Merkaz Bnos believes that every qualified student, regardless of financial ability, should be able to obtain an education. Federal and New York State student financial aid is available to help pay for the college. In order to receive financial aid you must apply for it every year you attend college. Always start with free money. Grants do not have to be paid back.

The Financial Aid Office helps match qualified applicants with the best aid programs to achieve their educational goals.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid as soon as they are admitted. Applicants are invited to meet individually with a financial aid officer to discuss their eligibility, application requirements, and available sources. To apply, they’ll need to initially submit:

• A valid social security card;
• A valid driver’s license or any other form of official picture ID;
• Proof of citizenship or eligible non-citizen status.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Foreign High School Diplomas or Transcripts (High School Diplomas/Transcripts from other countries are acceptable toward the student eligibility, as long as diploma is equivalent to a U.S. High School Diploma)
• Students, for whom English is not their first language, and who graduated from a foreign high school, may be required to take an ESL Placement test and/or an ATB test.

After the first interview, students will receive an itemized list of additional documents that will need to be submitted for financial aid consideration at a subsequent interview.

Federal Pell Grant provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need according to federal government criteria. Among the factors used to determine need are family size, family income, assets, and number of family members enrolled in college.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who are registered for at least a half-time.

Awards are based on the expected family contribution. Students are limited to a lifetime amount of 600% of scheduled Pell awards (this is equivalent to 12 full-time semester payments). For the 2024-2025 award year, the maximum award is $7,395.00.

Completing the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is the first step to financial aid. The information you provide determines whether you are eligible for federal financial aid, and the amount you are qualified to receive.

Students must meet general and program-specific eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education, which include the following:

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid Social Security number.
• Have financial need (except for some loan programs).
• Have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Be enrolled at least half time as a regular student in an eligible program and working toward a certificate.
• Not owe a refund on a grant or be in default on a student loan.
• Demonstrate compliance with applicable anti-drug regulations.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as a student.

To qualify for TAP, an applicant must be a legal resident of New York State and be registered for a full-time program. Students must be enrolled in a program that has at least 1440 instructional hours. The amount of the award varies depending on income, financial dependency status, and the cost of tuition. For 2025-26, TAP grants for first-time recipients range between $500 and $4,500 per award year for students who are dependent on their parents, or who are financially independent and are married and have legal tax dependents. Awards for single independent students without dependents and married students without dependents range between $500 and $3,525 per award year.

The deadline for submitting TAP Grant application to HESC is June 30, 2026 for the 2025-26 Academic Year.

Students must:

• Meet the general federal eligibility requirements.
• Be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in New York State for at least 12 months.
• Be enrolled in the full-time program and has at least 1440 instructional hours.
• Not be in default on repayment of State awards or on a student loan.
• Have proof of high school graduation.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to standards prescribed by New York State. See the “SAP Chart.
• Students with foreign high school credentials must pass a federally approved ATB CELSA / ACCUPLACER test or a High School Equivalency (GED)/TASC before they receive their first TAP reward.

All financial aid Federal Pell and NYS TAP grants are credited to student’s account when received, every semester/payment period that student is enrolled in an eligible program.

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