Grants & Benefits for New York Residents
New York has 14 state-specific programs in our database, plus 20 federal programs available to all residents. Use the free matcher to see which programs may fit you.
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. Returning recipients do not reapply, but must file the FAFSA and TAP each year.
Deadline: Set each year by HESC (2026-27 new applicants: August 31, 2026)
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
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 111 federal programs. Use the matcher to see which may 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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