Get a Jump on College Exploration at Regional College Fairs

ALBANY, NY (09/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Thousands of New York State high school students are visiting college fairs scheduled throughout the fall. While students look for information about academic programs and campus life, they and their families are also thinking about the resources needed to pay for college.

The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), the State's student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college, joins fall college fairs throughout the State to provide information about federal and State financial aid, including New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs).

Stops along HESC's college fair tour include Buffalo, Rochester, Troy, White Plains, Long Island, and New York City, among others. A complete college fair schedule can be found on the HESC Web site. HESC also provides a checklist and tips to help students make the most of the college fair experience.

Acting HESC President, Elsa Magee, encourages all college-bound juniors and seniors to explore college financial aid opportunities with information available to New York State students and families at the college fairs and the HESC Web site. "HESC.org has program information and resources to help you afford a college education," she advises.

"New York is a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college students. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is one of the largest need-based student grant program in the United States," Magee stated.

In addition to TAP, HESC administers federal and state scholarships, loan forgiveness, and special award programs and the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs) to help New York State students finance their education.

About HESC: HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency, helping people pay for college and is a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC's core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2009-10, HESC helped more than 605,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $4.4 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $901 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

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