College & Education in New York

17 verified resources.

About College & Education for Fathers

Education resources for fathers include financial aid, adult education, workforce training, and college programs with on-site childcare. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the gateway to Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and state aid. Pell Grants provide up to approximately $7,000 per year to low-income students and don't require repayment. GED and HiSET programs operate in every state through adult education providers, often free. Community colleges offer lower-cost two-year degrees and certificate programs in high-demand trades. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds training for eligible adults and dislocated workers. For fathers returning to school, on-campus childcare (often subsidized through the CCAMPIS grant), emergency aid funds, and single-parent scholarships make enrollment feasible. This directory covers state FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education programs, and single-dad scholarships.

College & Education in New York

New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC provide substantial family law aid.

17 Resources

1. SUNY — State University of New York — Paid

64-campus system — the largest comprehensive public university system in the US. Offers associate through doctoral degrees at affordable in-state tuition starting around $7,070/year. SmartTrack financial aid guide helps students identify aid. Call (518) 320-1100 or visit suny.edu. Apply to multiple SUNY campuses through the free ApplyNY portal. TAP and Excelsior Scholarship available to qualifying students.

(518) 320-1100 · 353 Broadway, Albany, NY 12246 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

2. CUNY — City University of New York — Paid

25-campus public university system serving NYC. Offers associate through doctoral degrees at affordable tuition. Free tuition available under the Excelsior Scholarship for eligible students. Serves 500,000+ students annually. Call (212) 794-5555 or visit cuny.edu. Apply through cuny.edu/admissions. TAP, Pell Grants, and CUNY ASAP program available. Campuses located throughout all five boroughs.

(212) 794-5555 · 205 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

3. FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid — Free

Required first step to access all federal student aid including Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year in free money), Stafford Loans, and work-study. Also required for NY TAP and Excelsior Scholarship. File free at studentaid.gov or call (800) 433-3243. File as early as October for the next academic year. Bring prior year tax returns and Social Security number. No cost to file the FAFSA.

(800) 433-3243 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. NY TAP — Tuition Assistance Program — Free

New York State grants up to $5,665/year for full-time SUNY or CUNY students. Income-based and does not need to be repaid. Apply through HESC after filing FAFSA. Call (888) 697-4372 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Award amounts depend on household income and school attended. Must be a NY resident enrolled at least half-time. Also available at some private NY colleges. Apply annually when filing FAFSA.

(888) 697-4372 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

5. NY Excelsior Scholarship — Free SUNY/CUNY Tuition — Free

NY's last-dollar tuition scholarship covering remaining tuition at SUNY or CUNY after Pell Grant and TAP are applied, for families earning up to

25,000/year. Must complete 30 credits per academic year to maintain eligibility. Apply through HESC at hesc.ny.gov after filing FAFSA. Call (888) 697-4372 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Recipients must work in NY for the same number of years they received the award.

(888) 697-4372 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

6. NY HESC — Higher Education Services Corporation — Free

NY State agency overseeing TAP, Excelsior Scholarship, and 20+ other scholarships and grants for NY college students. Apply for all NY financial aid programs through HESC at hesc.ny.gov after filing FAFSA. Call (888) 697-4372 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Office at 99 Washington Avenue, Albany. Staff can answer questions about eligibility, application status, disbursement, and renewal requirements.

(888) 697-4372 · 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

7. ACCES-VR — Vocational Rehabilitation (NY) — Free

NY State vocational rehabilitation program for people with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities. Funds job training, college tuition, assistive technology, and supported employment services. Free to eligible individuals. Call (800) 222-5627 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Apply at acces.nysed.gov/vr. Eligible participants are assigned a vocational counselor who develops an individualized plan for employment.

(800) 222-5627 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

8. NY 529 College Savings Program — Paid

Tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan for NY families. State income tax deduction up to $5,000/year (

0,000 for married filers). No minimum amount required to open an account. Funds grow tax-free when used for qualified education expenses. Call (877) 697-2837 or visit nysaves.org. Open an account online in minutes. Savings can be used at colleges nationwide, not just SUNY or CUNY.

(877) 697-2837 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

9. CUNY ASAP — Accelerated Study in Associate Programs — Free

CUNY's nationally recognized support program helping community college students graduate with an associate degree in three years. Benefits include free tutoring, career counseling, unlimited MetroCards, textbook assistance, and course fee waivers. Call (212) 794-5555 or visit cuny.edu for enrollment info. Available at all CUNY community colleges. Students must apply and meet academic requirements to participate.

(212) 794-5555 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

10. SUNY Community Colleges — 30 Campuses — Paid

SUNY operates 30 community colleges across New York offering affordable tuition, workforce certificates, associate degrees, and clear transfer pathways to 4-year SUNY schools. Call (518) 320-1100 or visit suny.edu/attend/types-of-schools/community-colleges for a campus list. Tuition averages $5,000–$7,000 per year. Financial aid, Excelsior Scholarship, and TAP available. Part-time and evening programs offered.

(518) 320-1100 · 30 campuses statewide · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

11. Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) — Private Colleges — Free

NY State tuition assistance for students at private non-profit NY colleges. Up to $6,000/year for families earning

25,000 or less. Must already receive TAP to be eligible. Apply through HESC at hesc.ny.gov after filing FAFSA. Call (888) 697-4372 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Participating private colleges must agree to freeze tuition for eligible students for the duration of the award period.

(888) 697-4372 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

12. NY Adult Education — Literacy & GED Prep — Free

Free adult basic education, ESL, GED prep, and high school equivalency programs through NYSED. Classes offered at community colleges, libraries, and adult learning centers statewide. Call (518) 474-8940 or search nysed.gov for a program near you. Classes are free for adults 21 and older. Flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. TASC (HSE) diploma awarded upon passing the equivalency exam.

(518) 474-8940 · Programs statewide · Varies by program · Visit Website

13. GI Bill — VA Education Benefits in New York — Free

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full tuition at SUNY/CUNY campuses plus a monthly housing allowance and book stipend for qualifying veterans and service members. Apply at va.gov/education or call (888) 442-4551. Bring DD-214 and school enrollment documentation. Benefits are also transferable to dependents in some cases. NY Veterans Tuition Award supplements GI Bill for additional SUNY/CUNY tuition coverage.

(888) 442-4551 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

14. NY Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) — Free

Full tuition award at SUNY or CUNY for eligible NY veterans who served in defined hostilities. Covers undergraduate and graduate degree programs at any SUNY or CUNY campus. Apply through HESC at hesc.ny.gov after filing FAFSA. Call (888) 697-4372 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Eligibility requires honorable discharge and NY residency. Award is in addition to GI Bill benefits for qualifying veterans.

(888) 697-4372 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

15. Khan Academy — Free Online Learning — Free

100% free online courses in math, science, computing, economics, history, and test prep. Self-paced with interactive practice exercises and instant feedback. Great for GED prep, HISET readiness, and college refresher work. Available in English and Spanish. No account required to start learning. Create a free account to track progress. Visit khanacademy.org 24/7 from any device or browser.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

16. ApplyNY — SUNY Application Portal — Free

Free online portal to apply to any of SUNY's 64 campuses across New York State. Submit one application to be considered at multiple campuses. Application fee waivers available for qualifying students including those receiving financial aid or from low-income households. Visit suny.edu/attend/apply to start. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Contact each campus's admissions office for specific deadlines.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

17. NY State Apprenticeship Program — DOL — Free

Earn while you learn through NY State registered apprenticeships in construction, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction. Apprentices earn journeyworker wages upon completion. Call (518) 457-6820 Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm or visit dol.ny.gov/apprenticeship. Programs last 1–5 years. No college degree required to apply. Often sponsored by unions and employers.

(518) 457-6820 · Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm · Visit Website

College & Education — Common Questions

What do I do first if I want to go back to school?: Fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It's free and takes about 30 minutes. Results determine eligibility for Pell Grants (up to ~$7,000/year), Direct Loans, and state grants. Apply even if you think you won't qualify — results often surprise.
Is there childcare on college campuses?: Many community colleges and some universities operate on-campus childcare, often subsidized through the CCAMPIS federal grant for low-income student parents. Financial aid can sometimes cover childcare as a cost of attendance.
Can I get a GED online?: Yes. The official GED test is offered online (with in-home proctoring) and at testing centers. HiSET (used in some states instead of GED) is similar. Free prep through state adult education providers and through Khan Academy's free GED prep.
What is WIOA training?: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds short-term training for eligible adults, often up to
0,000 or more for in-demand occupations. Apply through your local American Job Center. Programs cover CDL, welding, nursing, IT, HVAC, and many others.