FAFSA and TAP Applications 2026-2027
Here are some key tips to help ensure you and your family are ready:
Create a StudentAid.gov Account: Both students and their contributors (parents/ guardians) will need an account before they can submit a FAFSA.
Gather Necessary Documents: Have key documents ready, like tax returns, W-2s, and Social Security numbers.
Double-Check Deadlines: Emphasize the importance of submitting applications early to maximize financial aid opportunities.
Need Help? Register for a Free Virtual Event- hesc.ny.gov/get-help/find-event/event-calendar/
HESC Text Alerts: Students can sign up for HESC Text alerts and get deadline reminders and tips right to their phones- www.hesc.ny.gov/get-help/sign-text-alerts
Help with Financial Aid, Scholarship Searches, College and Career Planning
Employment/ Training Programs
Department of Labor- https://www.ny.gov/services/employment
Apprenticeship Programs
https://labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/general/registration.shtm- through Department of Labor
https://nabtu.org/- North American Building Trades website
https://tradesfutures.org/- Information about building trades apprenticeships across the US
https://apprenticeshipworksny.org/- Information about building trades apprenticeships in New York
The Workplace of Jefferson County NY- https://co.jefferson.ny.us/Theworkplace
Civil Service Exams (exams that are required for certain government jobs)
Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs (40 hours per week paid training program): Or Home Health Aide Training Program (38 hours per week paid training program):
(must be 18 years old)
Samaritan Health Center Human Resources 315-783-8079 or apply online- https://samaritanhealth.com/careers/careers-education/education-training-opportunities/cna-training-program/
Adult BOCES programs: https://www.boces.com/o/adult-education/page/programs-and-services (315) 779-7220
Lineman Institute of the Northeast, Kingston, NY- 15 week training program, tuition fees
https://www.linemeninstitute.com/
North American Lineman Training Center, McEwen, TN- 15 week training program, tuition fees- https://naltc.com/
Southeast Lineman Training Center, Trenton, GA- 15 week training program, tuition fees- https://www.lineworker.com/
Overhead Electric Line Worker Certificate (3 semesters of college, tuition fees)
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY- https://www.hvcc.edu/
Jefferson Community College- Workforce Trainings & Microcredentials- https://sunyjefferson.edu/academics/programs/workforce.php- Contact the JCC Workforce Development and Business Division at 315-786-2233 to sign up or for more information
Military
Military career guide- www.todaysmilitary.com
College- Scholarships & Financial Aid
www.finaid.org (financial aid information & estimator)
https://studentaid.gov (pre-planning for the FAFSA & a financial aid estimator, access the FAFSA)
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (create your FSA ID numbers for the FAFSA)
www.hesc.ny.gov (Financial aid information, NYS Scholarships- Excelsior Scholarship, TAP, etc)
www.fastweb.com (Scholarship search)
www.questbridge.org (College Prep Scholarship for high school juniors with strong academic record & household income of <$65,000. National College Match program pairs high-achieving & low-income students with admissions & scholarships to 39 colleges.)
https://www.collegepoint.info/ (College application and financial aid advising for students with a GPA of 88 or higher, tested in the 90th percentile on the PSAT/NMSQT (Math and Critical Reading combined score of 1280), SAT (Math and Critical Reading combined score of 1350) or ACT (composite score of 29), have an annual family income of less than $80,000 (ask a parent/guardian if you aren’t sure about your family’s annual income), & will be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree)
https://uncf.org/scholarships (Scholarship source for minority families)
www.hsf.net (Scholarship source for Latino families)
www.ncld.org (Students with learning disabilities)
www.scholarships.com (Scholarship search)
https://www.raise.me/ (RaiseMe is a social enterprise focused on expanding access to higher education, especially among low-income and first-generation students. RaiseMe enables students to earn scholarships throughout high school, starting as early as 9th grade, for doing all the things that best prepare them to succeed, whether that’s getting good grades, volunteering in the community or joining an extracurricular.)
https://myscholly.com/ (Scholarship search)
www.gocollege.com (Scholarship search)
www.mymajors.com (Search for college by major)
www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool (College search)
http://www.schoolsoup.com (Scholarship information)
www.nysfaaa.org (Financial Aid Information)
www.offtocollege.com (Scholarship & College planning)
www.nelliemae.org (Student Loan Information)
www.nysaves.org (NYS 529 College Savings Program)
www.upromise.com (Ways to save for college)
www.studentscholarships.org (Search for scholarships, majors, careers)
www.usnews.com/rankings (US News & World Report college & career rankings)
ROTC Scholarships
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships
https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/
https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/
College- Application Process
www.ncaa.org/playcollegesports (Sports scholarship information)
https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ (NCAA Clearinghouse) Students intending to participate in Division I or Division II sports MUST complete the NCAA Clearinghouse application during their senior year!!
www.actstudent.org (On-line registration for the ACT & college search)
www.collegeboard.org (On-line registration for the SAT I & the SAT II Subject Tests)
www.suny.edu (Information on New York’s 2-year & 4-year SUNY schools & on-line application)
www.commonapp.org (on-line Common Application for 700 colleges & universities)