Grant Programs
Grants are typically “free money” that do not have to be repaid. Each grant has program-specific criteria that are generally described below. Learn more about basic eligibility criteria for financial aid.
Grant Programs
Grants typically are support based on financial need or other criteria defined by the donor. Grants usually do not have to be repaid. Qualifications often must be met for a recipient to receive a grant and a new application might need to be filed each year (such as the annual FAFSA and TAP applications). Some grant awards have post-college expectations that if not met, convert the distributed funds to a loan that must be repaid. An example of this is the Federal TEACH Grant which converts to an interest-bearing loan if expectations detailed in the service contract are not met.
Contact Student Financial Services to speak with an aid advisor about your eligibility for grant programs and guidance on applying.
| Grants Available | Annual Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | $740 – $7,395 |
Pell is currently awarded to eligible undergraduate students who have not already earned a 1st bachelor’s degree. Award amounts are based on a federal formula and depend on your: SAI (Student Aid Index), cost of attendance and enrollment during the school year. Awards for part-time students (1 – 11 credits) are prorated and allowed on a restricted basis. Over your lifetime you may receive Pell Grant funding up to six years or the equivalent of six year. You can view your maximum Pell Grant lifetime eligibility used at the Federal Student Aid website (login required). Visit StudentAid.gov for more information. |
| NYS TAP Grant | $500 – $5,665 | Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is awarded to undergraduate, NYS residents and is based upon NYS taxable income. It requires full-time enrollment of 12 credits or more. Students interested in this program should complete the FAFSA and NYS Aid Payment Application. Visit HESC for more information. |
| NYS Part-Time TAP Grant | Varies | Effective with the 2022–23 aid year, NYS expanded the TAP Grant program to include funding for eligible part-time students. The income and other basic eligibility criteria are the same as TAP. Students studying part-time (6 – 11 credits) and interested in this program should complete the FAFSA and NYS Aid Payment Application. Visit HESC for more information. |
| SUNY Tuition Credit | $151 – $1,455 | SUNY Tuition Credit is awarded to TAP recipients. Award amounts are based upon the amount of your TAP grant. |
| Federal SEOG Grant | $300 | Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to Pell-eligible students with the lowest SAI. Visit StudentAid.gov for more information. |
| Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant | $7,395 |
This program may be available to students who: 1) are not eligible for the Pell Grant based on EFC but otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements; and 2) has a parent or guardian who was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001; and 3) were under 24 years old or attending college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death. Visit StudentAid.gov to learn more. |
| SUNY SUSTA Grant | $450 |
State University Student Tuition Assistance (SUSTA) is awarded to first-year students who are accepted into the Educational Opportunity Program based upon an economic and academic disadvantaged status. Recipients will only receive this award for the two semesters of their first year. |
| Other NYS Grants | Varies | Visit HESC for more information on NYS grants and scholarships. Other grants and scholarships include Excelsior, Academic Excellence, Math and Science Teaching Incentive, NY-AIMS, STEM Incentive, World Trade Center, and several military and memorial scholarships. |
| Federal TEACH Grant | $470 – $3,772 | Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) may be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who intend to teach in a high-need field in public or private elementary or secondary schools that serve students from low-income families. While this program is labeled a grant, it will convert into a loan with back interest if the recipient does not meet a 4-year service obligation within 8 years of graduation. Eligible students have declared a TEACH eligible major, and scored at least 1170 on the SAT or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (87.5 high school average for first semester college students). Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in order to renew the grant from semester to semester. Award amounts for part-time students (under 12 credits) are prorated. Visit StudentAid.gov for more information. |
| NYS APTS Grant | $425 – $1000 | Students enrolled in three to eleven credits per semester in a degree program can apply for Aid for Part-time Studies (APTS). Funding is limited and available on a first come-first serve basis. Applications are available on our Forms website and are due prior to the beginning of each semester. Award amounts depend on tuition charges, NYS taxable income and academic records. |
| NYS EOP Grant | Varies | Educational Opportunity (EOP) Grants are awarded to students who are accepted into the EOP program based upon an economic and academic disadvantaged status. Visit EOP for more information. |
| ACCES-VR | Varies | ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) provides an extensive array of services to individuals with disabilities that will enable them for employment. Students must have a documented diagnosed disability to be eligible for ACCES-VR benefits. For college students, ACCES-VR may provide support services such as tutors, note takers, and readers. For eligible students who also meet financial requirements, ACCES-VR may provide a grant that assists with tuition, fees, books, transportation and adaptive equipment. ACCES-VR has 15 district offices throughout the state. |
| Empire State Diversity Honor’s Scholarship | Varies | The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program (ESDHSP) is designed to direct aid to undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion effects in their academic programs and activities. |
| New York State Indian Aid | Up to $2,000 |
In 1953, the New York state legislature authorized Education Law Section 4118 which
provides funding for American Indian students can receive grant awards of up to $2,000
per year form attending any approved, accredited postsecondary institution in New
York state. Students also may receive student aid for less than four years of study
and for part-time study. Learn more about the program and eligibility by visiting
the NYS Indigenous Education Unit. |
| Cardinal Career Grants | Varies |
These grants support student applied learning experiences. Learn about Cardinal Career Grants. |
Federal Stimulus Grants to Students
These grants were provided during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government awarded SUNY Plattsburgh funding for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency grants to students.
For more information about the funding, distribution, policies, addendums and required disclosures of these emergency student grants, visit our Federal Stimulus Grants to Students.