Counselor Update - December 2025

December Updates from HESC

Save the Date! NYS College Access Conference – March 12, 2026, Albany, NY The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is excited to host the 2026 NYS College Access Conference on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Albany Capital Center. This one-day, in-person event is dedicated to expanding access and opportunity to higher education across the state.

Created for high school counselors, financial aid professionals, and college access organizations, the conference will provide the tools and insights needed to better support students on their path to higher education. With a national keynote speaker and expert-led workshops, attendees will gain actionable strategies to strengthen student support, boost FAFSA and TAP completion, and navigate the evolving financial aid landscape.

Space is limited. Be sure to mark your calendar and sign up to receive updates on the agenda, event presenters, and registration opening.

Help Shape the Future of College Application Month (CAM)!
As we look ahead to CAM 2026, we’re excited to build on this year’s achievements and explore new ways to empower students in their pursuit of higher education. To help us improve, we invite you to complete the 2025 CAM Questionnaire. Your insights will help us enhance the resources, events, and tools we provide to schools like yours. Thank you for being an integral part of this initiative!

NYS FAFSA Ready Training (FRT) Program for December
This live and on-demand training program helps equip high school counselors, financial aid professionals, and community-based organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to assist students in completing the FAFSA, TAP, DREAM Act, and Alternate Eligibility Pathway applications. Sign up for any of HESC’s upcoming FAFSA Ready Training events:

How to Help Students with Special Circumstances – December 2 at 9:00 am
NYS TAP Application: How to Complete It and Resolve Common Errors – December 8 at 1:30 pm
NYS FAFSA Completion Initiative – December 11 at 12:00 pm
Support Students Through Their FAFSA – December 17 at 1:00 pm
Alternate Pathways to NYS Financial Aid – December 22 at 11:00 am

FAFSA Completion Initiative
The FAFSA Completion Initiative allows HESC to share information on student FAFSA and TAP form completions with schools to encourage completion and target help and resources to students who need them most.

To access your school’s report, your school will first need to complete, sign, and return a Data Access and Security Agreement.

HESC Virtual Student Events

Planning for College:

Year: Navigating College Financial Aid – December 3 and December 18 at 6:00 pm
Creating Your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account - December 4 (Spanish) and December 9 at 4:00 pm
Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Award – December 4 at 6:00 pm and December 16 at 7:00 pm
NYS STEM Incentive Scholarship – December 17 at 6:00 pm

NYS Financial Aid Spotlights:

DREAM Act/Alt Path Support Sessions — December 1 at 5:00 pm and December 17 at 12:00 pm
HESC/APC FAFSA/TAP Completion Event – December 2 at 4:00 pm
HESC Drop-Ins: Get Assistance with Financial Aid Questions December 3, December 10, and December 17 at 1:00 pm
Financial Aid Roadmap to Private Colleges and Universities with RPI and Sage – December 9 at 6:00 pm
Financial Aid Roadmap to SUNY & CUNY – December 10 at 6:00 pm
Financial Aid Options for Military Families in NYS – December 11 at 6:00 pm
HESC FAFSA TAP Completion Event – December 16 at 4:00 pm

Full list of upcoming HESC events.

HESC Text Alerts
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