Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Attention students who receive TAP estimates for the 2007-08 academic year:
The estimate given by Binghamton University in your financial aid offer may differ from the actual award given by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The actual award from HESC will be generated after the budget is passed, and is received and certified by the Student Accounts’ Office. Please note that the actual award may result in a difference of several hundred dollars and is final.
Overview:
New York State residents seeking state-funded assistance must file the Express TAP application. The Express TAP application is a preprinted form that is mailed directly to the student after the FAFSA is filed if the student reports on the FAFSA that they are a NYS resident and plan to attend a school in NY State. The information provided on the Express TAP application is used to determine a student's eligibility for tuition assistance grants.
If you are a New York State resident applying for TAP you may be sent a preprinted Express TAP application after you file the 2007-08 Renewal FASFA or 2007-08 FAFSA. Beginning in 2001-02 most students who filed an Express TAP application (ETA) and received TAP will not be sent an ETA but will be sent a "change form" to confirm that the information used to complete your TAP award is correct. About 40 percent of students will be mailed an ETA to complete and return, rather than a change form (which need not be returned if the information is correct).
The Express TAP application is used to apply for TAP for the Spring, Fall, and Summer of terms. Binghamton University's TAP code is 0880 for Undergraduate, 5450 for Graduate.
TAP provides undergraduate students who are residents of New York State and meet financial criteria with grants from $500 to $4,350 per academic year. Graduate students may receive between $75 and $550.
Limits for minimum and maximum awards are determined by the New York State Legislature.
Students may receive TAP for up to four years of study (eight semesters).
NOTE: Because Summer counts as one of these semesters, students are discouraged from using their TAP aid during the Summer as it may reduce the aid during the school year.
Students must apply for TAP each year by filing both the FAFSA and in most cases an Express TAP application.
TAP Eligibility:
New York State resident and either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or refugee
Matriculation and full-time enrollment in a degree program
Meet income requirements
Demonstrate satisfactory academic progress
Eligibility criteria varies from year to year and is available at the Financial Aid Office
TAP Features:
Apply for TAP on the web.
TAP Award Estimator allows students to learn if they are eligible for a TAP award.
TAP Student Information allows students to check the status of their TAP application and/or their award amount.
TAP Duplicate Forms allows students to request electronically a duplicate of the TAP Change Form, ETA, Request for Information, Residency Affidavit or Award Certificate.
