State Aid and Tap Standards for Academic Performance

State Aid and TAP Academic Performance Chart

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Performance Chart applies to all students receiving payments from TAP program.

Good academic standing requirement for New York State financial aid programs consists of both an “Academic Progress” and a “Program Pursuit” component as explained below.

To be eligible for a TAP award, students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits or the equivalent. Courses may be counted toward full-time study only if they are applicable toward a degree. Electives are acceptable when taken in accordance with published degree requirements. A student may take courses not applicable to a degree in a given semester as long as the coursework is above the minimum full-time requirement of 12 credits. Undergraduate students may receive TAP awards for eight semesters; SEEK students may receive TAP awards for 10 semesters.

To receive each TAP payment:

• you must have completed a specific number of credits in the previous TAP semester;

• you must have accumulated a specific number of credits towards your degree;

• you must maintain a specific minimum GPA (grade point average); and

• you must have declared a major by the time you complete 60 credits.

In order to receive TAP and scholarships, a student must meet specific academic standards. Students will be evaluated depending on when they received their first TAP payment and whether they are in a remedial program.

First-Time Tap Recipients 2010-2011 and Later, Non-Remedial

First-Time Tap Recipients 2006-2007 and Remedial Students

Note: Students who believe that they may not meet the new TAP standards should consider registering for additional credits. In all cases, students should weigh the impact of failing or withdrawing from courses on their future eligibility for TAP.

“Remedial student” is defined as student:

1. Whose scores on a recognized placement exam or nationally recognized standardized exam indicated the need for remediation for at least two semesters, as certified by the college and approved by the State Education Department (SED);

2. Who was enrolled in at least six hours of non-remedial courses, as approved by SED, in the first term they received a TAP award;

3. Who is or was enrolled in an opportunity program.

*IMPORTANT NUMBERS: Federal Pell Grant (800) 433-3243; TAP (888) 697-4372; Loan Status (518) 473-1688; RETA (Renewed Eligibility for Financial Aid) (518) 486-7227; Federal Direct Loan (800) 848-0979; USDE (NDSL Perkins Loan Default) (800) 621-3115; Duplicate SAR Applications Status (319) 337-5665.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Students

Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, for ADA students who received their first state award during the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter and who are enrolled less than full-time, good academic standing will be determined using new SAP standards which do not modify the requirements for disabled students but aligns them to be equivalent with those required of full-time students.