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Financial Aid



SUNY Orange participates in most major federal and state financial aid programs and offers institutional scholarships as well. All students are urged to file the free application for financial aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. You can complete the FAFSA to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the PELL Grant, student loans, and federal work study. The FAFSA is available on the FAFSA website.

Financial aid is available in many forms: grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities. Federal, state, and local guidelines determine the amount and types of financial aid offered to individual students. To finalize eligibility, all required documents must be submitted. You must reapply each year for most of these programs. Students usually are offered financial aid packages consisting of a combination of grants, scholarships, employment and loans. Grants and scholarships are considered "gift" assistance and need not be repaid. Loans are offered at low interest rates and can be repaid over an extended period of time beginning six months after the student graduates or enrolls for less than 6 credits at the College. If you are offered aid in the form of a job (Federal Work-Study), it is paid at an hourly rate.

College Costs

The direct costs that all full-time SUNY Orange students must pay each academic year are: 

Cost Type Commuter  Out of State
Direct Student Cost $7,934 $13,598

Additional indirect educational costs that students should consider:

 Cost Type Commuter  Out of State
Room and Board $7,838 $78,838
Transportation  $3,194 $3,194
Personal  $1,898 $1,898
Total (including direct costs) $20,864 $26,528
  • The above indirect costs are approximate and are used by SUNY Orange to determine the need for financial aid. All figures are subject to possible change.
  • Tuition is based on the cost for the current school year.
  • All Direct Cost figures above are subject to possible change.
  • Double tuition is charged to out-of-state students and international students.
  • The above Estimated Costs are used by SUNY Orange to determine the need for financial aid.
  • If an independent student is living with a non-parent family member who is supplying room and board, the student’s Financial Aid budget will be adjusted accordingly.
  • Students who have costs for child care should submit proof of those additional expenses.

General Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on many factors. To receive aid from the federal and state student aid programs offered at SUNY Orange, you must satisfy the following:

  • be officially admitted
  • have a high school diploma or a GED
  • be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident
  • meet the minimum academic criteria specified for each financial aid program (see “Federal Standard for Satisfactory Academic Progress” in this section)
  • have a valid Social Security number
  • not owe a Federal PELL, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National Smart, Teach Grant, or FSEOG over-award
  • not be in default on a Federal Direct Loan
  • be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • all credits must apply to the degree major
  • must attend courses for which you have registered

General Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on many factors. To receive aid from the federal and state student aid programs offered at SUNY Orange, you must satisfy the following:

  • be officially admitted
  • have a high school diploma or a GED
  • be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident
  • meet the minimum academic criteria specified for each financial aid program (see “Federal Standard for Satisfactory Academic Progress” in this section)
  • have a valid Social Security number
  • not owe a Federal PELL, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National Smart, Teach Grant, or FSEOG over-award
  • not be in default on a Federal Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Loan
  • be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • all credits must apply to the degree major
  • must attend courses that you are registered for

How to Apply for Financial Aid

This information is provided as a guide and is subject to change without notice to comply with federal, state, and institutional policies.

  • You can only receive financial aid at one college at a time. A Financial Aid Application must be completed to be considered for all types of grants, loans, scholarships, and work opportunities at SUNY Orange. Some awards and grants may require additional forms. To apply, take these steps:
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Submit the FAFSA application online at the FAFSA website:
  • When completing the FAFSA, be sure to list SUNY Orange's name and school code 002876. The college address is 115 South , Middletown NY 10940. Submit the completed and electronically signed FAFSA to the Federal Central Processor.
  • You should receive a FAFSA submission Summary (FFS) within 3 weeks after submitting your application to the processor. Students are able to check the status and view the results from the FAFSA application online. You should retain the FFS in your personal files.
  • If SUNY Orange is listed on the FFS, the Financial Aid Office will receive the student's FFS electronically. Three weeks after submitting the FAFSA application, you should check your “MySUNYOrange” account for receipt of an electronic FFS.
  • Your FAFSA may be selected in a process called verification, and the school may request certain financial documents.

You should respond quickly to all correspondence received from the Financial Aid Office. Documents are processed in the order they are received.

After the Financial Aid Office receives your FFS and all requested information, the staff will:

  • Review the information.
  • Make an award based on eligibility and availability of funds.
  • Send a preliminary award letter to first-time freshmen.
  • Sophomores are directed to view their awards online and print the award letter at your “MySUNYOrange” account. The award letter lists the types and amounts of aid awarded.
  • The award letter may also list additional requirements that you must fulfill before funds can be disbursed.
  • Your awards may change after the verification process, or changes in enrollment. If this occurs you will receive an e-mail notification directing you to your MySUNYOrange Award Letter page.

You should keep your award letter with your FFS. You must keep your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number current with the Student Accounts Office on campus. When a student is determined to be eligible for financial aid, tuition and fees may be covered to the extent of the aid, provided the student's financial aid file is completed by the target due date. If the aid is not sufficient to cover tuition and fees, the student is responsible for the balance, which is due by the officially published payment due date. If the aid exceeds the cost of actual tuition and fees, a refund will be issued to the student from the Student Accounts Office (See published disbursements dates on the Office’s web pages).

Summer Sessions

Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further information on requirements for summer financial aid. Please visit our website at www.sunyorange.edu/financialaid

Award Package Offering

  • Once you have been awarded aid, you will receive an award letter that lists the various types of aid you are eligible to receive during the award year. Awards are based on full-time (12 or more credit hours) status; some awards may be adjusted if you do not enroll as a full-time student. However, aid will automatically be pro-rated at the time of disbursement if you are not full-time. If it is determined that you are not eligible for aid after it is awarded, the Financial Aid Office is required to adjust your awards.
  • All FAFSA Submissoin Summaries go through a review process before any aid is disbursed. If a student is selected for verification all required documents must be submitted and verified with the information on the FAFSA Submission Summary before any disbursements can be finalized. The college must have a correct FAFSA Submission Summary with complete information by their last day of enrollment for each FAFSA year. NYS TAP grants are automatically reviewed. Students may be awarded grants, scholarships, work study and federal subsidized and unsubsidized loan funds up to the cost of college attendance. These loan programs require you to accept your loans on your MySUNYOrange web pages. You will need to go to https://studentloans.gov web site to fill out an Electronic Master Promissory Note, and Entrance Counseling. Students who apply by the priority processing due date will be considered for all available funds. Some funds are limited and are awarded to eligible students based on greatest need and meeting the April 15 deadline.

Evaluating Your Award Package

  • You should evaluate your award package carefully.
  • Remember: loans must be repaid.
  • Be sure to check whether or not your living expenses will be as high as the estimated allowance projected by your school; if they aren’t, you may need to adjust your borrowing.
  • To get an idea of your college expenses, use the Net Price Calculator under the Helpful links section on our Financial Aid homepage.
  • To get an idea of your monthly loan payments after you graduate, see the Repayment Calculator at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/ repay-loans.
  • You have the right to decline the loan or to request a lesser amount.
  • Remember that loan money must be paid back with interest. You should only borrow as a last resort.

Federal Standard For Satisfactory Academic Progress

SUNY Orange is required to monitor the academic progress of each applicant and certify that the applicant is making satisfactory academic progress toward earning their degree. Both Federal and State regulations require students to meet basic academic standards in order to remain eligible for financial assistance.  Failure to meet one or more of the established standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will make a student ineligible.

All previous academic history, even if the student didn't receive financial aid, is included in the academic review.  It is the student's responsibility to monitor academic progress and to understand the criteria needed to maintain both federal and state financial aid eligibility.  

Information about our Federal and State SAP Standards, Probation, and SAP Appeals can be found by selecting the corresponding links in the left menu.

UPDATE TO SAP REVIEW: Starting Fall 2022, Federal SAP reviews will be completed on a semesterly basis.  We have discontinued the yearly review.  The State Policy has not changed. 

Federal SAP Policy 

Federal regulations require SUNY Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) to establish, publish and apply reasonable standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid purposes. These standards ensure successful completion of course work leading to the timely receipt of a degree or certificate. The SAP policy must be the same as or stricter than SUNY Orange’s Academic Policy applied to students in the same program who are not receiving Federal Title IV, HEA student aid programs and provide consistent application of standards to all students with categories of students (ie: full-time, part-time, undergraduate, certificate, and educational programs established by the institution.) (34 CFR § 668.34 - Satisfactory Academic Progress).

SUNY Orange’s Academic Policy can be found in the SUNY Orange’s College Catalog.

Enrollment Breakdown: 

  • Full Time = 12 or more credits
  • Three-Quarter Time (¾)= 9 to 11.5 credits
  • Half Time (½) = 6 to 8.5 credits
  • Less Than Half Time (<½) = 5.5 or less credits

SAP requirements for financial recipients are applied differently than SUNY Orange’s academic standards. Federal regulation states that SAP standards must include a review of all attempted credits for all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether or not aid was received. This includes enrolled, transfer credits, repeated credits, etc. The student must meet all minimum standards in order to continue receiving financial aid. This includes Pell, FSEOG, Federal Work-study, and Federal Direct Loans. 

In order to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid (Title IV funds), a student must make adequate academic progress toward their degree.  Eligibility is determined by reviewing three components:

  • Qualitative: the cumulative GPA required per our SAP Policy. 
  • Quantitative: the pace at which a student is progressing toward degree completion. Students are required to complete 67% of all attempted credits. 
  • Maximum Timeframe: federally established requirement that a student must complete their degree, or mathematically be able to complete their degree, within 150% of the established program length. 

A student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress at the end of a payment period (semester), for the subsequent semester, if the student meets the criteria for the qualitative, quantitative, and maximum time frame standards.  These standards are cumulative and include all terms of the student’s enrollment even if financial aid was not received for all terms.  A student must meet all of the components above in order to remain eligible for federal Title IV student aid.

Students Who Fail to Meet SUNY Orange's SAP Policy

Students will receive an email from the Financial Office, via their SUNY Orange email, stating that they have failed to meet one or more components of our SAP Policy.  Students can review their SAP Status by reviewing the Academic Progress link in their mySUNYOrange Student Portal and/or Degree Works.   

Financial Aid Warning

A student who was in good SAP standing but then fails to meet the SAP requirements at the end of a semester will be placed on a one (1) semester Financial Aid Warning for the next semester.  A student on financial aid warning remains eligible for financial aid during the warning period and will receive an email notification explaining the failure to meet SAP standards and that they have been placed on Financial Aid Warning.  This warning semester should be used to get back on track academically.  Meeting with your Academic Advisor and the Financial Aid is strongly encouraged. 

Financial Aid Suspension

A student who did not meet the SAP standards after the Financial Aid Warning semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and immediately become ineligible for federal financial aid. If students are placed on Financial Aid Suspension can regain eligibility once they successfully return to meeting our SAP policy guidelines or successfully appeal the determination based on extenuating circumstances.   The student will need to self-pay for courses they are taking until they have once again regained eligibility.

How Will a Student be Notified?

Students will receive an email from the Financial Office, via their SUNY Orange email, stating that they have failed to meet one or more components of our SAP Policy.  Students can review their SAP Status by reviewing the Academic Progress link in their mySUNYOrange Student Portal and/or reviewing their academic plan via Degree Works.

The email will also contain a link to our T4A Appeal Form for the student to appeal the Financial Aid Suspension status if they had extenuating circumstances beyond their control. 

Regaining Eligibility

Students who lose their federal financial aid eligibility have options.

  • Submit an Appeal Form for Federal Aid (T4A) if the student had extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Please refer to the “Right to Appeal” section below.
  • Self-pay, or use a private alternative loan with an outside source.
  • Attend another college or other post-secondary institution.

Once a student meets our SAP policy guidelines, their federal financial aid can be reinstated.

A student who fails to meet our SAP Policy, and is placed on Financial Aid Suspension, may appeal this determination if there were extenuating circumstances beyond their control that prevented them from meeting the standards of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.  A student will be invited to submit an Appeal Form for Federal Financial Aid (T4A) appeal form.

Reasons that may be acceptable for an appeal:

  • Personal injury, illness, physical disability, or victim of a crime
  • Death and/or illness of an immediate family member(s)
  • Separation/Divorce
  • Fire or other catastrophic events
  • Legal issues
  • Other circumstances beyond a student’s control that occurred during the term for which a student lost eligibility

Your appeal must include the following items:

  • The reasons why you did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, and
  • What has changed now that will allow you to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation, and
  • You must provide supporting documentation with your appeal statement. Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will be denied.

Examples of supporting documentation: Letters from disinterested third parties on letterhead including all contact information, medical or hospitalization records, obituary or death certificate, police or fire reports, etc.  Students who submit an appeal without supporting documentation will be automatically denied.

If additional information is requested, the Financial Aid Office will send the student an email and post the requirement in the student’s mySUNYOrange Banner Self-Service for them to upload the additional documentation.

Once all documentation is submitted, the appeal will be reviewed by the SAP committee which is comprised of two (2) members of the Financial Aid Office and one (1) member of the Academic Advising. Students who are approved will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A record of the appeal and the final determination will be maintained in the student’s financial aid file.

Important Information

  • SAP Appeals submitted after the deadline will automatically be denied for that term.
  • SAP Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will be automatically denied.
  • There is no appeal for Maximum Time Frame (150%) rule.

Student(s) Enrolled in SUNY Orange's Community College in the High School Program (CCHSP)

SUNY Orange's Community College in the High School Program (CCHSP) offers high-achieving juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits while attending high school.  Students in the CCHSP program are required to meet the same SAP policies as traditional students seeking an Associate’s or Certificate at SUNY Orange.   

CCHSP students are not eligible for federal Title IV or state financial aid while in this program.  If a student plans on matriculating at SUNY Orange, then they will need to meet the same SAP guidelines prior to matriculating.  A CCHSP student may start a semester in a “Financial Aid Warning” status if they are not meeting quantitative, qualitative and/or maximum time frame requirement. 

The financial aid office recognizes that grades for the program are not posted until after our semester reviews occur. The Financial Aid Office will commence with an initial SAP review for those students in the CCHSP program after grades have been posted which is usually on/around June 30th. Students will then receive communication regarding their SAP status.

When is the SAP Reviewed and How Often?

Beginning Fall 2022, the determination of satisfactory academic progress (SAP), will be made at the end of each semester (summer, fall, spring), otherwise known as a payment period, for all full-time and part-time undergraduate and certificate programs.  This review includes a determination as to whether the student has met the cumulative qualitative, quantitative, and maximum time frame standards set forth in the college’s SAP policy.   

When a student returns from a period of non-attendance from SUNY Orange, all prior academic activity will be included in future SAP evaluations.  Each student’s record will be reviewed under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid. Students will be notified of their failure to meet the SAP standards by email notification from the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Probation

If you have fallen below the completion ratio on the Satisfactory Academic Progress chart published on the SUNY Orange Financial Aid web pages, and/or you have failed to maintain the required minimum GPA associated with that completion ratio, you will be placed on federal financial aid probation. You will be allowed only one probationary semester during your academic plan if an appeal is granted.

While on financial aid probation you will receive a separate letter that will outline the academic requirements you must meet in order to receive federal financial aid for the following semester. If you meet the terms of financial aid probation, you will be permitted to continue to participate in federal student aid programs (PELL grants, loans, and Federal Work Study) for subsequent semesters. If you have been placed on financial aid probation you shall be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for the purposes of receiving federal financial aid as long as you continue to meet the academic requirements outlined in your probationary letter.

While on Financial Aid probation, the Financial Aid Office will review your academic transcript at the end of the following semester to ensure you meet the conditions of your probation in relation to Progress and Grade Point Average.

If you do not meet the terms of your probation, you will forfeit eligibility for all Federal Financial Aid programs (PELL grants, loans, federal work study). 

Grade Changes

Students who are receiving aid on a probationary basis must resolve all incomplete grades before the Financial Aid Office can make a final determination of the satisfactory academic progress guidelines. Students must report any grade changes that impact their aid eligibility directly to the Financial Aid Office. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office once their final grades have been posted.

Probation Standards Not Met

If you have lost eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs for reasons of academic progress, you may regain eligibility by enrolling at SUNY Orange at your own expense, and making up the Deficiency of Progress or GPA. The mere passage of time will not ordinarily restore eligibility to a student who has failed to make satisfactory academic progress policy.

If you have been academically dismissed from SUNY Orange but are subsequently given permission to re-enroll, you are not automatically eligible to continue to participate in Federal Financial Aid programs. Admissions decisions are totally separate from funding decisions.

Right to Appeal

To appeal your Satisfactory Academic Progress status, you must submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form, along with any required documentation, detailing the extenuating circumstances that contributed to your not meeting the SAP standards. Considerations for appeals exist if you had a severe illness, medical condition, injury, traumatic life altering experience, or the death of a parent that prevented you from being successful in the semester in which you did poorly. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval to reinstate your eligibility for receiving financial aid. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Deadlines: To ensure that Financial Aid funds for which you may be eligible are on your account before the payment due date, you should submit your appeal by:  Summer — June 1; Fall — August 26; and Spring — January 22. If an appeal is submitted after the deadline dates, you will need to make arrangements for alternative means of payment until your Financial Aid can be processed, using your own funds or participating in the Tuition Payment Plan. Appeals submitted after the current deadline dates will be evaluated for the following semester.

Appeal Approval Conditions: Appeals can only be approved if the Financial Aid Appeals Committee determines:

  • You will be able to meet SUNY Orange’s Satisfactory Academic Progress chart after the next payment period; or
  • You have agreed to follow an Academic Plan that, if followed, will ensure that the student can meet the College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines by a specific point in time.

Federal Financial Aid

Federal PELL Grant

The PELL Grant is a grant from the Federal government and does not have to be repaid. The amount of the grant is based on the amount of funds actually available for the program as designated by Congress. The maximum award is distributed over two semesters for full-time enrollment and may be pro-rated. All undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Federal PELL Grant. Students may receive PELL Grants for as many as 12 full-time semesters (or the equivalent). The student must be enrolled at the time the FAFSA Submission Summary is received by the Financial Aid Office. Even though the student may file the FAFSA after the semester has started, a payment cannot be made if the student ceases to be enrolled. For students taking developmental courses, federal aid funds will only pay for the first 30 attempted credits of developmental study.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

High-need students may be eligible to receive FSEOG grants ranging from $300 to $500 a year. Money for this program is extremely limited. Students who have earned a Bachelor's degree are not eligible. FAFSA completion is required. All Campus-Based-Aid programs are subject to the federal government’s allocation to the school. When all the funds are exhausted, awarding and disbursement of this aid program stops.

Federal Work Study Program

Eligible students may work part-time while in college to help defray their educational cost. Students are paid an hourly rate and receive a paycheck every two weeks for the hours worked. Students cannot earn more than the amount of their work-study award. Salary is based on published rates. FAFSA completion is required. Work-Study funds are allocated each year by the Federal government. The Financial Aid Office will award work-study to eligible students until the funds for the year are exhausted. 

Federal Direct Loans

The Federal Direct Loan is a loan that must be repaid upon completion of school or interruption of studies. The student who qualifies may borrow up to $5,500 for the academic year as a freshman and $6,500 as a sophomore. Independent students who still need loan assistance after Federal Stafford Loan eligibility is determined will be packaged with a maximum of $4,000 additionally each year. Dependent students may apply for an additional unsubsidized loan if your parents are unable to obtain a PLUS loan.

All borrowers are required to complete an electronic master Promissory Note, and entrance counseling before funds can be disbursed. If you are a freshman and a first-time borrower for a student loan, federal regulations require that the first loan disbursement be delayed until 30 days after the start of classes. Students are required to be actively enrolled for at least six credit hours each semester to maintain loan eligibility. If you should drop below 6 credits prior to the disbursement of the loan, the funds will be returned to the U.S. Department of Education. More information on loans can be viewed at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/. Remember student loans are to be used only for “education expenses” which include tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment, living expenses, cost of care for a dependent child, transportation, and the cost to rent or buy a computer.

Federal PLUS Loans

Federal PLUS loans are loans that a parent may use to assist their child in financing an education. The lender is the U.S. Government’s Direct Loan program. More information on how to obtain a PLUS loan can be obtained by going to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/whatYouNeed.action?page=plusApp website. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus other aid per award year, if their child is enrolled at least part time. The loan goes into repayment 60 days after the check is disbursed to you. Students are required to be actively enrolled for six credit hours each semester to maintain eligibility.

Veterans Benefits

Orange County Community College is approved for various benefits eligible to students on active duty, members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard, veterans, and eligible dependents and/or spouses.  Students should inquire at the Veterans and Military Services Office within the Office of Academic Advising, located on the third floor of the George F. Shepard Student Center or https://sunyorange.edu/veterans/.  More information about eduction benefits offered by the VA is available at the official US government website at  https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Aid for Native Americans

The Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs gives educational grants directly to the various Native American tribes. Students should contact their tribal office to see if federal funds are available. Aid for Native Americans may also be available through the New York State Education Department. The website is www.nysed.gov.  Search Aid for Native Americans.

New York State Financial Aid 

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

You must:

  • be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in NYS for at least 12 continuous months prior to the stat of the term
  • have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • be enrolled as a part-time student
  • be matriculated in an approved program of study in a participating New York State postsecondary institution
  • be in good academic standing
  • be charged at least $100 in tuition per year
  • meet income eligibility limitations
  • not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility
  • not be in default on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award
  • be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award

NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress

Before being certified to receive a specific TAP payment, students must have accrued at least a certain number of credits toward their degree while maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Please view our web site at:  www.sunyorange.edu/financialaid/standards.shtml for details on which NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress chart applies to you.

Evaluation Criteria for NYS Satisfactory Academic Progress (State SAP)

  • Grades earned for “completed” courses may be A, B, C, D, F, or P.
  • To be eligible for TAP in the future, you must pass the minimum percentage of credits attempted as designated by the number of payments you have received, and have accumulated at least a specific number of total credits towards your degree overall, per NYS regulation. 
  • If you are a first-time TAP recipient and are taking a minimum of two developmental courses you may be evaluated on the State SAP chart.
  • Transfer and second-time TAP recipients entering SUNY Orange who have received TAP at a previous institution must be registered for six and possibly more credits of college level course work as part of their full-time load.
  • Courses which are audited and/or which are repeats of previously passed courses are not eligible for inclusion in a student’s credited enrollment.
  • Financial Aid can only pay for 2 credits of Physical Education coursework.
  • NYS academic requirements and awards may be subject to change based on NYS budget considerations.

New York State Part-Time TAP (PTAP)

You must:

  • be a legal resident of New York State or have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • have graduated from a high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma by passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department
  • study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State
  • be matriculated in an approved program of study and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00
  • be enrolled as a part-time student taking six to 11 credits applicable toward the degree program, per semester (at least four, but fewer than eight credits per trimester/quarter)*
  • be charged at least $200 in tuition per year

How to Apply for TAP

Students should complete the FAFSA online and then use the link for NYS residents. This will direct you to the HESC website.

Other NYS Grants, Scholarships, and Awards

HESC also offers other NYS grants scholarships and awards.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

This is a NYS grant for eligible part-time students. Due to funding limitations and the number of qualified applicants, coverage is limited to 6 credits. Students are selected on a first come first served basis. Applications are placed in chronological order based on when the application and State of New York taxes are received.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

  • Be NY State residents who can demonstrate the ability to complete college coursework
  • Be enrolled for 6 to 11 ½ credits in an eligible degree program
  • After completing at least 3 credits at SUNY Orange, maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 in order to be eligible to receive APTS the following semester
  • After each semester State Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated, and the student must maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0
  • If transferring to SUNY Orange, submit to the Financial Aid Office an Academic Transcript of coursework completed at the prior institution
  • If they are dependent students: have a family whose net NY State taxable income is $50,550 or less
  • If they are independent students: have a family whose net NY State taxable income is $34,250 or less

Excelsior Scholarship

Please see the N.Y.S. HESC website for additional information for processes and procedures for obtaining the scholarship.

Part-time Scholarship

Please see the N.Y.S. HESC website for additional information for processes and procedures for obtaining the scholarship.

SUNY Orange Foundation Scholarships

The SUNY Orange scholarship process is managed by the SUNY Orange Foundation, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to generating funds and building resources to enhance learning opportunities at SUNY Orange for students and the community. The SUNY Orange Foundation is responsible for managing and increasing funds for all SUNY Orange scholarships. Through the efforts of the Foundation and the generosity of many private donors, SUNY Orange awards approximately 250 scholarships each academic year. There are scholarship opportunities for:

  • Entering, returning and graduating students
  • Students with financial need
  • Students in good academic standing
  • All majors, ages, veterans, and non-traditional students 

FAFSA is not required to qualify for these scholarships.

To apply for scholarships, you must sign in with the same user name and password you use to access the campus login portal. 

Once you complete your general application, you will be automatically matched with scholarship opportunities based on the information you provide, as well as other data being imported from your SUNY Orange student account. 

All scholarship monies will be paid directly to the student's account. 

The application process is open to students during the Spring semester. To learn more about scholarships, visit the SUNY Orange Foundation website.