NYS Financial Aid Awareness Month Empowers Over 163,000 Students To Take Steps Toward Their College Education

Statewide Efforts Drive Over 1 Million FAFSA Submissions and 241,841 TAP Applications for the 2026-27 Academic Year, Expanding Access to Financial Aid Resources, and Strengthening Support for Students

534 Professionals Trained and 3,400 Students Supported Through Events and Personalized Assistance in April

ALBANY, NY – The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) today highlighted the success of Financial Aid Awareness Month 2026 and reaffirmed New York State’s commitment to breaking down barriers to higher education. This year’s Financial Aid Awareness month campaign, titled “You Belong,” made a significant impact in April by helping students and families navigate the financial aid process and access the resources they need to succeed.

During April, increased awareness and support efforts led to more than 163,000 students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and 35,000 students submitting applications for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Key Achievements of Financial Aid Awareness Month 2026

Increased FAFSA and TAP Applications: For the 2025-26 academic year, FAFSA submissions have already reached 1.42 million, and for the 2026-27 academic year, submissions are more than 1 million, putting New York State at 6th in the nation for FAFSA completions — a clear indication that New York is meeting the growing demand for financial support. Similarly, TAP applications for the 2025-26 academic year have climbed to 482,470 with 241,841submissions already received for the 2026-27 academic year.

Students attending college for the 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic years can apply for TAP through June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027, respectively. Students should also complete their FAFSA by these deadlines to ensure access to available financial aid resources.

Students who do not meet citizenship or residency requirements can apply for NYS financial aid through the NYS DREAM Act.
Statewide Events and Personalized Support: HESC provided support to approximately 3,400 students and families who attended statewide events and received one-on-one support to complete their FAFSA and TAP applications, along with valuable information about financial aid programs and resources to make college more affordable and accessible.
FAFSA Ready Training: Managed by HESC, the FAFSA Ready Training program, plays a pivotal role in equipping educators, counselors, and community leaders with the tools to assist students in completing their FAFSA and TAP applications. In April, HESC trained 534 school counselors, community leaders, and financial aid professionals, empowering them to provide critical support to students in their communities.
FAFSA Dashboard: In April, HESC launched a new, interactive tool providing real-time insights into FAFSA completion rates across New York. This resource allows users to compare state and national completion rates and access detailed data at the high school, district, regional, and legislative levels, enabling targeted outreach and student success initiatives. Since its launch, the dashboard has already garnered more than 13,000 visits, reflecting its value as a critical resource for educators, counselors, and community leaders working to improve FAFSA completion rates statewide.
Financial Aid Navigator: Also launched in April, the Financial Aid Navigator is a powerful tool that guides students through a series of questions about their academic plans, residency, and household information to generate a personalized list of New York State financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance opportunities. This tool has already enabled tens of thousands of students to discover which grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs they may qualify for, ensuring they maximize their financial aid.

Financial Aid Awareness Month, led by HESC in partnership with SUNY, CUNY, New York State Education Department, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities and the Association of Private Colleges reflect the state’s ongoing efforts to close the financial aid gap and ensure that students and families are equipped with the tools and support necessary to make higher education affordable and attainable.

As part of broader statewide outreach during Financial Aid Awareness Month, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited SUNY community colleges, including Finger Lakes and Cayuga Community Colleges, through the SUNY Reconnect Tour to raise awareness about financial aid opportunities for adult learners through the Opportunity Promise Scholarship program. Launched at the start of the Fall 2025 semester, the program covers tuition, fees, books, and supplies for eligible adults, ages 25-55, pursuing degrees in high-demand fields attending a SUNY or CUNY college.

To further support adult learners and address workforce needs, the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 Executive Budget includes an additional $12.5 million to expand the Opportunity Promise Scholarship program. This funding will extend eligibility to students with prior undergraduate degrees who choose to pursue a nursing degree and will broaden the list of qualified fields of study, offering students more career options while addressing workforce shortages in critical areas.

Doris B. González, Acting President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation said, “Financial Aid Awareness Month reflects an unwavering commitment of the HESC team to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process, and we are so proud of the impact it has had on students and families across New York State. By offering hands-on support, innovative resources, and targeted training, we are removing obstacles and opening doors to higher education. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are fostering opportunities for students across New York to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.”

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "Students who wish to pursue higher education deserve a clear, supported pathway, regardless of their background or circumstances. Public awareness initiatives like Financial Aid Awareness Month and the ‘You Belong’ campaign expand access to the information, guidance, and resources students need to navigate the financial aid process with confidence. When we remove barriers to financial aid, we expand opportunity, strengthen our communities, and make clear that college is within reach for every student who decides to take that next step.”

State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker. From free community college for working adults through Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative to the rich array of programs offered at our community colleges, tech colleges, comprehensive colleges, and university centers, completing the FAFSA unlocks SUNY’s affordable excellence and represents a pathway to upward mobility. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her continued support of initiatives that help New Yorkers achieve their dreams and remove barriers to higher education."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “At CUNY, financial aid is an indispensable driver of equity and opportunity. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and sustained investments by New York State, more than 70 percent of our students pay no tuition, and nearly 80 percent graduate without debt. Financial Aid Awareness Month underscores the importance of ensuring that students and families complete the FAFSA and TAP applications, so their college dreams remain affordable and attainable.”

Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “Financial Aid Awareness Month has shown what’s possible when we meet students with the right information, tools, and support. We commend Governor Hochul and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation for their leadership in expanding access to financial aid and helping more students take meaningful steps toward college. The growth in FAFSA and TAP applications reflects real momentum—but it also underscores the importance of continued outreach and support. New York’s private, not-for-profit colleges are proud to partner in this work to ensure every student has a clear path to opportunity and success.”

Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, "Governor Hochul and HESC leaders have taken great strides towards breaking down barriers to higher education in New York State. Financial Aid Awareness Month extends yet another opportunity for all four sectors to work together to promote the valuable tools and resources available to students and families as they navigate the financial aid process."

Scholarship Opportunities for High-Need Careers

Governor Hochul continues to prioritize preparing New York’s future workforce for high-demand job areas through scholarship opportunities. Financial Aid Applications are now open for the following programs for the 2026-27 academic year:

NYS Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship: This program supports students pursuing a master’s degree in education who commit to teaching in New York State for at least five years after graduation.
NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program: Open to full-time undergraduate or graduate students, this program is designed for those pursuing careers as math or science teachers in secondary education. Recipients must agree to teach math or science in New York State for at least five years.
NYS STEM Incentive Program: Available to students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class, this program supports those interested in pursuing careers in high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

These scholarship programs aim to address workforce shortages in critical fields while supporting students in achieving their career aspirations. For eligibility criteria and to apply visit https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships.

For more information on Financial Aid Awareness Month, New York State financial aid programs, events, and resources, visit hesc.ny.gov.