AID FOR PART-TIME STUDY
(APTS) is a New York State grant program for students pursuing a degree on a part-time basis. It is money paid to the school for tuition only.
APTS Q&A
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be considered for APTS, you must:
Be pursuing an undergraduate degree as a part-time student.
Be registered for at least 6 credits, or equated credits (with at least 3 of these being degree credits). All credit-bearing courses must count toward your degree to be payable under the APTS program.
Be in good academic standing for New York State award programs.
Be a legal resident of New York State.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or hold an I-94 visa as a refugee, paroled refugee, or conditional entrant.
Meet the following economic criteria:
- If not eligible to be claimed by parents as a tax exemption, and not claiming dependents of your own, have a total New York State net taxable income of less than $34,251.
- If claimed by parents as a tax exemption, or eligible to claim dependents of your own, have a total family net taxable income of less than $50,501.
Have a high school diploma from a U.S. high school, a recognized GED certificate, or receive a passing score on an approved ability-to-benefit test.
Have not used up undergraduate eligibility for TAP or other New York State financial aid programs for full-time study.
Be free of debt from a defaulted student loan that HESC guaranteed.
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How do I apply?
- Apply for APTS by filing a FAFSA. (Be sure to indicate Queens College as one of your college choices.)
- Apply for TAP (see www.hesc.ny.gov). If you did not complete the electronic TAP application when you filed your FAFSA on the web, you will be sent an email or postcard with a web link to a TAP application after your FAFSA is processed. You must submit the New York State TAP application in order to be considered for an APTS award.
- Complete the CUNY supplement form. After you file your TAP application, CUNY will notify you by mail or email to complete a CUNY supplement. To get to eFAP, the CUNY website where you can complete the CUNY supplement on the web, sign in to the CUNY Portal at http://cuny.edu/portal, select ADMISSIONS/FINANCIAL AID from the top of your personalized WELCOME page, select eFAP (Financial Aid), and then select CUNY Supplement for 2012-2013.
You must complete the APTS application process by an established deadline in order to receive an APTS award. For deadline information, contact the Financial Aid office.
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How much APTS will I receive?
The amount of your APTS award will vary from term to term, depending on the availability of program funds. In recent years, APTS awards have ranged from $15 to $65 per credit. An APTS award cannot exceed the cost of your tuition.
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What does being in "Good Academic Standing for New York State Award Programs" mean?
APTS recipients are subject to the same good academic standing requirements that govern the TAP program (see TAP Progress Chart). You must demonstrate program pursuit every semester you receive an APTS award and meet the academic progress standard every two semesters. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the loss of your TAP/APTS eligibility.
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Can I regain eligibility for APTS?
Yes. You can regain your eligibility for APTS and other New York State award programs by any one of the following procedures:
- Combine two or more semesters' work, provided that only one of those semesters is paid for through New York State support.
- Be readmitted to QC after a leave of absence of at least one calendar year.
- Transfer to another college. There, you will be eligible to receive New York State awards your first semester.
- Apply to the Committee on Academic Standing for a one-time TAP/APTS waiver. If the waiver is approved, you may continue your studies without interruption of New York State program assistance.
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