ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – New York’s primary need-based grant program for college students has not kept pace with inflation or rising tuition costs since the 2008-09 academic year, according to a new report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
The Tuition Assistance Program saw undergraduate recipients drop by 77,000 students, or 21%, with steep declines among two-year programs at 45%, private-sector schools at 40% and lowest income households at 38%.
“TAP has helped generations of New Yorkers attend college, but it’s falling behind the realities of today’s costs,” DiNapoli said. “Updating award criteria so that TAP continues to be a useful support for families is needed to help New York retain talent and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.”
Award amounts lag behind costs
Between the 2008-09 and 2024-25 academic years, the average award increased only 21% to $2,643, while inflation rose 44% during the same period. State University of New York and City University of New York tuition grew more than three times faster over the same timeframe.
Only students from households earning $7,000 or less qualified for the maximum annual TAP award of $5,665 in the 2025-26 academic year. That income ceiling has not changed for 30 years. Students receiving maximum awards in 2024-25 decreased 38% since 2008-09.
The decline in recipients since 2008 is partially related to the fall in high school graduates and the drop in postsecondary enrollments. However, TAP utilization was already dropping at a greater pace than resident enrollment in many sectors before rebounding in 2024-25.
Public vs. private school coverage
TAP provides more meaningful support for students at public institutions, where tuition tends to be more affordable, the report said. For these students, average awards cover 36% to 42% of tuition, depending on system and degree level.
The average TAP award for students attending private sector institutions covers just 6.5% of the average four-year non-profit school tuition. TAP may not be used for non-tuition costs, which can represent significant expenses.
Recent improvements show impact
Recent state actions to expand TAP eligibility coincided with the highest number of recipients in 2024-25 since 2019-20. New York has provided new assistance for certain students to pursue postsecondary education and retraining for career shifts, and has increased income limits for students to qualify for awards.
In 2024-25, there was a 20% increase in the number of total TAP recipients from the prior year. The report says the gains across different groups demonstrate the impact of broadening access for part-time study and non-degree or certificate programs along with expanding household income ceilings for eligibility.
These actions support higher education institutes that have been expanding enrollments with historically under-represented students, including those who are older and independent.
DiNapoli said updating criteria that determine TAP award sizes and consideration of TAP’s use for non-tuition purposes are options policymakers can consider for providing support that New York students need to pursue postsecondary education in-state.
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