The present scope and operation of New York State's financial aid programs, and improvements recommended by the Board of Regents, are examined and recent developments in the state's programs are reported. The Guaranteed Student Loan program showed the greatest increase in activity of all the state-administered student aid programs. Tuition assistance payments (TAP) increased from 1978-1979 to 1979-80, and the estimated number of undergraduate TAP recipients in 1979-80 increased by 13.5 percent over 1978-79. At the graduate level, there was an overall decrease of 4.2 percent in TAP recipients. Beginning in the 1979-80 academic year, the New York Higher Education Services Corporation implemented a system of income verification for all TAP recipients and their families. A new variable prepayment system for state awards has also been implemented. Among the recommendations to improve the state student financial assistance programs are the following: changes in income schedules and scales for undergraduate and graduate TAP awards; extension of eligibility for TAP awards to part-time undergraduates; and a comprehensive program of graduate student aid. Data on state-administered student aid programs and on other federal student aid programs in New York are assessed, and the relationship of state and federal aid programs is considered. (SW)