New York State Aid | Lehman College

The NYS Excelsior Scholarship Application for the FALL 2025 is now open. The application deadline is August 31, 2025. To apply, visit the NYS Excelsior website by clicking here.

NYS TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is an entitlement program. Awards are noncompetitive and any student who meets the criteria for eligibility will receive funds. All applicants must be a New York State resident and an eligible U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.

Applicants are required to apply annually to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). HESC determines the applicant's eligibility and emails a certificate of eligibility with the amount of the grant directly to the applicant. You may view the HESC web site HERE.

The Excelsior Scholarship is a New York State funded grant program, when combined with other grants/scholarships, will allow eligible full-time students to attend Lehman College, tuition free. Click here for more information.

The New York State legislature mandated an eligibility requirement, the Ability to Benefit or ATB Exam, which may impact the student's award under the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). This regulation affects students who earned their high school diploma outside the United States and who are scheduled to receive their first TAP award beginning Fall 2006 or later. For more information about ATB, click here.

The Senator Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act (DREAM Act) allows undocumented and other eligible students to apply for New York State financial aid. Students who meet the NYS DREAM Act's eligibility requirements will be able to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs.

For more information, click here.

The DREAM Act Application is available here.

FACTS (Financial Aid Eligibility & Certification Tracking System) is a web-based Financial Aid advisory tool that will help you track your eligibility for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), and selected HESC scholarships.

For more detailed information about our FACTS system, click here.

The Office of Financial Aid has created several frequently asked questions pertaining to State Aid. For additional information about all State Aid Programs, you may email tap.audit@lehman.cuny.edu.

For more information about our FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions), click here.

Navigating the Federal and State Aid process can be very confusing for students and their families. That's why we have prepared these modules to walk you through Federal Aid Programs, the NYS Tuition Assistance Program, NYS Excelsior Scholarship, internal and external scholarships, grants, campus employment, and other aid opportunities.

For full descriptions of each Financial Literacy Module, click here.