NYU students meet with Senator Montgomery to discuss financial aid and issues impacting access to higher education in New York State
February 13, 2018
Senator Montgomery welcomed a delegation of NYU students to Albany to discuss their concerns regarding the 2018-2019 budget and its impact on financial aid programs. Students, administrators, faculty and staff meet with legislators to discuss financial aid funding and higher education as part of New York Student Aid Alliance Advocacy Day, .
More than 370,000 New Yorkers count on state student aid programs to meet their college expenses each year. New York State student aid and opportunity programs include:
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
- Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) / Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP)
- Liberty Partnerships Program
- Enhanced Tuition Awards
In the 2018-2019 Executive Budget, the Governor proposes:
HESC/TAP Funding
The Executive Budget proposes $1.2 billion in All Funds appropriations for the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). This includes $1.1 billion for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). This TAP appropriation includes $27 million for the DREAM Act and $118 million for the first phase of the Excelsior Scholarship (Free Tuition proposal).
- $928.6 million for tuition assistance;
- $27 million in additional tuition assistance to fund the DREAM Act;
- $23 million in additional tuition assistance to fund the second phase of the Enhanced Tuition Award Program;
- $118 million in additional tuition assistance to fund the Excelsior Scholarship Phase II;
- $14.4 million is funding for tuition assistance for part-time students; and
- $59.7 million for the various scholarships and programs administered through HESC.
To learn more about the Executive Budget's proposal and its impact on higher education, visit https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/new-york-state-senate-democratic-conference-staff-analysis
For more information about the New York State Student Aid Alliance, visit https://nystudentaidalliance.org/advocacy-day
To learn more about Senator Montgomery's work on higher education opportunity programs, visit