Need New York State help - TAP

sybbie719
Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:54:32 +0000

Yes, TAP can only be used for tuition at NYS schools. Even if a student is eligible for “full TAP” of $5,000, they cannot receive more than the cost of tuition,

Also, keep in mind that while student may be independent for federal aid, she may not necessarily be independent for TAP (where you do not totally become independent until you are 35)

The regulations for independent status are different for New York State financial aid. Students are not automatically considered to be independent for the purpose of the TAP
program until they reach the age of 35. To be considered an independent student for TAP, APTS or Part-Time TAP during the 2012–2013 year a student must meet all of the
following conditions:

• Did not and will not live in the parents home or a building
owned or leased by the parents in 2011, 2012 or 2013,
even if he/she paid rent.

• Is or will not be listed as a dependent of the parents on the
2011 or 2012 tax return.

• Did not and will not receive more than $750 in financial
assistance (loans, gifts, etc.) from either or both parents in
2011, 2012 or 2013.

• If the student answers yes to any of the dependency
questions on the TAP application, and is under the age
of 35, he/she must provide parent financial information to
be considered for TAP.

Is student under 22? If yes, they are still considered dependent unless they can do the following





A student who is below the age of 22, as of June 30th of the academic year they are applying, will be considered dependent on their parents unless they meet the special conditions for financial independence. As a dependent student you are required to provide your parent’s income information.

To qualify as an independent student under the age of 22, the student must meet all of the basic conditions of eligibility PLUS one of five special conditions. Acceptable documentation must be submitted as proof. If the documents submitted do not satisfy the special conditions requirements, the student will be denied for financial independence and must submit their parents’ income information.

Students over the age of 35 are automatically processed as an independent regardless of how the financial independence questions are answered.

What are the special conditions and what proof do I need to send?

Special Conditions of Financial Independence

Condition: You are a ward of the court (not including status as an inmate).

Documentation: Copy of a court order making you a ward of the court or appointing a guardian other than your parents.

**Condition: **You are receiving public assistance under your own budget and not as a dependent of your parents.
Documentation: Budget statement or other documentation from a social service official showing receipt of public assistance other than food stamps, unemployment insurance, or Social Security benefits.**Housing Assistance/Budget Letter must be in students name

**Condition: **There has been an involuntary dissolution of your family resulting in relinquishment of your parents’ responsibility and control.
Documentation: A sworn and signed statement from a person other than yourself or your parents (such as a member of the clergy, a social worker, a legal aid representative, or an official at the facility or institution which has accepted responsibility for your control or care) relating to your family circumstances. The statement must include the specific reasons for relinquishment of parental responsibility and control (such as abandonment by the parents, mental and/or physical abuse by the parents, or parents being neither citizens nor residents of the United States), your relationship to the person making the statement, and how that person has direct knowledge of your family circumstances.

Condition: You are a veteran and have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
Documentation: Copy of your DD214 showing an honorable discharge, or other official documentation from the Veterans’ Administration or your branch of the service.

Condition: Parents are deceased, have been certified as having a total and permanent disability, or have been declared incompetent by judicial action.
Documentation: Copies of death certificates, medical certification, and court orders. NOTE: Documentation for both parents is required.



NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - TAP FAQs;