Pay for School
Paying for College & Training
Apply for financial aid through federal & state programs. Thousands of public and private organizations offer scholarships based on need, merit, demographics, and special interests. Check your eligibility & apply!
FAFSA
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. You must apply for aid every year.
What do I need?
- Verified account username and password (FSA ID)
- Parent or spouse contributor's email address
- Income and asset information (if required)
New York State financial aid
TAP / NYS Dream Act
TAP is New York State financial aid that can help eligible students pay for college.
If you are not eligible for FAFSA, you need to apply for the Dream Act. If you are approved, you will return to complete the application for financial aid with TAP.
Scholarships
Looking for additional scholarships? Search our Scholarship & Opportunities Library.
More help, by need
Free guides and support for your situation.
- FAFSA & financial aid help
- Immigrant & undocumented students
- Students in temporary housing
- Application costs
- Students with disabilities
FAFSA & financial aid help
For every student and family.
- Center for New York City AffairsUnderstanding FAFSA Guide ↗A free, step-by-step guide to the FAFSA and financial aid, written with NYC college counselors. Available in 10 languages.
- CUNYCUNY FAFSA Guide ↗How to file the FAFSA for CUNY, plus a net price calculator to estimate your cost to attend.
- NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)How to Pay for College ↗New York State's guide to planning and paying for college, from budgeting to applying for FAFSA and TAP.
- uAspireuAspire ↗Free student webinars, a financial aid checklist in 8 languages, a college cost calculator, and tips for completing the FAFSA.
Immigrant & undocumented students
Whatever your or your family’s citizenship status, there is help paying for college.
- Understanding FAFSAFAFSA & Financial Aid for Immigrant Families ↗For immigrant students and students from immigrant or mixed-status families: how your strategy for getting aid depends on your status.
- Understanding FAFSAFinancial Aid for Undocumented Students ↗Ways undocumented students can pay for college, including the NYS Dream Act and scholarships that don’t require citizenship.
- CUNY Immigrant Student SuccessUndocumented & Immigrant Student College Resource Guide ↗CUNY’s support page for undocumented students, with the College Resource Guide, scholarships, legal help, and work options.
- NYC Public SchoolsCollege Information for Immigrant Students ↗College and career readiness for English Language Learners and immigrant families: know your rights, your community, and your options.
Students in temporary housing
If you’re living in a shelter, doubled up, or on your own.
Application costs
Don’t let application fees stop you from applying.
Students with disabilities
Planning for college and life after high school.
- National Center for College Students with DisabilitiesNCCSD Clearinghouse ↗A free library of resources on disability and higher education: finding a college, accommodations, scholarships, and more.
- INCLUDEnycTransition Timeline ↗Steps to consider as a young person with a disability gets closer to finishing high school.
- NYC Public SchoolsTransition from High School ↗Supports, timelines, and college considerations for students with disabilities, including options after age 21.