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Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)


Important Note for TAP Application 24/25 Academic Year: If you have not already submitted the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must do so in order for your TAP application to be processed.

If you have a question about the FAFSA or TAP application process or you’re having difficulty completing your applications, HESC can help. HESC offers a wide range of virtual events that can connect you with the information, resources, and financial aid experts you need to navigate the college application and financial aid process.

The Tuition Assistance Program is an entitlement program. Awards are noncompetitive and any student who meets the criteria for eligibility will receive funds. All applicants must be a New York State resident and an eligible U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.

Applicants are required to apply annually to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). HESC determines the applicant's eligibility and emails a certificate of eligibility with the amount of the grant directly to the applicant. You may view the HESC web site HERE.

The Lehman College TAP CODE: 1412

Part-Time TAP is a program from New York State that allows for partial TAP payments for students taking 6 to 11 credits. This program is available to CUNY, SUNY and Not-for-Profit independent degree granting college students who meet the specified requirements. To apply you must complete a FAFSA and a TAP application.

To receive Part-Time TAP you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a New York State resident
  • Be admitted into a degree program
  • Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher
  • Register for at least six credit hours, but less than 12 credits
  • Maintain good academic standing

To view more information on Part-Time TAP, click here.

To be eligible for each TAP award, students are required to meet the following criteria:

  • Registered for at least 12 credits (we recommend 15 credits)

    • Students that are registered for Winter courses cannot use those courses towards full-time enrollment for the Spring term.
    • In addition, Winter courses cannot be used to determine Good Academic Standing for the Spring term.
  • Credits counted meet degree requirements as described in the Bulletin
  • Complete a specific number of credits in the previous semester (Elective credits are acceptable when taken in accordance with published degree requirements)
  • Accumulate a specific number of credits towards your degree 
  • Maintain a specific minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Declare a major by the time you complete 60 credits. (If you are repeating a course in order to earn the “C” required for your major, declare your major even though you have not yet completed 60 credits)

NOTE: SEEK students may receive TAP awards for 10 semesters; all other undergraduates may receive TAP awards for 8 semesters.

Students may view the following charts for TAP eligibility requirements based on when a student first received a TAP award and their payment number:

Received FIRST TAP Award Before SUMMER 2006
*SEEK Students are excluded from this chart
To receive Payment number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
You must have completed at least this many credits in the previous payment semester 0 6 6 9 9 12 12 12 12 12
You must have accumulated this many credits toward your degree 0 0 6 18 31 45 60 75 90 105
You must have a GPA of 0 0 1.0 1.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

 

Received FIRST TAP Award in SUMMER 2006 or Later
*This chart is for Non-SEEK and SEEK Students
To receive Payment number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
You must have completed at least this many credits in the previous payment semester 0 6 6 9 9 12 12 12 12 12
You must have accumulated this many credits toward your degree 0 3 9 21 33 45 60 75 90 105
You must have a GPA of 0 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

 

Received FIRST TAP 2010-2011 and Later SEEK
*SEEK Students are excluded from this chart
To receive Payment number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
You must have completed at least this many credits in the previous payment semester 0 6 6 9 9 12 12 12 12 12
You must have accumulated this many credits toward your degree 0 6 15 27 39 51 66 81 96 111
You must have a GPA of 0 1.5 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

You may become TAP ineligible due to one or more of the following reason(s):

  • Have accumulated 60 credits and have not declare a major
  • Repeating a course that cannot be used toward full-time enrollment for TAP eligibility
  • Failed to complete the required amount of credits on your last TAP supported semester
  • Have not earned the required amount of credits for the specific TAP payment granted
  • Do not have the Grade Point Average (GPA) required for this payment

Repeated courses in which you have already received a passing grade cannot be included in fulfilling TAP full time study requirements. Repeated courses may be counted toward the full time study requirement if you repeat a course that you have previously failed or have received a passing grade that is unacceptable in a particular curriculum.

Students looking to receive a Summer TAP award are required to meet the following criteria:

  • Registered full time in the prior Spring semester
  • Earned at least 24 credits from the same institution in the prior two (2) terms
  • Enrolled part time for at least six (6), but fewer than 12 semester hours applicable to the program of study to receive a half-time accelerated payment

These requirements must be met each time an accelerated award is sought. Transferred credits cannot be included in the 24-credit requirement.

Traditionally, TAP is only for full time students. However, ADA Law (Americans with Disability Act) allows certain students with disability limitations to access TAP funding while attending school part time. While receiving ADA TAP, students are required to complete the credits attempted each semester to fulfill the requirement for on-time degree completion.  For more information on the ADA Part Time TAP program, click here.

All students receiving financial assistance through TAP are required to remain in good academic standing as defined under the NYS requirements. TAP regulations permit a one-time TAP waiver to students who fail to remain in good academic standing due to the following extenuating circumstances:

  • Personal illness involving either hospitalization or extended home confinement
  • Illness in the immediate family requiring your absence from classes for an extended period of time
  • Emotionally disabling condition that prevented you from attending classes
  • Military duty, incarceration, or other involvement with agencies of government

NOTE: Normal family responsibilities, work, or fear of failing a class do not meet the above standards.

To complete the TAP waiver, kindly contact the DegreeWorks/FACTS Support Center, via email at TAP.Audit@Lehman.cuny.edu. All waivers must be accompanied by documentation to support the request.

These modules will walk students through the Federal Aid Programs, the NYS Tuition Assistance Program, NYS Excelsior Scholarship, internal and external scholarships, grants, campus employment, and other aid opportunities.

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