Education & Student Aid · Surprise rank #261
At a Private NY College? You May Get Up to $6,000 a Year Toward Tuition
New York's Enhanced Tuition Award puts up to $6,000 a year toward tuition for full-time undergraduates at participating private colleges in New York, for households earning $125,000 or less. Applications for the 2026-27 school year close August 31, 2026.
Who
New York residents of at least 12 continuous months who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree at a private, degree-granting college in New York State that has chosen to participate, with a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. Students who are not New York residents, including undocumented students, can establish eligibility first through the NYS DREAM Act.
Where: New York State, at participating private colleges only. Available to students from NYC, Nassau and Suffolk attending qualifying private colleges anywhere in the state.
What to do
Start here: Check HESC's list of participating private colleges to confirm your school takes part, complete the FAFSA and the NYS TAP application, then submit the ETA application on HESC's website before the August 31, 2026 deadline for the 2026-27 year. Call 1-888-697-4372 if you are unsure whether you already have an ETA on file.
Eligibility: Household combined federal AGI of $125,000 or less; U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; New York resident for 12 continuous months; high school diploma, GED or passing Ability to Benefit test; enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per term) at a participating NYS private college; completing at least 30 credits per year and continuously enrolled; good academic standing; not in default on a student loan or NYS award. Students in opportunity programs get five years and a 24-credit-per-year requirement. The full-time requirement is waived for students with disabilities under the ADA.
What you get
The Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) is New York's counterpart to the Excelsior Scholarship for students who choose a private college instead of SUNY or CUNY. It brings your total tuition help up to $6,000 a year by combining three pieces: your state TAP award, the ETA award itself, and a matching contribution from your college of up to $3,000. Colleges that join the program also agree to freeze your tuition rate for as long as you hold the award, so a mid-degree tuition increase does not eat the benefit.
Benefit: Up to $6,000 a year toward tuition, paid as the combination of your TAP award, the ETA award and your college's match. The award is applied to tuition, not refunded as cash.
Possible value: The ceiling is $6,000 a year, but most recipients get less because TAP counts toward that total. New York reports $1.7 million in Enhanced Tuition Awards paid to more than 1,500 students in the 2024-25 year, which works out to roughly $1,100 per student on average. Students with little or no TAP award and a participating college see the largest gain.
Good to know
Important: Three things trip people up. First, students who first enrolled in college before 2023 (before 2022 for approved five-year or opportunity programs) are not eligible at all and should not apply. Second, only private colleges that opt in each year participate, so many private schools are simply not on the list. Third, you must live in New York for as many years as you received the award and work in New York during that time if you are employed; if you do not, every dollar paid on your behalf converts into a 10-year no-interest student loan you have to repay.
Availability: Active; 2026-27 applications close August 31, 2026. Current recipients do not reapply but must file the FAFSA and TAP application each year.
Why people miss it: Coverage of New York's free-tuition programs focuses almost entirely on the Excelsior Scholarship at SUNY and CUNY, so private-college students assume there is nothing for them.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026