To be eligible for STEP, you must:
- Be a high school or middle school student in grades 7th-12th
- Have an 80 Average in Math, Science, and English
- Have an 80 Cumulative Average
- Be a resident of New York State
- Identify as African American, Latino, Native American, and Alaskan American, or meet state-determined economic criteria below.
1. Economic Eligibility Criteria for First-Time Students:
All economic eligibility criteria apply to the calendar year prior to the academic year of first entry into STEP. For example, 2008-2009, it is the 2007 calendar year; for 2010-2011, it is the 2009 calendar year.
A student is considered economically disadvantaged if he or she is a member of:
A household supported by one parent if dependent, by the student or by a spouse if independent, whose total annual income is not more than the applicable amount listed in the table below.
2. Exceptions:
Reference to the household income scale need not be made if the student falls into
one of the following categories, and documentation is available:
a. The student's family is the recipient of: (1) Family Assistance Program Aid; or (2)
Safety Net Assistance through the New York State Office of Temporary and
Disability Assistance, or a county department of social services; or (3) family
day-care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family
Services Assistance, or a county department of social services;
b. The student is a ward of the State or a county.
(For students first entering the Program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.)
Members in household Total annual income
(Inc. head of household) (2010)
1 $16,060
2 $21,630
3 $27,210
4 $32,790
5 $38,360
6 $43,960
7 $49,500
8 $50,070
9 $60,640
10 $66,210
11 $71,780
(add $5,570/each family member in excess of 11)
