DECEMBER 15, 2009 - The New York State Legislature rejected a proposal to cut the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in an effort to close a mid-year Budget gap. In total, more than $600 million from 134 different areas of the Budget were cut, yet TAP was preserved. While safeguarding TAP, funding was reduced for student aid programs such as the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Science and Technology Entry Programs (STEP/C-STEP), Liberty Partnerships Programs, and Direct Institutional ("Bundy") Aid. More than 315,000 students benefit from student aid each year. We must continue to tell our legislators why it is important for New York students and families. Our advocacy Web site enables you to do that quickly and easily.