UC Enhanced Tuition Award

To be eligible for ETA, an applicant must:

• have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less;
• be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
• have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
• be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a participating private college or university located in New York State;
• be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year applicable toward his or her degree program, through continuous study with no break in enrollment except for certain reasons that can be documented;
• if attended college prior to the current academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Enhanced Tuition Award;
• be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
• be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award(s) that you have previously received; and
• execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

Recipients of Enhanced Tuition Awards will receive $3,000 through a combination of their TAP award and ETA awards.

*Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

What is the Enhanced Tuition Awards Program?
The Enhanced Tuition Awards program provides tuition awards to students who are NYS residents attending a participating, private college located in New York State.

What does it mean to be a “NYS resident” for purposes of receiving this award?
To be considered a NYS resident for purposes of receiving this award, you must have resided in the State for 12 continuous months prior to the term for which the award is being sought.

How much can I receive from the Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) Program?
An Enhanced Tuition Awards recipient can receive up to $3,000.

Will I be able to get an award for the fall?
Yes. Eligible students will receive Enhanced Tuition Awards fall 2019.

How much income can my family earn to be eligible for an award?
Your family’s adjusted gross income can total up to $125,000 to be eligible.

Can I use my family's current income if it makes me eligible for the award?
Your family's current income or prior year adjusted gross income can be used to establish income eligibility if you, a parent or a spouse becomes disabled, divorced or separated or in the event of the death of a parent or spouse.

Can I get an award if I'm currently going to a private college?
Yes. Students who are currently attending Utica College are eligible to receive an award, provided they are currently on track to complete their degree on time.

How long can I get the award?
You are eligible to get an award for up to two years for students pursuing an associate’s degree and up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students in an undergraduate program of study normally requiring five years are eligible to receive the award for five years.

Do I need a certain grade point average to get or keep the award?
Award recipients need to earn a passing grade to maintain their Enhanced Tuition Awards, provided they earn a total of 30 credits over the course of a year, including the summer semester. Recipients should keep in mind that they may have other awards which also carry academic standards that differ from those required for the Enhanced Tuition Awards.

Can I get an award if I'm a transfer student?
A student who transferred to Utica College is eligible for an Enhanced Tuition Award if they are on track to complete on time based on the number of credits accepted by UC.

Once I receive the scholarship, is it possible to lose it?
You can lose the scholarship if you do not continue to meet all eligibility requirements. For example, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per term and complete 30 credits per year to continue to receive the scholarship.

If I completed my associate’s degree, can I receive this award to get my bachelor’s degree?
Yes, provided Utica College accepts all of the credits you earned in completing your associate’s degree, and meet all other requirements for the Enhanced Tuition Award.

Are there any other requirements that I must meet after I complete my degree?
Yes. You must live in New York State for the number of years equal to awards you received. For example, if you received four Enhanced Tuition Awards while getting your bachelor’s degree, you must live in New York State for four years after college. In addition, if you are working during those years, you must work in New York State.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in the conversion of your award to a loan.

Do students with disabilities under the ADA need to complete 30 credits per year?
No. Students with disabilities under the ADA are allowed to attend on a part-time basis and their award will be prorated.