The Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies.
This New York State grant program provides aid amounts up to $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) for eligible part-time students enrolled in at least three (3) but fewer than twelve (12) credit hours per semester. An APTS award cannot exceed tuition charges. Students must be enrolled for the entire 15 weeks of the semester for which they are seeking APTS.
To be considered for an APTS award, you must:
- Be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in NYS for at least 12 continuous months prior to the start of the term
- Have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC™) formerly known as 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 part-time student
- Be matriculated in an approved program of study in a participating New York State postsecondary institution
- Be in good academic standing
- Be charged at least $100 tuition per year
- Have not exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility
- Not be in default on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award and be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award
- Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award
- Meet the following income eligibility limitations,* which are based on New York State net taxable income; federal, state, or local pension income; and private pension or annuity income, if applicable, from the preceding calendar year:
- For students who were eligible to be claimed as tax dependents by their parents, family New York State NET taxable income may not exceed $50,550. Family income includes student AND parent income.
- For students who were not eligible to be claimed by their parents as tax dependents, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse's income) may not exceed $34,250. The spouse's income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
- For students who were not eligible to be claimed by their parents but were eligible to claim tax dependents other than self and/or spouse, their New York State NET taxable income (including spouse's income) may not exceed $50,550. The spouse's income must be included if they were married on or before December 31 of the previous calendar year.
* Private pension and annuity amounts are to be included in the calculation of income used for determining APTS award eligibility.
Note: Net Taxable Income refers to that portion of income on which tax is payable after relevant exemptions and deductions have been taken into consideration, as reported on the appropriate New York State Income Tax Return. Individuals are required to report income, including income earned from outside NYS, on their APTS application regardless of whether they filed federal or state taxes, unless the income is not considered taxable by NYS law.
Funding is limited and students are strongly urged to apply early by completing the Aid for Part-Time Study application and submitting it to the Office of Financial Aid along with a copy of the appropriate year NYS Tax Return form for the student, spouse, and/or parents (if applicable). Students must submit all required documentation to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as requested.
New York State Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
NYIT TAP CODE – 2120
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.
To be eligible for Part-Time TAP, you must meet all of the eligibility requirements for TAP. Additionally, students must be taking at least six (6) but fewer than twelve (12) credits per semester to qualify for Part-Time TAP. The Office of the Registrar will review students' academic records for Part-Time TAP eligibility.
To apply for Part-Time TAP, complete the NYS HESC TAP application after completion of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or at hesc.ny.gov.
Part-Time TAP is not the same as Aid for Part-Time Study. Students may qualify for both Part-Time TAP and Aid for Part-Time Study in one semester, provided they meet eligibility criteria.