APTS is limited to New York State residents actively enrolled in an Excelsior College degree program and taking three to eleven credits through New York State institutions. After students meet basic financial and academic eligibility criteria, APTS funds are awarded to those with the greatest financial need to cover the costs of tuition only. APTS awards do not have to be repaid. The maximum award is $1,000 per term or the cost of tuition, whichever is less.

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

Mail your completed APTS application, a copy of your latest NYS tax return, a copy of your high school diploma or GED (and official transcripts for transfer students) to:

Excelsior College
Financial Aid Department
7 Columbia Circle
Albany, New York 12203

These awards fund both part-time and full-time study. VVTA and PGVTA monies are awarded at the end of the term. Official transcripts must be received before awards will be certified. Both programs require having been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

VVTA and PGVTA are grant programs, and awards do not have to be repaid.

VVTA - To be eligible for a 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 - To be eligible for a 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.

TAP helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,000.

TAP awards do not have to be repaid.

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.

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

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.

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.

Please fax a copy of either your high school diploma, GED, or "Ability to Benefit" test results to 518-464-8777, Attention: Financial Aid Office. If your high school diploma is not available we must receive an official transcript directly from your high school in a sealed envelope. This official transcript may be mailed to:

Excelsior College Financial Aid Office
7 Columbia Circle
Albany NY  12203-5159

Part-Time TAP - For students at approved schools in New York State who were first-time, full-time freshmen in 2006-07 may be eligible for Part-Time TAP to help them pay for college beginning in 2007-08. Part-Time TAP is not the same as Aid for Part-Time Study.

Part-Time TAP awards do not have to be repaid.

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.
• Maintain a minimum of a "C" average.

Visit the Part-Time TAP program page on the HESC Web site for full details.

Applying for TAP or Part-Time TAP

Visit the Apply for TAP Now page on the HESC Web site for full instructions.