Excelsior Scholarship Applications Open for 2025
The Excelsior Scholarship, a groundbreaking program offering free college tuition to eligible New York State residents, is now accepting applications for the 2025 academic year. Administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), the scholarship enables students to attend SUNY or CUNY schools without tuition costs.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Residency and Citizenship
Must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
Must be legal residents of New York State for at least 12 continuous months before the start of the term.
Education
Must hold a U.S. high school diploma, GED, or pass a federally approved Ability to Benefit test.
Enrollment
Must enroll full-time at a SUNY or CUNY institution, including community colleges and statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University.
Must complete at least 30 credits annually and maintain continuous enrollment.
Income
The combined household income must not exceed $125,000.
Application Process
Applications for the Spring 2025 term are open until February 3, 2025. Applicants must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submit the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application.
Submit the Excelsior Scholarship application through the HESC website.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Excelsior Scholarship is a "last-dollar" award, meaning it covers remaining tuition costs after federal and state grants, such as Pell and TAP, are applied. It provides:
Up to two years of tuition for associate degree programs.
Up to four years for bachelor’s degree programs.
Up to five years for specific approved five-year programs.
Post-Graduation Obligations
Recipients are required to live and work in New York State for the same number of years they received the scholarship. Failure to meet this obligation will result in the scholarship converting to a loan that must be repaid.
For more information or to apply, visit the HESC website.
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