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HESC tells lawmakers TAP, FAFSA outreach expanded; agency warns federal changes could increase demand
Summary
HESC told lawmakers the executive budget includes $1.03 billion for state financial‑aid programs and cited recent TAP expansions, increased FAFSA outreach and a modernization plan for the state aid system, while warning that federal changes could increase uncertainty and demand.
Dr. Guillermo Linares, president of the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), told the joint committees the executive budget continues major aid support and highlighted recent expansions that broaden TAP eligibility and simplify access for part‑time students. He said the executive proposal includes $1.03 billion for HESC financial‑aid programs and more than $850 million for TAP, and pointed to last year’s TAP eligibility expansions that brought about 48,000 newly eligible students into the program.
Linares described HESC outreach activity around FAFSA completion — including the state’s FASA Ready initiative and thousands of FAFSA‑related events and text reminders — and credited that outreach with New York’s jump in national FAFSA completion rankings. He urged continued investment in aid access and said HESC plans an incremental modernization of the state aid IT platform rather than issuing a single large contract.
HESC officials told lawmakers that federal uncertainty — including potential federal changes to grant and research programs — could affect state planning. They said state outreach and a modernized application backbone are key to capturing available federal and state aid for students.
Why it matters: Changes in FAFSA, TAP and state aid administration affect students’ ability to find and secure grant aid; HESC’s modernization plans and outreach affect how quickly New York can convert application activity into actual awards.
Ending note: HESC asked legislators to maintain aid investments and support modernization work to reduce application friction and to preserve gains in FAFSA completion.
