Office of Financial Aid

New York State Awards

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Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a program of academic support and financial assistance for students who demonstrate the potential for success, but whose academic and financial circumstances would normally not provide that educational opportunity. EOP is a limited enrollment program, and it does not require a separate application. Students are reviewed for EOP eligibility by the Financial Aid Office at the time their first financial aid package is completed. Students must be admitted to EOP their first semester. Students who plan to transfer later to another college as an EOP or HEOP student must be accepted into the EOP program at SCCC during their first semester.

If eligible, students may receive an EOP award for up to six semesters at a two year college. The average EOP award has been $275.00 per academic year.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

New York State residents who are full-time matriculated students may qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program. For eligible students, awards range from a minimum of $500 to a manimum of $2,890 per year.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain and complete the necessary application form for the Tuition Assistance Program. Students begin the application process with the FAFSA. They will be mailed an Express TAP Application for their review and signature. Any student who does not receive the application by the end of May may obtain one from New York State Higher Education Services Corporation by calling 1-888-697-4372. Applications should be filed as soon as they are received by the student. Students must reapply each year. Additional information on TAP regulations and student eligibility requirements are available at http://www.hesc.com

Minimum Academic Eligibility Standards for NYS TAP Awards:

This table illustrates SUNY's minimum standards for pursuit of program and satisfactory progress for purposes of determining eligibility for New York State financial aid. To be eligible for state awards, both standards must be satisfied. In addition, the student must be matriculated and in good academic standing as defined by the College, and the student must be taking a minimum of 12 credits per semester in courses that satisfy requirements in the students academic program. If a student is repeating a course that was previously completed with a passing grade, that course cannot be counted for purposes of New York State awards.

* A grade of "W" or "FX" does not constitute credit completed.
The requirements above are for full time students and would be prorated for part time students eligible for APTS or part time TAP.

Waiver

Provisions have been made for students who do not meet the requirement for program pursuit and/or academic progress to apply for a one-time only waiver. According to SED waiver guidelines, a student may ask for and receive a one-time waiver if the student can document that extraordinary or unusual circumstances prevented him/her from achieving the above-described minimum standards. Waiver requests are available in the Office of Academic Services.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Applicants must be undergraduate New York State residents enrolled for three to 11 semester credits. Students must be in good academic standing, which includes at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. In addition, students are not eligible for APTS if they have utilized all semesters of eligibility in the TAP program. If a student was claimed or was eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent, the New York State net taxable income for the family (parents, student and spouse) can be up to $50,500. If a student was not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent, the New York State net taxable income of the student and spouse together can be up to $34,250.

Annual awards at Schenectady County Community College can range up to $2,000. Students seeking assistance for part-time study must complete the FAFSA and the APTS application available in the SCCC Financial Aid Office.

New York National Guard Tuition Incentive Program

The New York National Guard Tuition Incentive Program will pay up to the full cost of tuition at the College to eligible Army or Air National Guard members who meet the following conditions:

• New York State resident
• Matriculated student in a degree program
• Enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester
• Must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0
• Applicants must apply for all available tuition assistance grants
• Applicants must be approved by their National Guard units.

Child of Disabled Veteran

The "child of veteran" awards will be granted to all candidates who are children of deceased or disabled veterans with 50% or more service-connected disability. Such disability must have occurred during the following periods:

• April 16, 1917 - November 11, 1918
• December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
• June 25, 1950 - July 27, 1953
• October 1, 1961 - March 29, 1973

In addition, the recipient must be a resident of New York State and a citizen of the United States. The annual award will be $450. Applications may be obtained from

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
Office of Grants and Awards
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12255

Assistance for Native Americans

Students who are members of one of the several Indian tribes located within New York State, and who are residents of a reservation, may be eligible to apply for one of these grants. Information and/or applications may be obtained from

Native American Education Unit
New York State Department of Education
Education Building Unit
Albany, New York 12234

Important: Effective September 1, 1981, all students who receive state awards must be pursuing a program of study and making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the program's academic requirements.