Parent PLUS Loans count as financial assistance for TAP application?
I'm so confused with my TAP application for NY state aid! I'm filling out the form and there's a question asking if I've 'received gifts, loans, or other financial assistance worth more than $750 from my parents.' My dad took out a Parent PLUS loan for me last year ($14,500) but technically that money went directly to my school, not to me. Do I answer YES since it's a loan 'from' my parents? Or NO since I didn't physically receive the money? The next question asks if I'll receive assistance over $750 in the coming year, and we're planning to do another Parent PLUS. I'm worried about answering wrong and messing up my eligibility. Someone please help before I submit this!
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Zara Mirza
Yes, you should answer YES to both questions. Parent PLUS loans definitely count as financial assistance from your parents even though the funds went directly to your school. The purpose of these TAP questions is to determine your level of financial dependence on your parents. Since your parent is legally responsible for the Parent PLUS loan (not you), it's considered parental support. Don't overthink the 'physically receiving the money' part - it's about who's providing the financial assistance.
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Sean Flanagan
AuthorThank you so much! That makes sense. I was really overthinking the 'receiving' part since the money went to the school. Will mark YES for both questions then.
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NebulaNinja
i think it depends on whos name the loan is in? parent plus is in ur parents name not urs so yeah thats them giving u money. but if u have ur own loans thats different
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Luca Russo
That's right. The key difference is who's legally responsible for repayment. With Parent PLUS, the parent is 100% responsible, so it's financial assistance FROM the parent TO the student.
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Nia Wilson
UGHHH I hate these TAP questions!!! I answered NO to this last year because my parents' Parent PLUS loan went directly to the bursar and I never saw a penny of it. Got denied for TAP and had to appeal. Took FOREVER to fix and I almost lost my housing because of delayed funds. Definitely mark YES!!!
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Sean Flanagan
AuthorOh no! That's exactly what I'm afraid of happening. Thanks for sharing your experience - definitely marking YES now. Did your appeal eventually work out?
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Mateo Sanchez
The Parent PLUS loan question trips up so many students on the TAP application. Here's a simple way to think about it: if your parent is taking financial responsibility for your education costs (through any means - loans, cash, etc.), you should answer YES. It doesn't matter if the money passed through your hands or went straight to the school. Also worth noting - TAP is looking at your dependency status, and having parents who provide substantial financial support (over $750) is one factor they use to determine if you're dependent or independent for state aid purposes.
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Sean Flanagan
AuthorThat's really helpful, thank you! My dad is definitely taking financial responsibility with the PLUS loan, so I'll answer YES. Does this mean I'll be considered a dependent student for TAP purposes?
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Mateo Sanchez
Yes, answering YES to those questions typically means you'll be considered dependent for TAP purposes. There are other factors too (like age, marital status, etc.), but the financial support is a big one. Being dependent isn't necessarily bad though - it just changes how they calculate your award.
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Aisha Mahmood
Have you tried calling the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to ask? Every time I've called about TAP questions I've been stuck on hold for 2+ hours and then gotten disconnected. So frustrating!
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Ethan Clark
I had the same issue trying to get through to them about my TAP application issues. After multiple disconnections, I tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to help get through to them. They have this service that holds your place in the phone queue and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of wait time. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Definitely worth it for TAP and FAFSA phone issues when you need answers quickly.
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Sean Flanagan
AuthorI didn't even try calling because I figured it would be a nightmare. Thanks for the suggestion - if I have more questions after submitting, I'll check out that service. Anything to avoid being on hold for hours!
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NebulaNinja
wait is tap different from fafsa??? i thought they were the same thing??
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Zara Mirza
They're completely different! TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) is New York State aid, while FAFSA is for federal aid. You need to complete both separately if you're in NY. TAP can give you up to around $5,800 per year depending on your situation.
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NebulaNinja
omg i had no idea!!! ive been in ny school for 2 yrs and never filled out tap!!!! am i missing out on money??
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Zara Mirza
Unfortunately, yes. You should apply ASAP at hesc.ny.gov. You might be able to get aid for the current academic year, but previous years are probably lost. The good news is you can still apply for next year.
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Luca Russo
Just to share my experience - I answered YES to this question because my mom got a Parent PLUS loan for me, and I received the maximum TAP award I qualified for. The financial aid officer at my school told me that for TAP purposes, they consider Parent PLUS loans as parental support regardless of where the money physically goes.
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Sean Flanagan
AuthorThat's really reassuring to hear! I'm definitely going with YES now. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Nia Wilson
Does anyone know if they verify your answers with your parents or FAFSA data? I'm paranoid about them cross-checking everything.
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Mateo Sanchez
Yes, NYS HESC (who administers TAP) does cross-verify data with your FAFSA and can request additional documentation if they see discrepancies. They also sometimes do income verification with tax returns. Always answer truthfully to avoid potential issues or having to pay back awards.
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Hazel Garcia
Just went through this exact same situation last month! The way I thought about it was: if my parent is legally obligated to pay back that $14,500 Parent PLUS loan (which they are), then they're essentially providing me with $14,500 in financial assistance. It doesn't matter that the money never touched my bank account - what matters is that my parent took on that debt to cover my education costs. I marked YES on both questions and had no issues with my TAP application. Better to be honest and answer YES than risk having to deal with appeals later!
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