Governor Hochul Announces Opening of FAFSA, TAP and STEM Applications for 2027-28 Academic Year

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications for the 2027-28 academic year are open for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and New York State Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program. Additionally, the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has opened to all students. Together, these state and federal programs can help reduce the cost of attending college by thousands of dollars. The program's launch coincides with New York's College Application Initiative, which runs from October to November, and helps high school seniors apply to college by waiving application fees.

"Last year, $226 million in college financial aid was left on the table in New York, and that's money our students and families can't afford to miss out on," Governor Hochul said. "Through programs like TAP and the STEM Incentive Program, we're helping put college within reach for more New Yorkers. I encourage every eligible student to apply for financial aid and take advantage of these opportunities. New York is home to some of the nation's finest colleges and universities, and we're focused on making higher education more accessible and attainable while ensuring a world-class education is affordable for every New Yorker."

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Since 1974, TAP has provided approximately $31 billion to 6.3 million New Yorkers. In the 2024-25 academic year alone, HESC distributed more than $778 million in TAP awards to more than 294,000 students across the state. For the 2025-26 academic year, students submitted more than 491,000 TAP applications, and more than 444,000 applications have been submitted so far for the 2026-27 academic year.

Historic changes by Governor Hochul, with the support of the legislature, made TAP available to more students through expanded eligibility. Recent changes to TAP include:

• Maximum award increased by $500 to $5,665 in 2021-22.
• Minimum award doubled from $500 to $1,000 in 2024-25, benefiting roughly 93,000 students in public and private institutions across the state.
• In 2024-25, increased income eligibility for dependent students from $80,000 to $125,000, from $30,000 to $60,000 for married students with no dependents; and from $10,000 to $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents. This resulted in 48,000 newly eligible recipients.

The Governor also expanded TAP to Part-Time students.

The Part-Time TAP program was also expanded to include proprietary colleges, making it accessible to students attending SUNY, CUNY, proprietary, and independent degree-granting colleges on a part-time basis. Students must apply for TAP for the 2026-27 academic year by June 30, 2027, and students seeking TAP for the 2027-28 academic year must apply by June 30, 2028. Students who qualify as eligible non-citizens may also apply for State aid through the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act or the Alternate Eligibility Pathway.

STEM Incentive Program

The STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to high-performing students graduating in the top 10 percent of their New York State high school class who pursue approved STEM degrees at SUNY or CUNY. In the 2024-25 academic year, $7.65 million in STEM funding was awarded to support 1,237 students.

Eligible seniors are encouraged to apply even if they have not yet chosen the college they will be attending. High school seniors interested in the NYS STEM Incentive Program for the 2027-28 academic year must apply by August 15, 2027. Recipients must attend full time and, after graduation, live in New York and work in an approved STEM occupation for five years. Eligibility and application information is available at hesc.ny.gov/stem.

FAFSA Opens Access to Financial Aid

Completing the FAFSA is an important first step toward accessing federal financial aid including Pell Grants, work-study, and student loans, while also determining eligibility for some state and college-based aid that can make higher education affordable. In 2024-25, New York students left more than $226 million in federal financial aid unclaimed by not submitting the FAFSA.

New York students submitted more than 1.4 million FAFSA applications for the 2025-26 academic year, a 10.25 percent increase from the 2024-25 academic year. The Governor's Universal FAFSA Completion initiative first took effect with the graduating Class of 2025. The initiative requires graduating high school seniors to complete the FAFSA, apply for financial aid through the NYS DREAM Act or opt out by completing a waiver. More than 70 percent of the Class of 2026 completed the FAFSA.

The application deadline for FAFSA and TAP for the 2027-28 academic year is June 30, 2028. Those seeking FAFSA and TAP assistance for the 2026-27 academic year must submit their applications by June 30, 2027. The FAFSA is open for the 2027-28 academic year until June 30, 2028, and for the 2026-27 academic year until June 30, 2027.

College Application Initiative (CAI)

The opening of the FAFSA and TAP aligns with the New York State College Application Initiative (CAI). During designated periods this fall, SUNY, CUNY, and participating private colleges and universities across New York State will waive college application fees. Running from October through November, CAI helps high school seniors navigate the college application process, with a focus on first-generation students and those from underserved communities, and a goal of completing at least one college application per student. In addition to saving students and families money, the initiative provides resources and hands-on support to help students complete college and financial aid applications, including the FAFSA and TAP, and take the next step toward higher education.

For a list of participating colleges and more information, visit the College Application Initiative webpage.

New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "Education is often referred to as the great equalizer, yet systemic barriers limit access to educational opportunities. I encourage all eligible students to take the important step of applying for the federal and state aid available to them. These critical resources have allowed countless students to pursue their dreams of attending higher education institutions and eased the financial burden on their families."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris B. González said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to invest in making college more affordable and ensuring cost doesn't stand in the way of opportunity. For that investment to reach the students who need it, they must take the first step and apply for financial aid. I urge every eligible New Yorker to complete the FAFSA and TAP applications and explore the more than two dozen financial aid programs offered through HESC, including specialized opportunities like the STEM Incentive Program. These are opportunities that can change the course of a student's life."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and free college applications help prospective students take the first step in accessing the affordable, excellent education of their dreams. SUNY is proud to promote the College Application Initiative with Governor Hochul and we applaud her commitment to making higher education more accessible for all New Yorkers."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, "CUNY's commitment to affordability hinges on the robust state and federal financial aid that enables 72 percent of our in-state undergraduates to attend tuition-free and 77 percent to graduate with zero debt. With applications now open for FAFSA, TAP, and the STEM Incentive Program, we strongly encourage all students to apply early to secure these vital resources. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in expanding TAP eligibility and ensuring public higher education remains a powerful driver of opportunity for all New Yorkers."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, "Every fall, families sit down at the kitchen table and ask the same question: how will we pay for college? The paperwork can feel overwhelming. It does not have to be. TAP, the STEM Incentive Program and the FAFSA are there to help, and so are counselors and colleges across our state. I encourage every high school senior, and every adult thinking about going back to school, to apply this fall. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to college affordability."

Visit hesc.ny.gov for eligibility details, application assistance, and information about other grants and scholarships.