New York Excelsior Scholarship: What Is It + How to Apply
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- New York students can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship to help cover tuition at public colleges.
- The award covers any gaps in tuition up to $5,500 per year after other financial aid is used.
- Scholarship recipients will need to stay in New York after they're done with school.
- The scholarship application for fall 2024 will open in spring, likely in May.
It's no secret that college costs a lot. The average cost to study in New York for in-state undergraduates comes out to almost $35,000 — and that's just for tuition!
The good news is that many New York residents can save on their college costs by getting their tuition 100% covered through financial aid programs and New York scholarships, like the Excelsior Scholarship.
In the 2021 academic year, the Excelsior Scholarship helped around 30,000 students study tuition-free at a school in the State University of New York (SUNY) or City University of New York (CUNY) systems.
What Is the New York Excelsior Scholarship Program?
The New York Excelsior Scholarship program helps cover tuition costs of up to $5,500 per year at public colleges and universities in New York State. The scholarship is only available to in-state students who have been a resident for at least a year.
The Excelsior Scholarship is a "last dollar" scholarship. These types of scholarships are intended to cover any gaps in tuition coverage after a student receives other forms of financial aid, such as Pell Grants and funds from the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
The only catch to this scholarship is that you need to stay in New York after you finish school for the same amount of time that you received the scholarship — if you used the award for four years, you'll need to live in the state for another four years once you've finished your program.
If you don't, the amount you were awarded transforms into an interest-free loan that you'll need to pay back.
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Who Qualifies for the Excelsior Scholarship?
If you are a New York resident who has finished high school and you are attending or applying to an undergraduate program at a public college in New York, you may qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship.
To qualify for the New York Excelsior Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have U.S. citizenship or meet certain requirements for non-citizens.
- Be a U.S. high school graduate or possess a GED certificate.
- Have New York residency for one year or more before beginning school.
- For those applying for a fall 2024 award, you must have earned $125,000 or less in 2022 (that's both you and your family combined).
- Apply to a SUNY or CUNY undergraduate program.
- Enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per term and earn 30 credits per year while receiving the award.
- Agree to live in New York for an equal amount of time as you plan to receive this scholarship.
How to Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship
You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for TAP first before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship.
- Submit the 2024 TAP application anytime between now and June 30, 2024.
- Complete the 2024 FAFSA once it opens in December. While this is also due June 30, make sure to complete it by February 15 if you've already filled out a TAP application or you'll need to redo your TAP app.
- Complete your Excelsior Scholarship application once it opens in spring 2024.
The Excelsior Scholarship can be used at almost 90 different colleges — 64 SUNY campuses and 25 CUNY campuses.
When to Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship in 2024
If you're hoping to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship to help cover your fall 2024 tuition, you can plan on applying sometime in spring 2024. In 2023, the application opened in late May and had a submission deadline of August 31.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the New York Excelsior Scholarship
Is the Excelsior Scholarship worth it?
Yes, the Excelsior Scholarship can be worth it if you are a New York resident who plans to stay in New York after you finish your program.
If you plan on moving out of state after school you might want to pass on this opportunity — the scholarship award converts to a loan if you leave the state before fulfilling the residency requirement.
How long does the Excelsior Scholarship take to process?
The Excelsior Scholarship will likely take 2-5 weeks to process.
How much does the Excelsior Scholarship cover?
The Excelsior Scholarship can cover tuition costs up to $5,500 per year. The scholarship amount will vary by student depending on their financial aid package since this scholarship is applied to tuition after other financial aid awards have been used.
Page last reviewed on November 15, 2023
