Step 1 Getting Started

Visit hesc.ny.gov/altpath and click “Apply Today.”
Log in to your portal or create a new account.
Use a personal email address when creating an account.
Do not use a school or work email. Click “Add New Application”

Step 2 Completing the Path Determination Questionnaire

Select the option that best describes your situation.
Read all instructions and confirm your selection.
For help with these questions, visit the Path Determination Guide.
Begin the Alternate Eligibility Application.

Step 3 Checking Your Eligibility

Answer a few citizenship and immigration questions:
Social Security number, level of study, school year and residency
Click “Submit” to continue with the application.

Step 4 Student Information

Enter full legal name

Date of Birth
This field will display the birth date you entered during account registration. It will be non-editable.

To correct this, contact NYSDREAM@applyISTS.com or call 1-844-833-7129. You will be required to submit a birth certificate or other legal documentation showing the correct date.

Address Information
You will be asked to enter only your city, state, and zip code.

Opt in for notifications

Student Grade Level

Upload supporting documents
Applicants may be required to submit supporting documentation.

Step 5 Submit Your Application

Confirm your information is accurate.
Electronically sign the application.
Submit your completed application.

Once approved, applicants can submit NYS financial aid applications, including the TAP application, through their account portal.

Additional Support

For help completing your application, join the HESC Alternate Path monthly support session.

HESC Call Center 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372)

For questions or concerns with your application, use the Account Portal chat box or email NYSDream@ApplyISTS.com.

Brooklyn College TAP Information Website

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) | Brooklyn College

The NY State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides tuition assistance to NY State residents who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at colleges in NY State like Brooklyn College. TAP grants are available for full-time and part-time study. Full-time TAP may cover up to 100% of your tuition charges each semester. The TAP grant does not pay fees.

To determine your eligibility for a TAP grant you must first Apply For TAP.

Students who do not wish to apply for TAP via the FAFSA may be eligible to apply under the alternate pathway option.

Brooklyn College TAP Information Website

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) | Brooklyn College

Eligibility Requirements for NY State TAP

Eligible Person: Citizenship, DREAM act, Residency and Financial Status Requirements

• U.S. Citizens and Eligible non-Citizens that are also legal residents of NY State
• Undocumented persons who are eligible under the NY State DREAM Act
• Persons not in default on any Federal or State student loans
• Persons in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that they have previously received

Academic Eligibility Requirements

• Have a U.S. HS Diploma or Equivalent (GED, TASC) or passed a federally approved ATB exam
• Attend an approved college (such as Brooklyn College)
• Be enrolled in a undergraduate degree-granting program of study and maintain good academic standing
• Transfer students who are transferring with at least 60 credits must declare a major in their first semester before the published deadline. Consult the academic calendar for the deadline.
• Be a first time college student as of Fall 2006 or thereafter and enrolled for at least 6 credits but fewer than 12 credits applicable to your program of study to be eligible for part-time TAP.
• Be enrolled in at least 12 credits applicable to your program of study to be eligible for full-time TAP.
• Be charged at least $200 in tuition per year.

Income Limit Requirements

• $125,000 or less net taxable income (NTI):
  
  • If you are a dependent undergraduate student within a household earning under the income limit OR
  • If you are an independent student (married or single) with tax dependents OR
  • If you are a student who qualified as an orphan, foster child, or ward of the court at any time since the age of 13.
• $60,000 or less net taxable income (NTI): If you are an independent student (married) without tax dependents.
• $30,000 or less net taxable income (NTI): If you are an independent student (single) without tax dependents.

TAP Award Amounts

The minimum is $1,000 per year ($500 per term) to a maximum of $5,665 per year ($2,832.50 per term )for 2024-25 academic year (the minimum award increased to $1,000 effective 2024-25).

For students attending CUNY senior colleges like Brooklyn College, where the tuition exceeds the maximum TAP grant amount, an additional TAP Waiver award amount may be applied based on a predefined percentage of the TAP award itself. Full-time students with a maximum TAP grant will still have their full tuition covered by the grant and TAP waiver.

Part-Time TAP Award Amount Proration

Part-Time TAP award amounts adjust based on the percentage of credits applied against the Full-Time TAP Award as determined by the TAP application process. For example a student taking 9 credits applicable to their program of study will receive 75% of their TAP grant in that semester.

Click to Estimate your TAP Award

Definition of Good Academic Standing

The academic guidelines for New York State (NYS) aid programs are divided into three major areas: Program Pursuit, Academic Progress and GPA. Students must meet all three sets of rules in order to eligible to receive one or more NYS award each semester.

Program Pursuit

Program Pursuit— requires all students to complete a specific number of credits each semester. A course is considered completed when a grade of A+, A, A-, B-, B, B+, C-, C, C+, D-, D, D+, P (Passing), NC (No Credit), INC (incomplete) or F (Failing) is awarded at the end of the semester. Grades of W (Official Withdrawal), WU (Unofficial Withdrawal), WA (Administrative Withdrawal), WN (Never Attended) or WD (Withdrawal Drop) are not considered completed grades.

Academic Progress

Academic Progress – comprises a minimum number of credits to be accrued (earned) with a minimum cumulative grade point average in each term an award payment is received. The progress standard is most clearly presented in chart format as presented on the next folio of this guide.

C Average

For Part-time TAP a student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 after their first semester. The only exception are students in their first semester at Brooklyn College.

For full-time TAP a student who has received two or more full years of state funded aid must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C Average) or above.

Academic Progress and Pursuit Charts

First Time TAP Recipients before 2005 or in the 2005-2006 Academic Year

First Time TAP Recipients who are SEEK or during the 2007-2008 to 2009-2010 Academic Years

First Time TAP Recipients from 2010 and Thereafter

Student’s who qualify under the American for Disabilities Act and enroll Part-time

Consequences of Failing to meet Academic Progress and Pursuit

• You will not be eligible for TAP in the semester which you are not meeting the academic requirements.
• You can regain eligibility by meeting the requirements for the next payment as indicated on the applicable chart above or you can appeal for a TAP waiver if your failure to meet the progress and/or pursuit standard(s) was due to a severe circumstance beyond your control.

TAP Academic Progress and Pursuit Appeal Waiver

• The Progress and Pursuit appeal waiver can only be granted one-time during undergraduate study.
• A C Average waiver appeal may be granted multiple times during the course of undergraduate study.
• The appeal process is outlined in the online TAP Waiver Appeal Form (accessible with your BC WebCentral Credentials). Submission of a TAP waiver appeal does not guarantee approval.
• The appeal process requires you to submit supporting documentation and meet with a financial aid advisor for counseling.
• The appeal committee reviews the appeal form, supporting documentation, personal statement, academic record and history, and TAP payment usage to determine what course of action is in the student’s best interest. Sometimes an appeal is denied because it is determined to be in the best interest of the student, especially given the limitation on the number of TAP payments.

TAP Payment Limitations and Point System

TAP Payment Limits

Each full-time TAP payment is equivalent to 6 payment points. These payment points are used to determine your academic progress and pursuit requirements. Students at senior colleges are eligible for 8 full-time TAP payments equivalent to 48 points. The only exceptions are students in SEEK or students enrolled in an eligible five year program (such as Public Accounting and Business Management B.S. degree) which may go to 60 points.

Part-Time TAP and Point Proration

Students using part-time TAP use the number of points equivalent to the percentage of the prorated payment. For example, a 9 credit enrollment of applicable coursework is equivalent to 75% of the 6 points of a full-time TAP payment. This means that 4.5 TAP points have been used for that TAP payment.

Additional Resources

HESC Call Center 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372)

TAP Award Estimator

TAP Grant Financial Aid TV Video (1 minute)

Learn About TAP HESC

NY State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Website

FACTS (Financial Aid Tracking System) Navigation Guide

CUNYfirst Student Financial Aid Guide and Other Guides

Reasons Students Lose their TAP Award

Change of Residency, Citizenship/DREAM Act Status Unconfirmed -First Level

The student(or your student’s parents if dependent) cease being a NYS resident.

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident status was not confirmed with the college Registrar’s office or Admissions office (if it is your first semester) and the student is ineligible for the DREAM act.

FAFSA citizenship/eligible non-citizen status is not confirmed and the student is not DREAM act eligible. The student must submit proof of citizenship or permanent residency to the Financial Aid Office in addition to the Admissions or Registrar as appropriate.

HS Diploma or Equivalency or ATB Unconfirmed- First Level

High school diploma was earned outside the U.S. but did not take or pass the ATB test by the stated deadline.

HS Diploma or equivalent missing from Admissions records.

Academic Progress and Pursuit Reasons – Second Level

Failing Academic Progress and Pursuit (see the Understanding TAP guide for more details about academic progress requirements.)

Course Applicability to Program of Study – Electives, Double majors, Minors and Repeats -Second Level

Currently enrolled courses are not applicable to the program of study based on the applicable college bulletin. This can occur mid-semester as evaluation processes are ongoing.

Elective courses are only applicable to the program of study if they are required to meet the minimum number of credits necessary to complete the degree (usually this is 120 credits). Elective courses that, when combined with major requirements, pathways-general education (common core and flexible common core) and college option requirements, would cause the student to exceed 120 earned credits, are not TAP eligible courses.

A major was not declared prior to the major declaration deadline posted in the academic calendar and the student earned 60 credits or greater or transferred in to the college with 60 credits from another institution or early college program.

A change of major causes previously taken courses in the prior major to be considered electives and the current taking coursework has now become a “not needed” elective.

Courses taken in additional major(s) and/or minor(s), when combined with your primary major or general education/college option requirements, that will exceed the 120 credits needed to graduate are not TAP eligible. Those courses are considered not allowed elective credits and the elective credit rule above applies to a additional major(s) and/or minor(s).

Repeating a course that was already passed or when a student has received a grade that is passing at the institution but is unacceptable in a particular curriculum. TAP program requirements prohibit retaking a passed course in order to improve the grade unless there is a particular curriculum grade requirement or for additional credit if granted (e.g. certain seminar courses). Failed courses may be retaken.

Other Causes – First and Second Level

A new TAP application was not filed or processed by HESC for the new academic year.

A new TAP application was filed and processed by HESC for the new academic year but the student/student’s family now exceeds the income thresholds for an award.

Income verificaiton of NY State tax data performed by HESC changes the award amount or makes the student ineligible based on income.

Non-enrollment during the semester for which a TAP payment is sought.

As noted above – earned the amount of credits needed to graduate (typically 120) but have not graduated yet and will not graduate in that semester.

Poor academic planning led to taking coursework that was not applicable as described in detail above.

A submitted TAP appeal waiver was denied.

Brooklyn College TAP Information Website

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) | Brooklyn College

HESC Call Center

1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372)

Step 1 – Login

Navigate to facts.cuny.edu and login with your CUNYfirst username and password

Step 2 – Click on the FACTS link

Click the FACTS link on the right side of the screen.

Step 3 -Enter Your EMPLID

Enter your 8-digit EMPLID in the “Student ID” field and then click the “submit” button underneath the student ID field.

After your search you will be shown the FACTS home screen. From the “Current Eligibility” menu (second from left) select the “Details” option to to get started.

Step 4 – Review your General State Aid Eligibility/Ineligibility by Term and Program

Review your State Financial Aid (APTS, TAP and HESC Scholarships (including Excelsior)
eligibility for the term in question.

In this section, you can confirm your information such as name, degree, major(s)/minor(s), First TAP payment year, Transfer Credit information (if applicable), Total Credits Attempted and Earned at Brooklyn College, award eligibility etc.

4.1 – Confirm Record Information

4.2 General Program Eligibility review

This section of the page allows you to see which NY State aid programs you may be eligible for.

Click on the link “Not Eligible” or “Eligible” to learn why you did or did not qualify for a specific program. Also check the “general guidelines” section to make sure you meet general eligibility requirements first, before checking the coursework and academic progress applicability.

In the example below the student is not eligible for any state aid programs.

In the example below the student is not eligible for TAP but is eligible for Part-Time TAP (PTAP) and Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS).

General Eligibility Requirements View.

Step 5 – Review Specific Reasons for State Aid Eligibility/Ineligibility by Term and Program

5.1 TAP Review Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Reason(s)

For each full-time TAP eligibility requirement you can review the specific reason(s) you are eligible/not eligible. In the example below the student is ineligible for TAP for four different reasons.

5.2 Part-Time TAP (PTAP) Review Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Reason(s)

For each part-time TAP eligibility requirement you can review the specific reason(s) you are not eligible. In the example below the student is eligible/ineligible for Part-time TAP for three different reasons.

Example of Eligibility statuses for PTAP. All statuses show with a check mark and are green. Student is determined program eligible.

5.3 Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) Review Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Reason(s)

For each APTS eligibility requirement you can review the specific reason(s) you are eligible/not eligible. In the example below the student is ineligible for Part-time TAP for three different reasons.

Example of Eligibility statuses for APTS. All statuses show with a check mark and are green. Student is determined program eligible at the academic level.

5.4 Select NY State Scholarship – Review Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Reason(s)

For each scholarship program listed you can review the eligibility requirements and see whether or not you were determined eligible/not-eligible. In the example below the student is ineligible for the various scholarship programs.

5.5 Veteran’s Tuition Award (VTA)- Review Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Reason(s)

For VTA you can review the eligibility requirements and see whether or not you were determined eligible/not-eligible. In the example below the student is ultimately determined ineligible for VTA.

Step 6 – Summary Course Applicability by Term

In the example below you can see which programs the student is eligible for on the upper right side of the page. Under the ‘current enrollment” section you can see the course applicability by looking at the “eligible for NY State aid” column. A green Y means it is applicable a Red N means it is not.

FACTS provides an estimate of eligibility. In all cases students must always double check their courses in the applicable bulletin to determine if it is part of the program of study.