Governor Hochul Announces Higher Education Services 2025-26 Annual Report, Highlighting a Year of Progress in College Affordability and Access
Published
Nearly $1 Billion in Financial Aid Helps Approximately 300,000 New York Students Pursue Higher Education
2025 College Application Month Saved New York Families $15 Million in Application Fees
Expanded Financial Aid Programs, New Resources and Statewide Outreach Break Down Barriers for Students and Families
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation's (HESC) 2025-26 Annual Report, highlighting a year of progress in breaking down barriers to higher education and helping more New Yorkers access financial aid, resources and support they need to pursue their college goals. Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, HESC administered nearly $1 billion in financial aid to approximately 300,000 students, introduced new programs, improved services and strengthened partnerships to reach more students and families across the state. These efforts reflect New York’s continued commitment to making higher education more affordable, accessible and attainable for all.
“New York is setting the national standard for expanding access to affordable higher education and ensuring that opportunity is within reach for every student,” Governor Hochul said. “Through historic investments in financial aid, including the expansion of our Tuition Assistance Program and new pathways for working students and veterans, we are delivering on our commitment to make college more affordable for New York families. We will continue breaking down financial barriers, opening doors to opportunity and investing in the next generation of New Yorkers who will drive our state’s economy and shape its future.”
Building on the Governor's historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), HESC continued to advance college affordability and access for students of all backgrounds. The report highlights progress in expanding financial aid eligibility, improving the student experience and strengthening partnerships with educators, colleges and community organizations throughout New York State.
Key Highlights from the 2025-26 Annual Report
College Application Month Success
During the 2025 New York State College Application Month, 130 colleges and universities waived application fees for nearly 300,000 college application submissions, saving New York families an estimated $15 million in application fees. 670 high schools participated in the initiative, providing support and resources that helped students complete their applications and take the first step on their college journey. For the first time, iconic state landmarks across New York were illuminated in navy and green to raise awareness of the initiative and encourage students to take advantage of application fee waivers.
Expanded Access to Financial Aid
HESC administered $1 billion in state financial aid to nearly 300,000 students, including 152,438 students who newly benefited from the increased maximum TAP income threshold. Additional changes consolidated three part-time financial aid programs into a single Part-Time TAP program and reduced the minimum enrollment requirement from six to three credits, making financial aid more accessible to students balancing education with work and family responsibilities.
More Support for New York's Veterans
The expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award (VTA), effective July 2025, eliminated the combat service requirement for veterans with at least four years of active-duty service and extended eligibility to combat veterans regardless of their length of service. Over the past year, the expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award has driven a nearly 70% increase in the number of veterans receiving support by pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees or vocational training.
Strong FAFSA Completion Rates
New York continued to rank among the nation's leaders in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completions. As of June 2026, New York ranked sixth nationally, with FAFSA completions increasing nearly six percent compared to the previous graduating class. During Financial Aid Awareness Month in April alone, more than 160,000 FAFSA applications and 35,000 TAP applications were submitted.
New Financial Aid Resources
HESC launched its Financial Aid Navigator in Fall 2025, helping students identify financial aid grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness programs for which they may qualify. The agency also introduced its FAFSA Completion Dashboard in April 2026, providing statewide and local FAFSA completion data to help educators, the legislature and other partners identify and view FAFSA completion rates by school district, legislative district, county, and city/town. This data helps identify where gaps in FAFSA completion remain and where additional support may be needed.
Expanded Outreach and Partnerships
Each year, HESC hosts hundreds of in-person and virtual events during each academic year. In 2025-26, more than 12,000 students, families, and academic partners were supported through a HESC-sponsored event. The agency also expanded its network to more than 130 community and academic organizations, which helped HESC extend its reach into local communities.
Inaugural College Access Conference
Marking a pivotal moment for New York State, in March 2026, HESC hosted New York's first statewide College Access Conference in Albany, bringing together financial aid professionals, school counselors and higher education leaders to share strategies for helping students access and pay for college. The event also featured the inaugural New York State College Access Awards, recognizing 30 individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to expanding educational opportunities.
Improved Customer Service and Technology
HESC advanced its Financial Aid Modernization Project, including selecting a vendor to develop a new student aid processing portal designed to simplify application processing and improve efficiency. In March 2026, the agency also restored direct inbound calling at its customer contact center, eliminating the reservation system and making it easier for New Yorkers to receive assistance.
Strengthening Partnerships to Expand College Access
Collaboration remained central to HESC's efforts throughout the academic year. Working alongside SUNY, CUNY, the New York State Education Department, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, the Association of Private College, school counselors and community organizations, the agency expanded its reach and provided students and families with additional guidance to apply for and pay for college.
HESC also strengthened its commitment to improving the client experience, earning recognition from Government Technology for its redesigned website, which received the Best Application Serving the Public award in September 2025. In April 2026, HESC was also named a Top Workplace of the Capital Region by the Times Union, recognizing the agency's supportive, mission-driven workplace culture.
The accomplishments outlined in the 2025-26 Annual Report reflect HESC's continued commitment to removing financial barriers and ensuring that New Yorkers have the tools, information and support needed to pursue higher education.
HESC Acting President Doris B. González said, “Behind every financial aid award is a student working toward a brighter future, and that’s what drives everything we do at HESC. This year’s accomplishments reflect not only the dedication of our staff, but also the tremendous partnerships we’ve built with educators, colleges and community organizations across New York State. Whether we’re simplifying the financial aid process, expanding outreach or developing new tools to support students and families, our focus remains on making higher education more accessible and affordable for every New Yorker.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “The Tuition Assistance Program has empowered families throughout New York State to pursue the affordable, excellent SUNY education of their dreams. Financial aid programs like TAP have made it possible for over half of our instate undergraduate students to attend a SUNY institution tuition free. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their steadfast commitment to supporting SUNY and our students.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “The Tuition Assistance Program has empowered families throughout New York State to pursue the affordable, excellent SUNY education of their dreams. Financial aid programs like TAP have made it possible for over half of our instate undergraduate students to attend a SUNY institution tuition free. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their steadfast commitment to supporting SUNY, and our students.”
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “By eliminating tuition costs for thousands of CUNY students, the Excelsior Scholarship remains an important pillar of college affordability. Coupled with our state’s comprehensive financial aid programs, Excelsior reinforces CUNY’s role as an engine of social mobility, allowing graduates to enter the workforce debt free. We applaud Governor Hochul’s support for public higher education, which ensures that economic circumstances never limit a student’s potential.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Education is often referred to as the great equalizer, yet systemic barriers continue to limit access to educational opportunities. NY’s financial aid programs help remove barriers that stand between students with limited financial resources and their educational aspirations. These programs promote greater equity, empower countless students to pursue their goals and enable them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “New York’s investment in financial aid helps students turn their college goals into degrees, careers and contributions to their communities. For students at New York's private, non-profit colleges and universities, TAP remains an essential source of support. CICU is proud to partner with HESC on College Application Month and financial aid outreach that help families navigate the college process and access available assistance. We applaud HESC’s continued work to make that process simpler and help more New Yorkers pursue the education that’s right for them.”
New York's Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, "Over the past few years, New York has taken great strides toward making higher education more affordable and accessible to current and prospective students and their families. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul and HESC, all four sectors of the industry have come together to support and promote the initiatives and financial resources that help more New Yorkers to pursue the education they need to secure stable employment in high demand workforces across the Empire State. We are proud of all that we have achieved and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful.
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