Published
New York State’s “College Application Initiative” is Right Around the Corner! Registration for the 2026 College Application Initiative (CAI) is open, and we invite your school to be part of one of New York's most impactful college access efforts. Schools select a participation period during October and November that best fits their calendar.
Register your school today and download the College Application Resources Handbook, your step-by-step guide to planning and implementing CAI.
- NYS Colleges Will Waive Application Fees!
HESC is partnering with SUNY, CUNY, and many private and independent colleges to offer college application fee waivers during CAI. Participating schools will waive their application fees during the two-month period (October-November), with each school choosing its own dates. Last year alone, New York families saved more than $15 million in application fees.
Listing of Participating Colleges Coming Soon!
FAFSA Just Got Faster
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid just launched “real-time estimates” for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
This will enable most students to create a StudentAid.gov account, complete the FAFSA form, and receive results in as little as 15 minutes! Previously, students waited up to three days after submission to receive their Student Aid Index (SAI) and Federal Pell Grant eligibility.
Haven’t submitted your 2026-27 FAFSA and NYS TAP yet? Apply today to maximize your financial aid opportunities.
Students eligible for NYS financial aid through the NYS DREAM Act can submit their TAP application through the NYS DREAM Act portal.
Financial Aid Program Reminders!
- 2026-27 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Scholarship
Deadline: August 15, 2026
Important STEM Application Reminders:
- Students must rank within the top 10.0%of their high school graduating class. Only a class rank of 10.0% or lower qualifies. HESC does not round class rank, so a rank of 10.4% is not eligible.
- The verification form must be completed by the student's school counselor as part of the application.
- Students are encouraged to upload their STEM supporting documents through their HESC portal. If a school counselor submits documents on a student’s behalf, they should email [email protected].
- The deadline for counselors to submit STEM documents is August 30, 2026.
- Excelsior Scholarship for the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Students from families earning $125,000 or less can attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.
Deadline: August 31, 2026
- Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) – 2026-2027 Academic Year
ETA provides eligible New York State students up to $6,000 in tuition assistance at participating private colleges in New York State.
Deadline: August 31, 2026
- For both Excelsior and ETA programs, counselors should encourage students to:
- Apply early.
- Review current program eligibility requirements.
- Complete all required financial aid applications.
- Monitor HESC communications for application status updates and documentation requests.
- For both Excelsior and ETA programs, counselors should encourage students to:
👉 View all Grants and Scholarships Opportunities
Upcoming HESC Virtual Events for Parents and Students
- Get Support with your DREAM Act & Alternate Pathway Applications
- Understanding the NYS STEM Incentive Program
- August 4 – 6:00 p.m.
Let HESC experts walk you through this scholarship geared toward students pursuing emerging careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
- August 4 – 6:00 p.m.
- Complete Your FAFSA/TAP with HESC
- August 25 – 4:00 p.m.
Get expert advice on completing or updating financial aid applications.
- August 25 – 4:00 p.m.
👉 View full list of upcoming HESC events.
Got Questions? Call HESC!
You can call HESC directly for financial aid assistance, general questions, or to reset your HESC PIN.
- Call us: 1-888-697-4372
- Visit: hesc.ny.gov for more resources.
Important: To protect the privacy of all students, students must be present during the call when requesting to reset a pin or resolve issues with their HESCPin account.
Counselors interested in hosting financial aid events should continue reaching out to HESC at [email protected], as this process remains unchanged.
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