Higher Education Services Corporation, New York State

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Agency Web Site: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) provides centralized processing of student financial aid programs. HESC administers the State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the Federal Family Education Loan Program and other State and Federal aid programs.

Organization and Staffing

HESC is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of 15 members. Ten members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, the remaining five members serve in an ex-officio capacity and consist of the SED Commissioner, SUNY Chancellor, CUNY Chancellor, SUNY Student Assembly President, and Chair of the CUNY Student Senate. Daily operations are managed by HESC’s President and senior administrative staff.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends $1.2 billion in All Funds support for HESC and projects a workforce of 220 consistent with FY 2017 levels

The FY 2018 funding level represents a $41 million net increase from the previous year reflecting a new free tuition program named the Excelsior Scholarship offset in part by estimated enrollment changes in the Tuition Assistance Program and scholarships.

The Executive Budget includes a new Excelsior Scholarship Program, a first in the nation tuition-free degree program that will enable students to attend tuition free for working and middle-class families making up to $125,000 annually. To qualify for an Excelsior Scholarship, students must be a resident of New York and be on track to complete their chosen degree in two or four years. Funding for the award fully covers the cost of tuition after TAP, Pell and other financial aid awards are applied.

The FY 2018 Executive Budget supports the advancement of undocumented immigrants by enabling them to apply for state financial assistance under a DREAM Act.

The FY 2018 Executive Budget also continues funding for the Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program, which provides federal student loan relief to New York residents who graduate from college and continue to live in the State for the first two years out of school if their income is not high enough to cover their student debt burden without significant financial hardship.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Higher Education (PDF)

Program Highlights

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP is one of the largest need-based grant programs in the nation, and the cornerstone of New York’s student financial aid programs. In 2015-16, more than 355,000 New Yorkers attending college were awarded more than $956 million in TAP funds to help pay their college tuition costs – with an average annual award of $3,302 per recipient.

Targeted Scholarship, Loan Forgiveness and Award Programs

During 2015-16, HESC-administered State scholarship and loan forgiveness programs provided tens of thousands of students with targeted awards towards their pursuit of a college education, with over $57.5 million going to support the college costs of more than 37,000 students. The Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program provides Federal student loan relief to New York residents who graduate from college and continue to live in the state for the first two years out of school if their income is not high enough to cover their student debt burden without significant financial hardship.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2017
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2018
Change From
FY 2017
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2018
State Operations 64,210,000 64,156,000 (54,000) 10,680,000
Aid To Localities 1,136,176,000 1,176,850,000 40,674,000 3,933,000
Total 1,200,386,000 1,241,006,000 40,620,000 14,613,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2017
Estimated FTEs
03/31/17
FY 2018
Estimated FTEs
03/31/18
FTE Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other 220 220 0
Total 220 220 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2017
Recommended
FY 2018
Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 3,500,000 3,500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 60,710,000 60,656,000 (54,000)
Total 64,210,000 64,156,000 (54,000)
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund (322,000)
Appropriated FY 2017 63,888,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2017
Recommended
FY 2018
Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other 60,710,000 60,656,000 (54,000)
Student Grant and Award Programs
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 3,500,000 3,500,000 0
Total 64,210,000 64,156,000 (54,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 60,656,000 (54,000) 15,234,000 (270,000)
Student Grant and Award Programs 3,500,000 0 0 0
Total 64,156,000 (54,000) 15,234,000 (270,000)
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 45,422,000 216,000
Student Grant and Award Programs 3,500,000 0
Total 48,922,000 216,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2017
Recommended
FY 2018
Change
General Fund 1,135,176,000 1,175,850,000 40,674,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 1,000,000 1,000,000 0
Total 1,136,176,000 1,176,850,000 40,674,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2017
Recommended
FY 2018
Change
Student Grant and Award Programs
General Fund 1,135,176,000 1,175,850,000 40,674,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 1,000,000 1,000,000 0
Total 1,136,176,000 1,176,850,000 40,674,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017