The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is the State’s student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college and a national leader in providing need based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At the Corporation's core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program, numerous state scholarships, federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. The Corporation puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2016-17, HESC helped more than 354,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing more than $980 million in grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness benefits, including $917 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
As the administering agency for the federal GEAR UP Grant, HESC assists high-need students in understanding the benefits of a college education and provides the tools and encouragement to explore careers and colleges and successfully navigate the college application process.
HESC’s “Start Here to Get There” campaign for student financial aid awareness works in conjunction with colleges, not-for-profit and school-based organizations to inform and educate New York State students and families about their available financial aid options and to promote the completion of the most important tool in securing financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).