New York's Higher Education Services Corporation provided nearly $1 billion in aid to about 300,000 students during 2025-26, according to the agency's newly announced annual report.
The state also consolidated three part-time Tuition Assistance Program options and lowered the minimum course load from six credits to three, widening access for students taking fewer classes.
Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said 152,438 students have newly benefited from higher TAP income eligibility limits. The changes are part of the agency's broader effort to make aid easier to obtain and college costs easier to understand.
The report also describes an expansion of Veterans Tuition Awards that took effect in July 2025. Veterans with four years of active-duty service can qualify without having served in combat, while combat veterans can qualify regardless of service length.
Support through the veterans program increased by about 70%, according to the state.
During College Application Month in 2025, roughly 130 colleges participated in an effort that waived fees for about 300,000 applications. The state estimated the waived fees at $15 million and said 670 high schools took part.
Those totals refer to applications rather than distinct students, since a student can apply to multiple colleges.
The agency also reported progress in financial aid applications. By June 2026, New York ranked sixth nationally in FAFSA completion, with completion up about 6% compared with the previous graduating class, according to the announcement.
During April's awareness campaign, students submitted more than 160,000 Free Applications for Federal Student Aid and 35,000 TAP applications.
The Financial Aid Navigator, introduced in fall 2025, gives students and families another way to find information. An interactive dashboard launched in April 2026 lets users explore aid information geographically.
More than 12,000 people participated in the agency's events, supported by partnerships with over 130 organizations. HESC held its first College Access Conference in Albany in March 2026 and recognized 30 recipients with awards.
The report also describes operational changes. A vendor has been selected for a new aid-processing portal, while an inbound telephone system introduced in March 2026 ended the need for callers to reserve a call in advance.
HESC Acting President Doris Gonzalez said the changes focus on making assistance easier for students to navigate. The state described the aid programs as part of its college affordability agenda.
The figures do not mean every student's full college expenses are covered. Awards depend on the program and the student's eligibility, and tuition assistance does not necessarily pay housing, food, books or other costs.
The state announcement summarizes the agency's 2025-26 results and program changes.
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