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Student Accounts

New York State Aid and Outside Scholarships

New York State Aid (HESC, TAP)

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) administers both state and federally funded student financial aid programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Some programs are administered solely by HESC, while others are administered jointly with other state agencies. See the Grants, Scholarships and Awards Quick Reference pages for information on eligibility and award amounts.

Information about Tuition Assistance

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 in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,000. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

  • TAP is available for students attending SUNY, CUNY, and not-for-profit independent degree-granting colleges on a part-time basis.

    To be eligible for TAP, you must:

    • Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen
    • Be a legal resident of New York State
    • Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State (NYS)
    • Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
    • Be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester
    • Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing
    • Have declared a major no later than within 30 days from end of the add/drop period:
    • in the first term of your sophomore year in an approved two-year program; or
    • in the first term of your junior year in an approved four-year program
    • Meet good academic standing requirements as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
    • Be charged at least $200 tuition per year
    • Not be in default on a student loan guaranteed by HESC or on any repayment of state awards.
    • Meet income eligibility limitations

Special Application Procedures for New York State Awards

Students who wish to apply for TAP should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While completing your FAFSA, you will be prompted to complete your online TAP application at the end of the FAFSA session. When your FAFSA is complete you will be asked to do the following:

  • Establish a HESC PIN (Personal Identification Number) for TAP.
  • You MUST establish your PIN in order to apply, keep track of your application information or make changes.
  • Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated NYS net taxable income will be pre-filled on your application for TAP.

Applications for NYS TAP and scholarships should be made through the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYS HESC). Contact them at 1-(888)-NYS-HESC or visit the New York State HESC website for more information.

The TAP application deadline is June 30 of the academic year for which aid is sought.

Academic Standing Requirements

NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress means the student must pass a certain cumulative number of credits with a certain cumulative QPA prior to receiving each semester's award. A student may receive state aid for a maximum of eight (in some cases 10*) semesters. The following chart outlines the number of credits passed and cumulative QPA a student must achieve in order to be eligible for each semester's state aid award.

Review the following charts for a breakdown of how NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress is determined for New York State aid eligibility purposes:

  • This chart applies to students first receiving aid in 2010-11 through and after:

    Before being certified for this payment you must have accrued at least these many credits with at least this cumulative grade point average.

    • 1st payment – 0 credits – 0.00 GPA
    • 2nd payment – 6 credits – 1.50 GPA
    • 3rd payment – 18 credits – 1.80 GPA
    • 4th payment – 30 credits – 1.80 GPA
    • 5th payment – 45 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 6th payment – 57 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 7th payment – 69 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 8th payment – 84 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 9th* payment – 96 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 10th* payment – 108 credits – 2.00 GPA

    *Note: Only students in five-year programs, approved pursuant to Section 145–2.7 of the State Regulations, are eligible for more than eight semesters of undergraduate awards.

  • This chart applies to students first receiving aid in 2010-11 through and after:

    Before being certified for this payment you must have accrued at least these many credits with at least this cumulative grade point average.

    • 1st payment – 0 credits – 0.00 GPA
    • 2nd payment – 6 credits – 1.30 GPA
    • 3rd payment – 18 credits – 1.50 GPA
    • 4th payment – 30 credits – 1.80 GPA
    • 5th payment – 42 credits – 2.00 GPA
    • 6th payment – 54 credits – 2.00 GPA

Outside Scholarships

The total educational funding a student may receive cannot exceed the student’s total cost of attendance. If the external scholarship exceeds the total cost of attendance, institutional and/or federal funds may be reduced. If the external scholarship is designated “tuition” specific, Pace scholarship funding may require adjustment. Scholarships not designated “tuition” only may be used towards other charges.

Outside award checks made payable to you or to you and Pace University must be endorsed. If a check is made payable to you and/or Pace University, no signature is required.

Please ensure the information you provide on external scholarships includes your name and Pace University ID number. Send all external scholarship award letters and/or scholarship check payments to:

Pace University
Payment Processing Ctr.
861 Bedford Rd.
Pleasantville, NY 10570

External scholarship award letters can be submitted via our Outside Scholarships Submission Form.

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