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TAP-Tuition Assistance Program
The TAP Program is an entitlement program and no repayment is required as it is a grant. To be eligible for consideration the student must be:
1) New York State resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
2) Enrolled on a full-time basis (at least 12 credit hours per semester). Eligibility for TAP is based on the family's prior year New York taxable income figure and also considers how many family members, other than the applicant, will be enrolled in college on a full-time basis.

TAP awards 2006-07 year ranged from $500 to $4375 per year. Students can receive a TAP award for no more than six full-time semesters of undergraduate study at the associate degree level. Recipients must be in good academic standing in the program in which they are enrolled.

Vietnam Veterans Tuition Awards (VVTA)
Provide up to $1,000.00 per semester for full time study or $500.00 for part time study to Vietnam veterans matriculated at undergraduate degree-granting institutions or in approved vocational training programs in New York State.

Eligibility Student must:
• Have served in the US armed forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7,1975.
• Have established eligibility by applying to NYSHESC (New York State Higher Education Service Corporation) on or before September 1, 1994.
• Be a New York State resident.
• Have been discharged from the U.S. Armed forces under other than dishonorable conditions.
• Be matriculated full or part time at an undergraduate degree-granting institution in New York State or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
• Have applied for the Tuition Assistance Program and Federal Pell Grant awards for full-time study or apply for a Federal Pell Grant award for part-time study, or for enrollment in a vocational training program.

Federal Pell Grant
Unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Pell Grant.) Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

How much can I get?
The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2007-08 award year (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008) is $4,310. The maximum award for the 2008-09 award year (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009) is $4,731. The maximum can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you get, though, will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

If I am eligible, how will I get the Pell Grant money?
Your school can apply Pell Grant funds to your school costs, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. The school must tell you in writing how much your award will be and how and when you'll be paid. Schools must disburse funds at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters must disburse funds at least twice per academic year.

Child of Veteran Awards (CV)

1. Recipients of Awards for Children of Veterans must be either the child of a veteran who died, or who were prisoners of war or who are currently listed as missing in action, or who suffered a disability of at least 40 percent resulting from U.S. military service during one of the following periods: April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918; December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946; June 27, 1950-January 31, 1955; December 22, 1961-May 7, 1975; August 2, 1990 through the end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf conflict
2. Students whose parent(s) have been a recipient of the Armed Forces, Navy or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in operations in Lebanon during the following periods: June 1, 1983-December 1, 1987; October 23, 1983-November 21, 1983; December 20, 1989-January 31, 1990.
3. Students who were born with spina bifida whose parent(s) are Vietnam Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961-May 7, 1975. Recipients must meet all of the general requirements for TAP with the exception of the income requirement, and the award may be received in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. In addition, the parent on which the award is based must have been a legal resident of New York State at the time the parent entered military service, or if the parent died as a result of military service, at the time of death. Applicants must file the pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payment Application each year. In addition, applicants must file a Child of Veteran supplement the first year they apply for an award. Recipients of the Regents Award for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans may receive awards of up to $450 per year.

Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers and Firefighters
Recipients of the Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Police Officers, Peace Officers and Firefighters must meet all the general requirements of the TAP program, with the exception of the income requirements, and in addition must have a parent who died as a result of injury sustained in the line of duty. This award may be received in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. Applicants must file the pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payments application each year. Applicants must also file a special Memorial supplement to document their eligibility the first year they apply for an award. This supplement may be obtained by contacting the Special Scholarship Unit, NYSHESC, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12255.

Award amounts are updated annually and are based on the cost of attendance at a SUNY institution. Holders of the Memorial Scholarship generally receive additional grants from Long Island University to help cover the higher cost of attendance at Long Island University, which is a private institution.

Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Outstanding high school graduates in New York State are chosen to receive this scholarship by officials at each high school. Holders of a Scholarship for Academic Excellence must file the Pre-printed Express TAP Application or the separate Scholarships and Grants Payment Application each year. Recipients of the Scholarship for Academic Excellence must meet all of the general requirements of the TAP program, with the exception of the income requirements, and may receive the scholarship in addition to a TAP award if financially eligible. Eligible students may receive an annual award of $1,500 per year.

Additionally, a limited amount of awards at $500 per year are also made available to students at each New York high school. The amount of the awards may change for future academic years subject to action by the New York State Legislature.

Source:
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation,
99 Washington Avenue, Albany,
New York 12255

Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships
Full-time students studying in an approved program leading to licensure in a profession designated by the Commissioner of Education may apply for this award. Selection is based on the following priorities: applicants must be economically disadvantaged and a member of a minority group historically underrepresented in the licensed profession and those enrolled in or graduated from the following opportunity programs — SEEK, College discovery, EOP, or HEOP. This award provides from $1,000 to $5,000 per year for up to four years of study.

Recipients must meet all of the general requirements of the TAP program and agree to practice in their chosen profession in New York State for 12 months for each annual payment received.

New York State’s Program of Aid for Part-Time Study
This is a grant program funded by New York State in conjunction with the University. Awards can be up to $2,000 per year for part-time undergraduate students. In order to be considered, a student must be working toward an undergraduate degree as a part-time student enrolled for 3-11 credits per semester. The student must be in good academic standing, be a resident of New York State, and be a U.S. citizen. Income restrictions apply. Students must apply for this grant for each semester funding is needed.

State Aid to Native Americans
Application Procedure: Application forms may be obtained from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, NY 12230.

The completed application form should be forwarded by the applicant to the Native American Education Unit along with the following materials:

1. Official transcript of high school record or a photocopy of the General Equivalency Diploma.
2. Letter(s) of recommendation from one or more leaders in the community attesting to personality and character.
3. Personal letter setting forth clearly and in detail educational plans and desires.
4. Signatures of the parents of minor applicants, approving education plans.
5. Official tribal certification form.
6. A copy of your acceptance letter from the college you're planning on attending.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The applicant must be:

1. A member of one of the Native American tribes within New York State.
2. Have graduated from an approved high school, or have earned a General Equivalency Diploma, or be enrolled in a program in an approved postsecondary institution leading to degree-credit status and the General Equivalency Diploma.
3. Enrolled in an approved postsecondary institution in New York State. State Aid to Native Americans is an entitlement program. There is neither a qualifying examination nor a limited number of awards.

Award Schedule:
The award is $1,000 per year for a maximum of four years of full-time study, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Students registered for fewer than this number will be funded at approximately $46 per credit hour.
Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: Students are responsible for notifying the Native American Education Unit in writing of any change in student status or program or institutional enrollment. Student must submit semester grades.

Source:
Native American Education Unit
New York State Education Department
Albany, NY 12230

For more specific information concerning the above state awards, contact the Student Service Center or the New York Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255.

Equal Opportunity Program -EOP
This program operates in the State University of New York and is designed to provide access to post-secondary education to educationally and economically disadvantaged students. It is a comprehensive program in which financial assistance is only one component along with special counseling, tutoring, and remedial course work.

Application is automatic via the "SUNY Application for Admission." An applicant must be:

• A New York State resident;
• Academically disadvantaged according to definitions promulgated by SUNY;
• Economically disadvantaged according to guidelines approved by the Board of Regents and the Director of the Budget. Students who apply for the EOP Program will be required to provide documentation of total family income before being admitted to the program (to ensure that they meet prescribed income guidelines).
  

The amount of financial assistance and other support provided to EOP students is dependent on need as determined by SUNY Canton, within State guidelines.

Empire State Minority Scholarship Program
The SUNY Canton/Empire State Minority Scholarship program provides assistance to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and are from under-represented minority groups. Individuals selected to receive these Scholarships must:

• Be residents of New York State;
• Be of a historically under-represented ethnic background (African American/Black, Native American, Hispanic, Alaskan American), including permanent resident aliens; and
• Have been accepted for enrollment or be enrolled in a degree program.
  

Selection from each year's eligible applicants is made by the College Scholarship Committee in accord with the following criteria:

• Financial need;
• If accepted for admission to the College, the prospective eligible student must have earned at least 80% average for the first three and one-half years of high school;
• If enrolled at the College, each recipient must have at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average;
• While it is the intent that the recipient will continue to receive such support while enrolled, support will be withdrawn if the students cumulative grade point average is lower than 2.50.
  

This program provides tuition assistance for part-time undergraduates enrolled in degree or certificate programs in New York State. To be eligible for consideration, a student must:

1. Be registered for at least 3 but less than 12 semester hours.
2. Be working toward an undergraduate degree or be enrolled in a registered certificate or approved degree program.
3. Be in good academic standing.
4. Be a New York State resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
5. Have tuition charges of at least $100 per year.

Eligibility is based on the family's prior year New York Taxable Income figure. Dependency status for the APTS program considers whether the student was eligible to be claimed as a tax exemption by his/her parents in the prior tax year.

The amount of APTS awards range from $50 to $250 per semester depending on the Colleges yearly allocation from the State. An award amount cannot exceed the tuition charges.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest EFCs will be the first to get FSEOGs. Just like Pell Grants, FSEOGs don't have to be paid back.

How much can I get?
You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, the funding at the school you're attending, and the policies of the financial aid office at your school.

If I am eligible, how will I get the FSEOG money?
If you're eligible, your school will credit your account, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. Your school must pay you at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters must disburse funds at least twice per academic year.

Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient's course of study.

Will I be paid the same as I would in any other job?
You'll be paid by the hour if you're an undergraduate. No FWS student may be paid by commission or fee. Your school must pay you directly (unless you direct otherwise) and at least monthly. Wages for the program must equal at least the current federal minimum wage but might be higher, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. The amount you earn can't exceed your total FWS award. When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your award amount, your class schedule, and your academic progress.

What kinds of jobs are there in Federal Work-Study?
If you work on campus, you'll usually work for your school. If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest.
Your school might have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal Work-Study jobs. This type of job must be relevant to your course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If you attend a career school, there might be further restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned.