This grant program provides for awards of between $275 and $3085 a year to undergraduate students who are New York State residents enrolled in an eligible program at an institution within the state on a full-time basis. The maximum TAP award cannot exceed 90% of the institution's tuition charges. Awards are based on the family's New York State net taxable income. If more than one member of the family is attending an approved post secondary educational institution on a full-time basis, the net taxable income figure is reduced by $3,000 for the second person when the applicant's TAP award is computed and $2,000 for each additional student.

Undergraduate students may receive TAP for four years of full-time study. Students enrolled in approved five-year programs or in State sponsored opportunity programs may receive undergraduate aid for five years. Graduate students may receive awards for four years, but no student may receive awards for more than a total of eight years of undergraduate and graduate study.

In order to be eligible for this award, a student must have served in the United States armed forces in Indochina between December 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975 or in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990 to the end of such hostilities as evidenced by the receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, been discharged from the service under other than dishonorable conditions, and be a New York State residents. In addition, the recipient must complete the appropriate award supplement, which is available from the Office of Financial Aid or the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, and apply for a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award if a full-time student or a Federal Pell Grant it a part-time student. Full-time awards are $1,000 per semester, and part-time awards are $500 per semester or tuition, whichever is less. The total of all awards received cannot exceed $10,000.

New York State residents who are children of certain deceased or disabled veterans will receive $450 per year, regardless of need, to attend institutions within New York State. Applications are available from high schools or the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. Questions should be referred to your high school guidance counselor.

New York State residents who are children of deceased police officers or firefighters who died as a result of an on-the-job injury after June 30, 1982 are eligible to receive this award. The award is $450 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study. Additional information is available from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

Applications and additional information about this program are available from the Native American Education Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, New York 12234. Applicants must be a member of one of the Native American Tribes with New York State, and have graduated from high school or earned a General Equivalency Diploma. The award is $1350 per year for four years of full-time study. Students registered for less than full-time study will receive approximately $46 for each credit hour.

New York State students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged are admitted to the University's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) on the basis of their prospects for academic success. The University's program enrolls more than 650 new and continuing students each year. An applicant must be: (1) a New York State resident; and (2) academically disadvantaged according to definitions promulgated by the State University; and (3) economically disadvantaged according to guidelines approved by the Board of Regents and the Director of the Budget. Selection of eligible applicants is made by University at Albany personnel in accordance with the New York State regulations that govern the program. The amount of financial assistance provided to eligible EOP participants is dependent on financial need as determined by the University and availability of funds.

These scholarships provide up to $5,000 to New York State residents studying in certain fields leading to licensure in a profession approved by the Regents of the State of New York. Recipients must agree to practice their profession in New York State for at least one year. Preference is given to economically disadvantaged students belonging to a minority group underrepresented in the professions. More information is available from the New York State Education Department, Bureau of Higher Education Testing.

This program provides tuition assistance to undergraduate New York State residents matriculated in a degree program and enrolled for between three to eleven credits per semester. The family New York State taxable income cannot exceed $50,550 in the case of dependent students and $34,250 if the student is independent. Award amounts are determined by the Office of Financial Aid and cannot exceed tuition charges. Applications and additional information are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

This federal grant program provides assistance to matriculated students attending college at least half-time (6 credits) and is designed to help those from lower and certain middle-income families. Eligibility is determined from the information provided on the FAFSA. Award amounts will range up to $2,470 for the 1996-97 academic year.

Any matriculated student aid applicant enrolled at least half-time may obtain this loan. Students with need may obtain the loan on a subsidized basis, which means no interest accrues on the loan while the borrower is in school. Students who do not demonstrate financial need may obtain the loan on an unsubsidized basis, which means they must pay interest while they are in school as well as during repayment. This loan is made by banks, credit unions, and other lending organizations.

First-year students may borrow up to $2,625, sophomores up to $3,500 and junior and seniors up to $5,500 each year. Independent students who are first-year students or sophomores may borrow an additional $4,000 each year on an unsubsidized basis, and an additional $5,000 each year as juniors or seniors The maximum that may be borrowed for undergraduate study is $46,000. At the time the loan is disbursed, an insurance fee and origination fee (currently 3.0%) with have been deducted by the lender from the amount borrowed. The interest rate is variable and may change each year. Currently the rate is 7.46% during repayment for all borrowers and 6.86% during the in-school period for those who have unsubsidized loans.

PLUS loans allow parents of dependent students to borrow from participating banks or other lenders up to the difference between the student's cost of education (the budget referred to earlier) and any financial aid awarded to the student. The loan is not automatic; a credit check is required. Repayment of principal and interest begins within 60 days of receipt of the loan. The interest rate is variable on an annual basis, and is currently 8.46%. A 4% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds.

Applications are available from your lender.

Students receiving this type of assistance must have exceptional financial need. At the University at Albany, this grant normally ranges from $200 to $1,000 each year.

This loan is awarded to students with substantial financial need. Undergraduate students may borrow up to $4,000 each year, and a total of $20,000 for undergraduate studies. Interest does not accrue and payments are not due on the loan during the in-school period. Repayment begins nine months after the student leaves school, and 5% simple interest is charged on the unpaid vbalance of the loan. Under certain conditions, all or part of amount borrowed may be canceled.

A work study award offers the recipient the opportunity to work on campus. The standard hourly rate is the federal minimum wage, but may be higher depending on the type of work performed and experience. Students are paid by check every two weeks.

Eligibility is restricted to students with financial need who are pursuing a four-year degree, are at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut and are enrolled members of a tribe, band or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office. Application must be made each year. In addition, first-time applicants must obtain tribal certification from the appropriate bureau agency or tribal office which records enrollment for the tribe.

(For Veterans and Service Persons Entering Active Duty on or after January 1, 1977).
Veterans who served and service persons currently serving are eligible if they (a) entered active duty after December 31, 1976, and (b) were released under conditions other than dishonorable or continue on active duty but have completed their obligated period of service (or six years of active duty, whichever comes first), and (c) have satisfactorily contributed to the program. (Satisfactory contribution consists of the monthly deduction of $25 to $100 from military pay, up to a maximum of $2700, for deposit in the special training fund.) Participants, while on active duty, may make a lump sum contribution to the fund.

The contributory plan permits the service person to voluntarily participate in a plan for future education or training in which the participant's savings are administered and augmented by the government. (Job training is not available.)
At the time the eligible participant elects to use the benefits to pursue an approved course of education or training, the United States will match the contribution at the rate of $2 for every $1 made by the participant. (The government may also make additional contributions into the fund.) Participants receive monthly payments for the number of months they contributed, or for 36 months, whichever is less. The amount of the payments is determined by dividing the number of months benefits will be paid into the participant's training fund total.

A participant may leave the program at the end of any 12 consecutive month period of participation, and those who do so may have their contribution refunded. Participants have 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty within which to use these benefits. Secondary education is available to service persons eligible under these benefits and may be pursued during the last six months of the participant's first enlistment or at any time thereafter.