Who is eligible: New York State residents enrolled in an Excelsior College degree program and taking three to eleven credits through New York State institutions.

Maximum award: $1,000 per term or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. APTS can not be applied to costs other than tuition.

How to apply: Fax your completed APTS application, a copy of your latest New York State tax return, a copy of your high school diploma or GED (and official transcripts for transfer students) to the Excelsior College financial aid office at (518) 464-8777.

Students must be enrolled in a degree program no later than January 31 to be reviewed for the spring term, or no later than July 31 to be reviewed for the fall term.

Aid for Part Time Study (APTS) Application (PDF)

APTS Handbook

Who is eligible: 

• VVTA: Students must reside in New York State and must meet specific criteria including having served in the U.S. armed forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
• PGVTA: Students must reside in New York State and meet certain specific criteria. This includes having served in the hostilities that occurred in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990, to the end of such hostilities as evidenced by receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, which was awarded from August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995.

Recipients for both programs must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

Costs covered: These awards fund tuition only, for either part-time or full-time study. VVTA and PGVTA are grant programs, and awards do not have to be repaid.

To receive funds: VVTA and PGVTA monies are awarded at the end of the term. Official transcripts must be received before awards will be certified.

Full-time Students

Who is eligible: TAP is for New York State residents with a full-time credit load, defined as successfully completing at least 12 credits per term, and who satisfy TAP financial need criteria. To be eligible for TAP, you must:

• Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Be a legal resident of New York State.
• Study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State (NYS).
• Have graduated from high school in the United States, earned 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 full-time student taking 12 or more credits (applicable toward your degree program) per semester. Be enrolled by January 1 for the Spring term and July 1 for the Fall term.
• Be matriculated in an approved program of study and be in good academic standing.
• Have declared a major no later than within 30 days from end of the add/drop period:
  • In the first term of your sophomore year in an approved two-year program, or
  • In the first term of your junior year in an approved four-year program.
• Meet good academic standing requirements.
• Be charged at least $200 tuition per year.
• Not be in default on any State or federal student loan or on any repayment of State awards.
• Meet income eligibility limitations.

Maximum award: $5,000. TAP awards do not have to be repaid.

How to apply: Visit the Apply for TAP Now page on the HESC Web site for full instructions.

Additional requirements: New York State's Commissioner's Regulations pursuant to Chapter II § 145-2.8 (b) require all students who meet the TAP requirements and are eligible for a TAP award to complete a Study Plan with Excelsior College.  Please fill out the New York State TAP Study Plan (PDF) and fax to Excelsior College at 518-464-8777.

Visit the TAP program page of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Web site for program details.

Part-time Students

Who is eligible: To be eligible for Part-Time TAP, you must:

• Be a first-time freshman in the 2006-07 academic year or thereafter.
• Have earned 12 credits or more in each of the two prior consecutive semesters, for a minimum total of 24 credits earned.
• Be currently taking at least 6 credits at an approved school in New York State.
• Maintain a minimum of a "C" average.

Part-Time TAP awards do not have to be repaid. Visit the Part-Time TAP program page on the HESC Web site for full details.

How to apply: Visit the Apply for TAP Now page on the HESC Web site for full instructions.