The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year of study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,165. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

• PART TIME TAP: Part-Time TAP helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions on a part-time basis pay for tuition. Part-time TAP is a grant and does not have to be paid back. 

• ADA PART TIME TAP: Education Law section 661(d)(4) provides that for students who are disabled as defined by the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, “the full-time attendance requirement is eliminated. Such disabled students may be in part-time attendance, as defined by the commissioner in order to be eligible to receive payments...“ Other than full-time enrollment, ADA Part-Time TAP recipients must meet all TAP eligibility requirements.

• NYS DREAM ACT TAP APPLICANTS: Students newly applying for NYS financial aid under the provisions of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act must first apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before applying for TAP. 

WHAT DOES "PART-TIME" STUDY MEAN? According to section 145-2.1(a)(4) of the “Regulations of the Commissioner of Education,” for a student with a disability, “part-time study or attendance shall mean enrollment for at least three but less than 12 semester hours per semester or the equivalent, or at least two but less than eight semester hours per quarter.”