CSTEP Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

CSTEP Scholar Award Ceremony

To be an eligible applicant for the CSTEP program, you must:

  • Students must meet the minimum 12-month New York State residency requirement.
  • Be a currently enrolled Fordham University student.
  • Meet the income guidelines set by the New York State Education Department.
    • Your parent/guardian’s 1040 Income Tax form (showing you as a dependent) meets the 2021–2026 CSTEP Income Eligibility Criteria, or
    • Your family receives public assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) through the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or your county’s Department of Social Services, or

    • Your family receives family day-care payments through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services or your county’s Department of Social Services, or

    • You are in foster care or are a ward of the state or county.

For more information, feel free to contact Fordham CSTEP!

New York State Education Department C/STEP and HEOP Income Eligibility Criteria 2021-22 through 2025-2026 

# of Household Dependents 2021-22 Eligible Income 2022-23 Eligible Income 2023-24 Eligible Income 2024-25 Eligible Income 2025-26 Eligible Income
1 $23,606 $23,828 $25,142 $26,973 $27,861
2 $31,894  $32,227 $33,874 $36,482 $37,814
3 $40,182 $40,626 $42,606 $45,991 $47,767
4 $48,470  $49,025 $51,338 $55,500 $57,720
5 $56,758  $57,424 $60,070 $65,009 $67,673
6 $65,046 $65,823 $68,802 $74,518 $77,626
7 $73,334  $74,222 $77,534 $84,027 $87,579
8 $81,622  $82,621 $86,266 $93,536 $97,532

** For 2025-26, add $9,953 for each additional family member in excess of 8.