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Office of the Registrar at Lehman College

 

State Aid Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Registrar has created several frequently asked questions pertaining to State Aid. For additional information about TAP, APTS, and the Dream Act, you may email TAP.Audit@Lehman.Cuny.Edu. For additional information about the Excelsior Scholarship, you may email Excelsior.Audit@Lehman.Cuny.Edu.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

How can I get my TAP if I have accumulated 60 credits and declared a major past the deadline?

Once a student fails to declare a major on or before a deadline, he/she loses TAP for that particular semester. There are no exceptions.

Must the ATB requirement be met before the first day of classes for the term seeking aid?

Students must take the ATB exam within the add/drop period of the term, even if the student is given permission to retake the ATB exam.

How can a first-time state aid recipient become eligible if they do not have a High School Diploma or GED from within the United States?

To become eligible for state aid, the student must pass the ATB exam prior to the census date of the corresponding term, if they do not possess a High School Diploma or GED from within the United States.

Is a home-schooled student eligible for state aid?

Yes. A home-schooled student is eligible for state aid if they have a letter from the District Superintendent, or the student can take and pass an approved ATB Exam or the GED Exam.

Does a student have to take an ATB Exam if they have an Individualized Education Diploma (IEP) diploma?

Yes. A student must pass an ATB Exam. IEP diplomas are not equivalent to a local or Regents Diploma.

Can schools still accept affidavits for students stating that they have a High School Diploma from outside of the United States?

No. Effective July 1, 2006, students without a High School Diploma from the United States must have passed an approved ATB exam.

Would students have to obtain a GED or do the credits alone meet the ATB requirement?

If the student has earned the SED required 24 core credits, they must obtain a GED to prior to the first day of classes to fulfill the ATB requirement

What does it mean to be a “NYS resident” for purposes of receiving this award?

To be a NYS resident for purposes of receiving this award, applicants who consider NYS their permanent home and who are either a U.S. citizen, qualified paroled refugee, or permanent resident alien must have resided in New York State for 12 continuous months prior to the term for which the award is being sought.

How long does it take to process my TAP application once I submit all required documentation?

The processing of a TAP application may take three to five weeks. During certain times of the academic year processing times for "Requests for Information" and "Change Forms" may vary depending on additional review needed for income verification or residency review. Your award should be considered an estimate until your college has certified your eligibility for TAP.

 

Excelsior Scholarship

Can I get an Excelsior Scholarship to pursue a degree if I already have a certificate?

Applicants who have earned a certificate can receive an award to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree, provided they immediately enroll in a two-year or four-year program upon completion of their certificate program, and provided all credits have been accepted by the receiving college.

How much income can my family earn to be eligible for an award?

Your household federal adjusted gross income can total up to $125,000 to be eligible.

 

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

What is Aid for Part-time Study?

Aid for Part-time Study is a New York State grant program for students pursuing a degree on a part-time basis. It is money paid to the school for tuition only.

How many semesters can I receive Aid for Part-time Study?

One semester of Aid for Part-time Study counts as one-half a semester of TAP. You may receive up to 16 semesters of Aid for Part-time Study as a bachelor degree student but no more than your remaining undergraduate TAP eligibility will allow.

 

Senator José Peralta NYS Dream Act

What is the NYS DREAM Act?

The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered student financial aid to support their higher education costs. To be eligible to apply for one or more New York State student financial aid programs, students are required to:

  • Have both attended a New York State high school for at least two years and have received a NYS high school diploma OR received a NYS high school equivalency diploma OR qualified for in-state tuition at SUNY or CUNY colleges.
  • Apply within five years of earning you NYS high school diploma or equivalency diploma if pursuing an undergraduate degree or 10 years if pursuing a graduate degree.
  • Have one of the following citizenship/immigration statuses:
    • Have a T-Visa
    • Have a U-Visa
    • Have Temporary Protected Status
    • Be without lawful immigration status
    • Be a U.S. Citizen whose permanent home is not in New York State
    • Be a paroled refugee whose permanent home is not in New York State
    • Be a Permanent Resident

Can my college share my immigration status with others?

Colleges are prohibited by law from reporting a student’s immigration status without the consent of the student.