Alternate Eligibility Path
The 2026–27 Alternate Eligibility Path applications are now open.
This application is designed for students who are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, but at least one of the student’s family members who is a required FAFSA contributor is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
New York State recognizes that sharing personal information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be a concern for students whose family members have a different immigration status. The Alternate Eligibility Path offers another way for eligible students to apply for NYS financial aid without submitting the FAFSA.
What to know
- There are three ways students can access NYS financial aid: the FAFSA, the NYS DREAM Act, or the Alternate Eligibility Path. FAFSA is the traditional starting point for both federal and state assistance, but the NYS DREAM Act and Alternate Eligibility Path provide another way to access state-administered aid for qualifying applicants.
- The Prescreening Tool can help you and your family determine which application is the best option for your situation. Register or log in to your NYS DREAM (ISTS) Account to get started.
Key Points to Consider
The Alternate Eligibility Path gives eligible students another way to access NYS financial aid without completing the FAFSA. It can be a helpful option, but it is important to understand what it does and does not provide.
Not a financial aid program. The Alternate Eligibility Path is not a separate financial aid program. It is an application that allows eligible U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to apply for New York State-administered financial aid without filing the FAFSA. Once approved through the Alternate Eligibility Path, students can apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and state-administered grants and scholarships through this account.
Does not provide federal aid. The Alternate Eligibility Path does not provide access to federal student aid. Only the FAFSA can be used to apply for federal programs such as Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans.
Ineligible for Excelsior or Enhanced Tuition Award programs. Alternate Eligibility Path applicants may be eligible for many NYS grant and scholarship programs. However, they are not eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship or the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) due to statutory requirements. Students wishing to apply for Excelsior or ETA should complete a FAFSA or NYS DREAM Act application.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three ways students can access NYS financial aid: the FAFSA, the NYS DREAM Act, or the Alternate Eligibility Path. Use the Prescreening Tool to help you and your family determine the best option for your situation. By answering a series of questions, the tool identifies the best option to use for accessing state-administered financial aid.
Alternate Eligibility Path applicants may be eligible for many NYS grant and scholarship programs. However, students are not eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship or Enhanced Tuition Award through this application due to statutory requirements. Students seeking federal aid must complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal aid programs.
Alternate Eligibility Path applicants can still decide to complete the FAFSA to access federal and state-administered aid. Questions can be emailed to: [email protected]
Only limited data is stored. A unique Student ID is assigned instead of using your Social Security Number. Your state and zip code are required but a street address field is excluded from the application.
Resources
Alternate Eligibility Pathways Fact Sheet - en español - Discover two additional ways to access NYS financial aid. Here we outline essential details on the eligibility requirements and application process for the NYS DREAM Act and the Alternate Pathway.
Path Determination Guide - Learn what each statement means so that students select the right statement and fill out the correct alternate application.
Alternate Path Quick Tips - 5 things that students should know when filling out the Alternate Path application.
Alternate Eligibility Application Guide - This step-by-step guide takes you through the Alternate Pathway eligibility application form from start to finish. It contains key points to consider when filling out the application and provides avenues for students to get help should they need it.
How To Change Information - A step-by-step guide will help students who need to make changes to the TAP application through the DREAM Act Portal.
Resources for DREAM Act & Alternate Pathway - Discover additional financial aid & community resources to help you thrive in your higher education journey!