FAFSA & TAP Application Guide

Documents a Student will need

Student FSAID - username & password
Social Security Card
Alien Registration Number - If Non-US Citizen
NYS Driver's License or Permit - if applicable
*Financial Data for two years prior (prior-prior) will be required:
- Examples: 2024-2025 FAFSA & TAP: 2022 tax data
  2025-2026 FAFSA & TAP: 2023 tax data
W2's - if student or spouse worked in the prior-prior year
Prior-prior year Federal Tax Return (1040)
Prior-prior year New York State Tax Return (IT-201)
Prior-prior year untaxed income records - if applicable

*If the student is married, tax documents listed above are required for student and spouse even if the student was not married in the prior-prior year.

If students or parents have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Service Center or give Student Central a call at 315-498-2000.

Documents a Parent will need

Dependent students (under age 24) must provide parental information. Students under 24 who are unable to provide parental information should stop by the Financial Aid Service Center or call Student Central at 315-498-2000.

Parent FSAID - username & password (only one parent needs an FSAID)
Social Security Cards
NYS Driver's license or NYS ID - if applicable (needed for TAP application)
*Financial Data for two years prior (prior-prior) will be required:
- Examples: 2024-2025 FAFSA & TAP: 2022 tax data
  2025-2026 FAFSA & TAP: 2023 tax data
W2's - if student or spouse worked in the prior-prior year
Prior-prior year Federal Tax Return (1040)
Prior-prior year New York State Tax Return (IT-201)
Prior-prior year untaxed income records - if applicable

*If parent(s) are married, tax documents listed above are required for both (if applicable) even if parent(s) were not married in the prior-prior year.

If students or parents have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Service Center or give Student Central a call at 315-498-2000.

Step 1: Create a Student and/or Parent FSAID

Skip this step if you already have your FSAID. We recommend you use Google Chrome.

In order to fill out the FAFSA, you have to create a Federal Student Aid ID. This username-password combo will allow you to fill out the form online and access information about your financial aid for years to come, including looking up any student loans you must repay after graduation. If you are a dependent student (under 24 years of age) your parent will need their own FSAID.

Go to studentaid.gov
Select Create an FSAID and follow the prompts
- It's important to provide your name, date of birth, and social security number as it appears on your social security card.
- Make sure you have access to the email and phone number you provide. You will receive six-digit security codes to verify the accounts at the end.
- Please ensure you save your username, password, and the answers to your security questions. Keep this information somewhere safe, as it is associated with your social security number.
Once you create your FSAID, go to studentaid.gov and log into the FAFSA.

If you have an FSAID already and need to retrieve your info, use the links under Manage My FSAID "Forgot my username" and "Forgot my password." If you need help resetting your FSAID, call Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243.

Onondaga Community College School Codes

FAFSA: 002875

TAP: 2185

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA Application

Go to fafsa.gov
Select: Log in - I am the student and log in using the student's FSAID (not the parent's).
Select the appropriate year. If you are doing a renewal application, click FAFSA Renewal.
You will be prompted to creat a Safe Key (keep this for future use).
Click next until you see your demographic information. This is the beginning of the FAFSA. Read each question carefully and use the hint (?) icon for additional information.

*Parent(s) Financial Information (skip if you are not required to answer parent info)

IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT): Once you reach the tax filing section for the parent(s), use the DRT if prompted. The DRT will allow parent tax info to link to your FAFSA.
- You will need the parent FSAID & page 1 of the parent 1040 federal return to locate the address; it will need to be typed in exactly as it appears on the return.
- Use federal 1040 IRS tax return to answer questions if you are unable to use the DRT.
If your parent(s) worked, but were not required to file taxes, put the amount of wages earned when prompted. Use parent(s)' W2s.
If your parent(s) did not work in 2022, put $0 and make sure you do not leave any question blank.

You will be asked if you want to skip questions, say NO. Answer all questions.

Student Financial Information

If you are married, tax documents are required for you and your spouse even if you were not married in 2022.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT): If you (student) filed taxes in 2022, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
If you worked, but were not required to file taxes, put the amount of wages earned when prompted. Use your 2022 W2s.
If you did not work in 2022, put $0 and make sure you do not leave any question blank.

You will be asked if you want to skip questions, say NO. Answer all questions.

Once you submit the FAFSA application, you will get a confirmation page. On this page, select Start your State Application Now to direct you to the NYS TAP application.

*If you have a special circumstance and are unable to provide parent information, please contact Student Central for guidance at 315-498-2000.

Step 3: Complete the NYS TAP Application

Using the link from the FAFSA confirmation page, log in to the TAP application with your HESC username and PIN.

If this is your first time applying for TAP, it will prompt you to set up an account. Make sure you save your username and PIN for future use.

Once you log in, make sure to select the academic year. Follow the prompts until you see the application with your demographic information. This is the start of the application.

Parent(s) Information (skip if you are not required to provide parent info)

Make sure you confirm parent information such as: current marital status, last name(s), social security numbers, and tax filing information.
Use parents; NYS IT-201 Tax Return from two years prior Examples: 2024-2025 FAFSA & TAP: 2022 tax data, 2025-2026 FAFSA & TAP: 2023 tax data.
For this application, you will be asked to provide your parent(s) e-signature. Please use their NYS driver's license or NYS ID to enter the requested information.

Student & Spouse Info

Use your NYS IT-201 Tax Return from two years prior Examples: 2024-2025 FAFSA & TAP: 2022 tax data, 2025-2026 FAFSA & TAP: 2023 tax data.
Make sure you confirm your financial and tax-filing information.
If married, please provide spouse's last name and SSN when prompted.

Please review the application summary for accuracy before submitting.

Accessing TAP

If you are unable to get into the application using the link from the FAFSA, you will need to wait 5 full business days. After 5 business days, follow the instructions below.

Go to hesc.ny.gov and hover over PAY and select Apply for TAP
Scroll to the bottom of the page until you see a blue link "Apply Now" and select the link
On the next screen, select "Click here" to log in
- If this is your first time apply for TAP, click on "First time users click here to register with HESC" and create your account. Save your username and PIN for future use.
- If you find that you have applied before but cannot remember your username and PIN, click on "I forgot my user ID or PIN" and follow the prompts

If you have any questions during this whole process, reach out to the Financial Aid Service Center. We can help you!