We are dismayed to learn that Governor Paterson has passed a law to retroactively cut a college student’s grant, and to do so without even alerting the family of the change. NYS revised TAP regulations (NYS Educational Law section 663 Part F) require applicants to add state, local and federal pensions to determine a student’s college grant to the state form. This change took back a promise of $4,300 in college grant money from just one year of our daughter’s college education.
In mid-April my daughter was notified that she would be receiving TAP award close to the maximum of $4,866 for the upcoming school year. However, the award letter stated a new requirement that all pensions must be included to the NY State TAP Form (the pension monies are already on the FAFSA forms). After again adding my husband’s pension from over 20 years service in the NYPD, our daughter’s TAP award was cut to just $500.
My daughter must not be the only college-bound student affected by this effort by the governor to trim budget costs at the expense of our children’s future. In an era when politicians, educators and business leaders alike recognize and applaud the importance of an advanced education, it is inconceivable for the state to rip educational opportunities away from its future leaders.
It is important that all college-aged students and their parents be aware of the governor’s actions to stymie their education and forestall the improvement of their lives.
Denise Turetsky, President,
Farmingdale High School PTA
Detective (ret.) Mark Turetsky, NYPD
