The present scope and operation of New York State's financial aid programs are described, and improvements aimed at the enlargement of educational opportunity are recommended. The state's student financial aid programs (loans and grants) for 1980-81 totaled $1,139.2 million, of which $247.2 million was for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), $874.2 million was for loans, and $17.8 million was expended for other grant and scholarship programs. Of all state-administered student aid programs, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program showed the greatest increase in activity. The average TAP award for undergraduates increased by an estimated 5.9 percent between 1979-80 and 1980-81 ($803 to $850). For graduate students, the estimated average TAP awards for all sectors increased slightly, from $382 to $389. The Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program is a new program to provide additional aid to undergraduate students who are educationally disadvantaged, carrying a remedial workload, and are unable to meet academic progress requirements. Commencing in 1981-82, the state will reimburse independent colleges and universities for their share of expenditures under the Federal College Work-Study Program. Changes in the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program, revision to program pursuit and satisfactory academic program regulations, and new awards for children of persons who die in police or fire duty are outlined. The scope of state-administered and federal student aid programs is reviewed, along with the relationship of programs at the two levels of government. Trends in awards and payments in the TAP are also reviewed. Recommendations regarding TAP awards and a Regents Fellowship Program for first-time doctoral students are offered. (SW)