2011-01-27

Grants & Remediation

A FAQ on New York State TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) grants says this:

Can I get TAP for remedial courses? Remedial courses may be counted towards either full-time or part time enrollment for TAP purposes. However, to qualify for TAP, you must always be registered for a certain number of degree credit courses. [http://www.cuny.edu/admissions/financial-aid/grants-scholarships/nys-grants.html]

Now, why would you want to incentivize taking degree-credit courses when someone hasn't yet completed necessary remedial courses (i.e., prerequisites thereof)? In fact -- require full-time registration for credit courses prior to paying for remedial courses? Especially so when we know half or more of such students won't graduate from the program? (Link.)

That seems quite backwards. Complete the basics first (remediation), then qualify for funding for credit courses afterward.