Grants & Benefits for New York Residents
New York has 15 state-specific programs in our database, plus 20+ federal programs available to all residents. Use the free matcher to find what you personally qualify for.
New York-Specific Programs
Programs administered by New York state agencies.
NY Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
New York's largest need-based grant program. Can be used at NY public or private degree-granting institutions.
Deadline: May 1
NY Excelsior Scholarship (Tuition-Free)
Covers remaining tuition after TAP and Pell for full-time students at CUNY or SUNY whose family earns under $125,000/year.
Deadline: October 1
NY State Homes and Community Renewal — HomeFirst
NYC's HomeFirst program provides up to $100,000 forgivable loans for eligible first-time homebuyers in New York City.
Deadline: Rolling
New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
New York's primary grant program for residents attending NY colleges. Stackable with Pell Grant — a low-income NY student can receive $13,000+ combined.
Deadline: May 1 annually
NY Excelsior Scholarship — Tuition-Free College
Makes SUNY and CUNY tuition free for qualifying NY families. Fills the gap between Pell, TAP, and tuition — families earning up to $125,000 can qualify.
Deadline: July 21 annually
New York HEAP — Home Energy Assistance Program
NY's LIHEAP program covering heating and cooling costs. One of the most generous state energy assistance programs — NY HEAP has emergency components, shutoff prevention, and equipment repair.
Deadline: November 1 – May (regular); year-round emergency
New York State & City Earned Income Tax Credit
NY State EITC is 30% of the federal EITC amount. NYC residents get an additional 5-30% supplement. Stackable for NYC residents for very significant refundable credits.
Deadline: Annual — April 15 tax filing
NY Medicaid & Essential Plan
NY Medicaid covers more income levels than most states. The Essential Plan (unique to NY) provides comprehensive health coverage for $0-$20/month for income 138-200% FPL.
Deadline: Rolling
NY Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) & CityFHEPS
NY ERAP and NYC's CityFHEPS voucher program provide rental assistance for low-income New Yorkers. CityFHEPS is a long-term housing subsidy for NYC residents at risk of homelessness.
Deadline: Rolling — check current status
NY Empire State Development Small Business
ESD offers multiple programs for NY small businesses including the Linked Deposit Program, Minority & Women Business loans, and periodic grant programs for small businesses.
Deadline: Rolling
NY Homes for Veterans Program
SONYMA's Homes for Veterans program offers reduced-rate mortgage financing exclusively for NY veterans. Can be combined with down payment assistance.
Deadline: Rolling
NY Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
NY subsidizes childcare costs for working families earning up to 85% of state median income. New expansions in 2024 made hundreds of thousands of additional families eligible.
Deadline: Rolling — apply through local DSS
NY Clean Energy Workforce (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA funds clean energy workforce training at NY community colleges — solar installation, energy efficiency, EV technology, and building performance. Stipends available for eligible participants.
Deadline: Rolling
NY Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
NY's ERAP provides substantial rental and utility assistance to households impacted by economic hardship. Ongoing state-funded successor programs continue to assist NY renters.
Deadline: Rolling — check HCR for current status
NY Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) + ConEd Rebates
NY HEAP provides heating and cooling assistance to income-eligible households. Major NY utilities (ConEd, National Grid, NYSEG) offer separate rebate programs for efficiency upgrades.
Deadline: HEAP opens November annually
Federal Programs Available in New York
Administered by federal agencies and available to eligible residents in all 50 states. Showing 20 of 94 federal programs — use the matcher to see all that fit your situation.
Federal Pell Grant
Need-based grant for undergraduate students who haven't earned a bachelor's degree. Does not need to be repaid.
Deadline: Rolling — FAFSA opens Oct 1
Federal SEOG Grant
Supplemental grant for undergrads with exceptional financial need. Funds limited — priority to earliest FAFSA filers.
Deadline: Varies by school
TEACH Grant
For students planning to teach in high-need fields at low-income schools. Converts to loan if service requirement unmet.
Deadline: Rolling
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33)
Covers tuition at state schools plus housing allowance and book stipend for veterans who served 90+ days post-9/11.
Deadline: Rolling
Head Start Program
Federally funded comprehensive early childhood education for ages 3–5 from low-income families. Covers school readiness, health, nutrition, and family services. Early Head Start serves 0–3.
Deadline: Rolling — contact local program
WIC — Women, Infants & Children
Nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, and healthcare referrals for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5.
Deadline: Rolling
Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF)
Helps low-income working families pay for childcare. Each state administers its own version of this federal block grant.
Deadline: Rolling
TANF — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Monthly cash assistance for low-income families with children. Each state runs its own program with different benefit levels and work requirements.
Deadline: Rolling
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Federal rental assistance for low-income families, elderly, and disabled. Tenants pay 30% of income; voucher covers the rest up to a payment standard.
Deadline: Waitlist — check local HA
USDA Home Repair Grants (Section 504)
Grants and loans for very low-income rural homeowners to repair homes or remove health/safety hazards.
Deadline: Rolling
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
Helps low-income households pay heating and cooling costs. Administered locally through Community Action Agencies.
Deadline: Rolling — varies by state
SBIR Phase I Grant
Seed funding for small businesses to explore R&D feasibility for federal agencies. America's largest innovation grant program.
Deadline: Varies by agency
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
9-year mentoring and contracting program for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.
Deadline: Rolling
WOSB Federal Contracting Set-Asides
Federal contracts reserved for women-owned small businesses in underrepresented industries.
Deadline: Ongoing via SAM.gov
SDVOSB Contracting Set-Asides
Federal contracts reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Deadline: Ongoing via SAM.gov
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
Pre-approved contract vehicle allowing any federal agency to buy your commercial products/services without competitive bid.
Deadline: Rolling
SNAP (Food Stamps)
Monthly EBT card benefits to buy food at authorized retailers. Average ~$175/person/month.
Deadline: Rolling
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
Medical care and support for people with HIV who lack adequate insurance coverage.
Deadline: Rolling
IRA Home Efficiency Tax Credits (25C/25D)
30% federal tax credits for insulation, windows, heat pumps, and solar panels.
Deadline: Through 2032
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Free insulation, air sealing, HVAC repair, and energy-efficient upgrades for low-income households.
Deadline: Rolling
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