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Students interested in applying for financial aid sponsored by New York State must complete a FAFSA and then a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application, if they intend to enroll as full-time students, or by completing the New York State Aid for Part-Time Study application (APTS), if they intend to enroll as part-time students. For more information, go to www.hesc.com and www.tapweb.org. The TAP Grant is administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation (H.E.S.C.)

To start the TAP application process you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. New York State will use FAFSA information as part of your application for TAP. If you apply using FAFSA-on-the-Web, you will be able to link to your online TAP application at the end of the FAFSA session.

You will be asked to establish a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for TAP. The TAP PIN will allow you to complete your application,keep track of your application information, or make changes later. After establishing your PIN, you will be able to complete your TAP application online. Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated New York State net taxable income will be pre-filled on your TAP-on- the -Web application. Follow the instructions provided.

If you choose not to apply online, HESC will mail you an Express TAP Application (ETA). Information from your FAFSA and your family's calculated New York State net taxable income will be preprinted on your ETA. Review this information, change any incorrect items, complete any missing items, then SIGN AND MAIL THE FORM USING THE RETURN ENVELOPE.

If you have previously received TAP and your information remains the same, you may only have to file a FAFSA to receive an award.

If you provide an e-mail address on your FAFSA, HESC will use that address to contact you about your TAP application, give you processing updates, or award information. Please respond to any requests or instructions sent by HESC.  You can check the status of your TAP at any time at www.hesc.com

The TAP application deadline is June 30 of the academic year for which aid is sought.

Graduates Of High Schools Outside Of The United States

Students first receiving state aid in 2006-07 who do not have a certificate of graduation from a recognized school within the United States providing secondary education (a high school diploma or recognized equivalent), must obtain a “passing score on a federally approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test that has been independently administered and evaluated as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department” in order to receive New York State funded grants or scholarships, including Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards and the Aid for Part-Time Study Grant. The placement test used by NCC for incoming students, Accuplacer, is a federally approved ATB test.

You must take the ATB test prior to the end of the college’s add/drop period. To schedule an Ability to Benefit test contact the Placement Testing Office at 516-572-9604 or placementtesting@ncc.edu. Questions regarding financial aid can be e-mailed to financialaid@ncc.edu.