NYS Enhanced Tuition Award

[Perseverance01]

I happily received the NYS Enhanced Tuition Award. But I noticed the restriction that requires me to live in NYS for years after college matching the # of years I received the ETA (ex. if I get 4 yrs of ETA, I would need to reside in NYS for 4 yrs after graduating). What if I go on to a Master’s degree program in an university in another state? My official residence would still be in NY, does that go against the ETA rule?

[Erin_s_Dad]

@sybbie719 ?

[sybbie719]

from HESC

POST-AWARD OBLIGATIONS
When do I begin fulfilling my residency requirement?
The post-award residency requirement begins when you are no longer receiving an award. You will have up to six months after your last award payment has made before you must live in NYS to fulfill the residency requirement. In addition, if you are working during those years, you must work in New York State.

If you have lost eligibility for the award and are continuing with your undergraduate studies at a NYS college, your residency requirement would begin while you are still in school.

If you are pursuing a graduate or post-graduate degree at a NYS college, your residency requirement will begin while you are enrolled in graduate school.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - Excelsior Scholarship FAQs

[thumper1]

@perseverence you are fortunate to live in a state which give you this tuition option. You have a choice…either adhere to the terms…or make the payments if you don’t.

In another thread, you said your family income was under $70,000 a year…did you not qualify for TAP?

[sybbie719]

It does not matter. The Enhanced scholarship is a last payer that will be reduced by the amount of the TAP award (if eligible)

[thumper1]

@sybbie719

I understand. But would TAP cover tuition without the after graduation residency obligation? If eligible

[sybbie719]

Op is most likely not eligible for full tap ($5100) based on a 0 EFC.

This is how it works
If Op gets $1000 in TAP then $2500 will be paid by HESC and $2500 will be paid by his school. When he graduates, he will either stay in NYS for a year or the $2500 converts to a loan

[Empireapple]

You would be taking money from the taxpayers of NYS. The expectation is that you will give back to the state in terms of your residency (now you pay taxes) and in your talents. It’s the same concept as those who go to the service academies. For their education they must remain in the military for a certain length of time as a “payback.”

[austinmshauri]

@Empireapple, OP didn’t say they were leaving NYS permanently. They asked if they could consider OOS grad schools. I think the answer is yes.

From the HESC website: What if I continue my education at a college outside of NYS?
Your post-award residency obligation is deferred while you continue your education outside of New York State. You will have six months to return to NYS to begin fulfilling your residency requirement.

[Empireapple]

austinmsharui I can read. The OP clearly wasn’t sure s/he had to stay in NYS for a length of time.

[Perseverance01]

Thanks @austinmshauri @sybbie719 for your help! @Empireapple I always knew there was the residency requirement (hence “does that go against the ETA rule”), I just didn’t know if that starts immediately after I graduate if I went to grad school. Thanks again~!