Bill > A08951

This bill amends the New York State education law to exempt the income of dependent applicants from eligibility calculations for the Excelsior Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards. Specifically, the bill modifies existing provisions to clarify that when determining an applicant's total income or adjusted gross income for scholarship and financial aid purposes, the income of dependent students will not be included in the calculation. The changes affect how income is calculated for award eligibility, creating more favorable terms for dependent students by using only the income of parents or guardians. The bill adjusts income reduction schedules for awards, creating new thresholds for income reductions and introducing provisions that ensure dependent students' personal income does not impact their potential award amounts. These modifications aim to make higher education financial assistance more accessible by preventing a dependent student's own income from potentially reducing their scholarship or aid award. The changes will apply to students at New York state public institutions of higher education and are designed to provide more equitable support for students based on their family's financial circumstances rather than the student's own limited earnings.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8951