New York officials say a statewide financial aid awareness campaign helped more than 163,000 students complete federal financial aid applications in April as the state pushes to expand college access and reduce barriers to higher education.
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation announced Thursday that its 2026 Financial Aid Awareness Month campaign, branded “You Belong,” drove a surge in FAFSA and Tuition Assistance Program applications while expanding outreach efforts to students and families statewide.
According to the state, more than 163,000 students completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid during April, while another 35,000 submitted applications for New York’s Tuition Assistance Program, commonly known as TAP.
Officials said FAFSA submissions for the 2026-27 academic year have already surpassed 1 million statewide, placing New York sixth nationally in FAFSA completions. TAP applications for the same academic year have reached more than 241,000 so far.
The state also reported providing one-on-one support and financial aid assistance to roughly 3,400 students and families through events held during April.
In addition, the Higher Education Services Corporation said it trained 534 school counselors, educators and community leaders through its FAFSA Ready Training program to help students navigate the financial aid process in local communities.
State officials also highlighted the launch of two new digital tools during April: a FAFSA completion dashboard that tracks application rates across New York and a Financial Aid Navigator designed to help students identify grants, scholarships and tuition assistance opportunities they may qualify for.
The campaign was conducted in partnership with the State University of New York, City University of New York, the New York State Education Department and several higher education organizations.
As part of the outreach effort, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited community colleges across the state, including Finger Lakes Community College and Cayuga Community College, to promote the Opportunity Promise Scholarship program for adult learners pursuing degrees in high-demand fields.
Officials said Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes an additional $12.5 million to expand that scholarship initiative, including broader eligibility for nursing students and additional career fields tied to workforce shortages.
State education leaders said the broader goal of the campaign is to close financial aid gaps and ensure students understand available college funding opportunities before enrollment deadlines.
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