Questions
Am I eligible for TAP?
How do I apply for TAP for the first time?
How do I apply for TAP if I missed the direct link from the FAFSA form?
I received TAP last year. Do I have to apply again?
How much TAP am I eligible for, and when will I receive it?
I am not going to the school I originally planned. How can I change my school information?
I have received my award certificate and I need to make changes. Do I have to use the TAP Change Form? How long does it take to process?
My school estimated my TAP award and my TAP award certificate shows I will be getting less. Why did it change?

Am I eligible for TAP?

The NYS TAP program is intended to cover the tuition costs at New York colleges and schools.

To be eligible for TAP, you must be a New York State resident for 12 consecutive months and attend an eligible school or college located in New York State. You must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list a New York State school or college on the form.
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How do I apply for TAP for the first time?

You must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list a New York State college or school.

After you confirm the FAFSA submission, you may file the electronic TAP Application online by clicking on the New York State resident link and completing the TAP on the Web application.

After successful completion of the TAP application, you will receive an email message alerting you to check the status of your application. Processing may take up to 10 business days. You will not receive an email message until your electronic application is processed.
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How do I apply for TAP if I missed the direct link from the FAFSA form?

You must wait 3 to 4 business days for HESC to receive and process your completed FAFSA information. After successful transmission of your FAFSA information, you will receive an email message directing you to the HESC Web site to complete the TAP on the Web application.
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I received TAP last year. Do I have to apply again?

TAP has a multi-year application process, so students who have received TAP in the previous year may not be required to submit a new electronic TAP application.

However, you must submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal FAFSA for each new award year to be considered for the TAP multi-year process.

Based upon the data reported on the FAFSA and historical information on file at HESC, you will receive an email message from TAP with eligibility and award information if certain multi-year processing criteria are met. You should verify that all information is correct. If any information is incorrect, you should submit a TAP change form. The online TAP change form will appear as a link in the email message you receive.
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How much TAP am I eligible for, and when will I receive it?

Your school will estimate your TAP award based on the information you provide to the school. The school will verify your information and then calculate an estimated TAP award. Your actual TAP award, calculated by HESC, may differ from the estimate if any discrepancies arise during the verification process (i.e. income, cost of attendance, family members in school, etc.). To get an idea of your potential TAP award, use the TAP Award Estimator.

You will receive an email directing you to the HESC website to view information about and the status of your TAP award.

Your school will see your information on a roster listing students that have received an award for attendance at that school. The school must verify your eligibility and certify your award. The TAP funds will be sent to the school, usually within three to five weeks.

If your school needs confirmation of how much your TAP award will be before the roster is sent, print your account information from the HESC Web site and provide a copy to the school.
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I am not going to the school I originally planned. How can I change my school information?

On your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you are asked to list the schools you plan to attend. The FAFSA, in turn, is the source of the school code for the TAP application. When you complete the online TAP application, the first New York school you listed on the FAFSA will appear online. If the school is not correct, you must change it when completing the TAP on the Web application.

After your application is processed, you may make school code changes online by visiting Manage My Account. Alternatively, you may make a change to the school code and/or student address by calling the HESC Customer Communication Center at 1-888-NYS-HESC (1-888-697-4372) or 1-800-445-5234 (TDD) and speaking with a representative. School code changes may also be made using our automated telephone system.
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I have received an electronic award notification and I need to make changes. Do I have to use the TAP Change Form? How long does it take to process?

Most changes, except for school code and address changes must be submitted on the TAP change form. The TAP change form generally takes three to four weeks to process. School code and address changes may be made online by visiting Manage My Account; you may also request duplicate TAP forms. Certain changes may be made by your school or by speaking with a representative at the HESC Customer Communication Center at 1-888-NYS-HESC (1-888-697-4372).
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My school estimated my TAP award and my TAP award certificate shows I will be getting less. Why did it change?

The school gives you an estimate of your TAP award and the estimate is subject to change based upon verification of all of the data.

TAP verifies the New York taxable income with the New York State Tax Department, and if there are any differences in what is originally reported, your actual TAP award may change.

In addition, your TAP award may be calculated based upon many different factors, such as the family members in college and parents' income, so it is important to make certain that all of the data you have provided is complete and correct, and to be sure to submit all requested documentation.
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