Excelsior Scholarship Program

The Excelsior Scholarship Program enables students from families earning $125,000 or less to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. This is a "last dollar" scholarship, meaning any federal or NYS grants or scholarships, including PELL and TAP, are applied to tuition first, and the Excelsior Scholarship covers any remaining tuition expenses. The program provides 2 years of support for students pursuing an associate degree full-time, 4 years for those pursuing a bachelor's degree full-time, and 5 years for approved five-year degree programs. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term in their program of study and complete 30 credits per year to receive payment and continue eligibility. Recipients must agree to reside in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship, and if employed during such time, be employed in New York State. If recipients move out of New York State before completing the residency requirement, all or part of the award will be converted to a no-interest loan.