Is my school allowed to do this? (TAP-related)

<p>I go to school in New York, so we have this other financial assistance for NY State residents called TAP and it can be more or less than FAFSA's award.</p>

<p>I recently noticed a financial hold in my student account--I've paid my tuition in full and owe nothing. However, I went to the financial aid office and they told me I owe the money they offered me in my bill that is supposed to be a TAP award--but is pending because I have not filed my application yet. In shorter words, they went ahead and awarded me the money they expected TAP to award me once I fill out my application and all goes through.</p>

<p>I filed my application right after and was declined so now my school wants me to pay up the money. I noticed that on my bill, it did not even say I had a TAP offer. Is my school allowed to reinstate my bill and make me pay up the money they thought they were going to get from TAP? I really do not want to pay an extra $250 to my already inflating tuition bill.</p>

<p>Yes, of course they are! They had a reasonable expectation that you would get TAP money, so they didn’t make you pay the amount they thought would be coming for TAP. Since you will not receive any TAP money, you absolutely owe them the $250.</p>