Frequently Asked Questions

To be considered a NYS resident for purposes of receiving this award, you must have resided in the State for 12 continuous months prior to the term for which the award is being sought.

An Excelsior Scholarship recipient can receive up to $5,500 from the Excelsior Scholarship, minus any amounts received for TAP, Pell or other scholarships. The remainder of your tuition charge will be covered through a tuition credit paid through SUNY or CUNY. The scholarship is for the fall and spring semesters only, so if the student takes courses in winter or summer, they will NOT receive the scholarship (free tuition), but will still be charged the 2016-17 tuition rate.

Yes. Eligible students will receive awards to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition free this fall.

The Excelsior Scholarship application is now available on the HESC website. To apply please visit https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship.html

For the 2017-18 academic year, your federal household adjusted gross income can total up to $100,000 to be eligible. For 2018-19, that amount increases to $110,000, and beginning in 2019-20 and beyond, your family's adjusted gross income can total up to $125,000. There is no provision for household size or number in college.

Yes. Students who are currently attending college are eligible to receive an award, provided they are currently on track to complete their degree on time.

You are eligible to get an award for up to two years for students pursuing an associate's degree and up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Students in an undergraduate program of study normally requiring five years are eligible to receive the award for five years.

Award recipients need to earn a passing grade to maintain their Excelsior Scholarship awards, provided they earn a total of 30 credits over the course of a year.

Recipients should keep in mind that they may have other awards which also carry academic standards that differ from those required for the Excelsior Scholarship.

A student who transferred between colleges is eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship if they are on track to complete on time based on the number of credits accepted by their current college. We have been told that college credits earned in High School can count toward the combined 30 credits if they are accepted toward the incoming student's program of study.

You can lose the scholarship if you do not continue to meet all eligibility requirements. For example, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per term and complete (earn) 30 credits per year to continue to receive the scholarship.

Yes, provided the college that you are attending accepted all of the credits you earned in completing your associate's degree, and meet all other requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship.

Yes. You must live in New York State for the number of years equal to awards you received. For example, if you received four Excelsior Scholarship awards while getting your bachelor's degree, you must live in New York State for four years after college. In addition, if you are working during those years, you must work in New York State.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in the conversion of your award to a loan.