New York students and families can now begin applying for major college financial aid programs for the 2027-28 academic year, including FAFSA 2027-28, the New York State Tuition Assistance Program and the state STEM Incentive Program.
The opening gives students an early opportunity to determine what federal and state assistance may be available before college bills arrive.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the opening as New York begins its fall College Application Initiative, which runs through October and November. The initiative includes application-fee waivers at participating colleges and is designed to help more high school seniors complete at least one college application.
Why applying for financial aid matters
State officials say New York students left more than $226 million in federal college aid unclaimed during the 2024-25 academic year because they did not submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA.
“Last year, $226 million in college financial aid was left on the table in New York, and that’s money our students and families can’t afford to miss out on,” Hochul said in announcing the new application cycle.
FAFSA is the federal form used to determine eligibility for Pell Grants, federal work-study programs and student loans. Colleges and some state programs also use FAFSA information when determining financial-aid packages.
What New Yorkers should know about TAP
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program, or TAP, is a grant program that helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in the state. Unlike a student loan, a TAP award generally does not have to be repaid.
According to the state, TAP has provided about $31 billion to 6.3 million New Yorkers since 1974. During the 2024-25 academic year, the Higher Education Services Corporation distributed more than $778 million in TAP awards to more than 294,000 students.
Eligibility has expanded in recent years. The maximum TAP award was increased to $5,665, while the minimum award was doubled from $500 to $1,000 beginning in 2024-25. The state also raised income limits for several categories of students and expanded access for part-time students.
For dependent students, the income eligibility threshold was increased from $80,000 to $125,000. State officials say the broader eligibility rules helped make about 48,000 additional students eligible for assistance.
STEM Incentive Program offers another path
The New York State STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to qualifying students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their New York high school class and pursue an approved science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree at SUNY or CUNY.
In 2024-25, the program awarded $7.65 million to 1,237 students, according to the governor’s office.
There is an important condition: recipients must attend full time and, after graduation, live in New York and work in an approved STEM occupation for five years. Students should review the full eligibility requirements before relying on the award as part of their college financing plan.
Important 2027-28 financial aid deadlines
- FAFSA for 2027-28: Applications are open, with a federal deadline of June 30, 2028.
- New York TAP for 2027-28: Applications are open, with a deadline of June 30, 2028.
- NYS STEM Incentive Program: Eligible high school seniors should apply by Aug. 15, 2027.
Students seeking aid for the current 2026-27 academic year still have time as well. FAFSA and TAP applications for that year are due by June 30, 2027.
Applying early can help families plan
The formal deadlines may appear far away, but students should not assume waiting is the best strategy. Completing aid forms earlier gives families more time to correct errors, provide requested documents and compare financial-aid offers from different schools.
Students should gather Social Security numbers when applicable, tax and income information, records of assets requested by the FAFSA, and information for contributors required under federal FAFSA rules. Families should use official government websites and be cautious about companies that charge unnecessary fees simply to complete forms that are available without charge.
College application fee waivers are also available
The financial-aid opening coincides with New York’s College Application Initiative. During designated periods this fall, SUNY, CUNY and participating private colleges and universities are waiving application fees.
The initiative places particular emphasis on first-generation students and students from underserved communities. For families in Utica, Rome and across the Mohawk Valley, application-fee waivers can reduce one of the immediate costs of applying to several colleges.
A practical checklist for students and parents
- Create or confirm the federal StudentAid.gov accounts needed to complete FAFSA.
- Complete the 2027-28 FAFSA as early as practical.
- Review New York TAP eligibility and submit the state application.
- If the student qualifies academically and plans to pursue STEM at SUNY or CUNY, review the STEM Incentive Program requirements.
- Check each college’s own financial-aid deadlines, which may be earlier than federal or state deadlines.
- Keep copies of submitted forms, confirmation pages and requests for additional documentation.
Financial aid can make the difference between a college that looks affordable on paper and one that is actually manageable for a family. The most important first step is simply to apply. Students who are unsure whether they will qualify should not assume the answer is no before completing the forms.
Eligibility details and application help are available through the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation and the federal StudentAid.gov website.
Source: Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.
