New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
HESC administers Excelsior, TAP, and other state programs, publishes requirements and dates, and maintains application portals. The college certifies enrollment and credits and can explain how aid appears on a student account.
About New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
HESC is New York’s public agency for college grants and scholarships, including TAP and Excelsior. Its portal brings together requirements, dates, forms, and application status. Before asking for help, identify the program and academic year because a rule for one scholarship may not apply to another.
The college also participates in awarding aid: it confirms enrollment, major, credits, and documents, and explains how assistance is posted to a student account. HESC directs students to the campus financial-aid office when they need to correct information, review a study interruption, or understand their remaining balance.
HESC’s office is at 99 Washington Avenue in Albany. The published phone line is 1-888-697-4372, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays. Keep your ID number, portal messages, and submission receipts; ask whether a task belongs with HESC, the campus, or both.
Who it serves and what it can cover: HESC administers Excelsior, TAP, and other state programs, publishes requirements and dates, and maintains application portals. The college certifies enrollment and credits and can explain how aid appears on a student account.
How to apply or get help: HESC lists phone support at 1-888-697-4372, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
State higher-education financial aid agency