Excelsior

NYS Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students from families earning $125,000 or less can attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.

Application and Deadlines:

2025-2026 Application: The NYS Excelsior Scholarship program will open in May 2025.

If you would like to receive Excelsior Scholarship Application updates for the 2025-26 academic year, including notification of when future applications are available, visit.

APPLY HERE

**IMPORTANT**
Current Excelsior Scholarship recipients should not complete this application. Current recipients must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year for payment.

Eligibility:

To receive award payments after the initial application year, an Excelsior Scholarship recipient must annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application each year.

An applicant must be:

  • 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 non-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 $125,000 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 2024-25 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable 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 with the 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.

A college education is increasingly necessary to secure the jobs of tomorrow, and the Excelsior Scholarship ensures New York's students have access to a quality education and the skills they need to succeed. Read more about it here:

Have questions about the Excelsior Scholarship Program, visit:
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program/excelsior-scholarship-faqs/

What you need to know about the New York State Excelsior Scholarship