Important Award Processing Updates

Dear Colleagues,

Below are two important updates related to award processing for the 2024-25, and 2025-26 academic years.

Final Reminder: 2024-25 Academic Year Closeout
This is our final reminder to schools that we are ceasing all 2024-25 academic year award processing on Wednesday, May 27. Closeout activities will begin the week of June 1, during which HESC will decertify any unprocessed certifications and unresolved certification errors for the 2024-25 academic year. Please refer to the closeout bulletins issued in January and April for more details.

2025-26 TAP Award Adjustments: Failed Family Member Enrollment Verification
Under § 663(5) of the New York State Education Law, TAP applicants may qualify for an income adjustment if they have family members enrolled as full-time college students during the same academic year. HESC verifies these claims through several methods, including data from the National Clearinghouse.

HESC concluded family member enrollment verification for the 2025-26 academic last week. If we were unable to confirm a family member’s full-time college enrollment, the associated income adjustment was removed. Depending on the applicant’s income, the loss of the income adjustment may have resulted in a reduction of their 2025-26 TAP award or a total loss of eligibility.

TAP award changes related to failed family member enrollment verification were reported to schools on the 2025-26 Remittance Advice, released on May 1.

Students may appeal the reduction or loss of their 2025-26 TAP award by providing documentation confirming their family member’s full-time college enrollment during the 2025-26 academic year. Acceptable documentation includes an official transcript or a letter from a college Registrar confirming their family member’s full-time enrollment during any term of the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants may upload documentation to us at any time using our student document upload portal.

For questions or assistance, please contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation