NYS Escelsior Scholarship

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NYS EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP - FREE IN-STATE TUITION PROGRAM

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other financial aid programs, allows qualified students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college (including community colleges) tuition-free.  To be eligible, an applicant must:

  • be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;

  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible on-citizen;

  • have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;

  • have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less;

  • be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;

  • be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program;

  • if attended college prior to the 2017-18 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicatble toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship;

  • be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;

  • be in compliance witht he terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a NYS award that you have previously received; and

  • execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

AWARD AMOUNT

A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship may receive up to $5,500.

To determine the award amount, the resident tuition rate charged by SUNY (currently $6,470) or CUNY (currently $6,330) will be reduced by the amount of certain other student financial aid awards which an applicant has or will receive for the academic year, including a NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award and/or federal Pell grant. The Excelsior Scholarship will cover any remaining tuition liability up to $5,500; and a tuition credit will cover any remaining tuition expenses not covered by the Excelsior Scholarship.

Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this shoould be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.  

 APPLY OR FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE NYS EXCELSIOR PROGRAM