Published
Counselor Update - November 2025
FAFSA Ready Training
HESC’s FAFSA Ready Training provides the knowledge and practical strategies you need to help guide your students through the financial aid process. These live, interactive sessions are tailored for counselors, community-based organizations, and financial aid professionals who support students in accessing the financial resources they need for college success.
- Alternative Eligibility Pathways: Unlock the secrets to helping more students access college funding with this training on the two alternate pathways to NYS financial aid and how to guide them through eligibility and application!
Register: November 4 at 9:00 to 10:30 am and November 24 at 11:00 to 12:30 pm - NYS FAFSA Completion Initiative: Discover the impact of the NYS FAFSA Completion Initiative database and learn how to track your students’ FAFSA and TAP progress with ease to better guide them toward college success!
Register: November 7 at 12:00 to 1:00 pm - Support Students Through Their FAFSA: Get fully prepared to guide your students through the brand-new 2026-27 FAFSA with a complete walkthrough and the latest updates every professional needs to know!
Register: November 12 at 9:00 to 10:30 am and November 20 at 1:00 to 2:00 pm - How to Help Students with Special Circumstances: Learn how to confidently guide students with unique dependency issues and financial situations by mastering FAFSA and NYS special circumstance processes in this essential counselor training!
Register: November 14 at 9:00 to 10:30 am - NYS TAP Application: How to Complete It and Resolve Common Errors: Master the NYS Tuition Assistance Program with a step-by-step TAP application walkthrough that highlights common student mistakes and shows you how to help them avoid or fix errors with confidence!
Register: November 17 at 1:30 to 3:00 pm
College Application Waiver Fees:
Thank you to all the schools, counselors, teachers, and volunteers who helped make this year’s New York State College Application Month (CAM) so successful!
Although October’s CAM initiative is nearly over, students can still apply to many New York State colleges for free throughout November, and year-round resources are available to support you, your students, and their families with college applications and financial aid. See the full list at hesc.ny.gov/CAM.
Important Reminder – Key Financial Aid Applications are Now Open:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program
HESC Virtual Events That Will Help Your Students:
Planning for College:
- Senior Year: Navigating College Financial Aid
Register: October 30, November 3, November 10, and November 17 at 6:00 pm - Como crear su cuenta StudentAid.gov (La credencial FSA ID)
Register: November 6 and November 20 at 4:00 pm - From Middle School to College: Skills that Set Students Up for the Future
Register: November 17 at 6:00 pm - Creating Your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account
Register: November 18 at 4:00 pm - NYS STEM Incentive Scholarship
Register: November 18 at 6:00 pm - Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Award
Register: November 19 at 6:00 pm - Exploring Job Training & Other Pathways after High School
Register: November 20 at 6:00 pm
NYS Financial Aid Spotlights:
- DREAM Act/Alt Path Support Sessions
Register: November 3 at 5:00 pm and November 19 at 12:00 pm - What are Special & Unusual Circumstances When Completing FAFSA
Register: November 5 at 6:00 pm - College Financial Aid for Veterans and their Dependents
Register: November 6 at 6:00 pm - HESC/uAspire FAFSA/TAP Completion Event
Register: November 13 at 4:00 pm - HESC FAFSA TAP Completion Event
Register: November 24 at 4:00 pm - HESC Drop-Ins: Get Assistance with Financial Aid Questions every Wednesday at 2:00 pm
Full list of upcoming HESC events.
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