monthly issue.