Planning to attend college in New York without breaking the bank? The Excelsior Scholarship might be your ticket to tuition-free education. This comprehensive guide covers everything from application requirements to deadlines, helping you navigate the process with ease.
What is the Excelsior Scholarship?
The Excelsior Scholarship is a game-changer for New York residents pursuing higher education. Launched in 2017, this program covers tuition costs for eligible students attending SUNY (State University of New York) or CUNY (City University of New York) schools. It’s designed to make college accessible to middle-class families who might otherwise struggle with tuition expenses.
The best part? When combined with other financial aid like TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), students can attend college virtually tuition-free. This opens doors for thousands of New Yorkers each year who dream of earning a degree without accumulating massive student debt.
Excelsior Scholarship Amount: What Does It Cover?
Let’s talk numbers. The Excelsior Scholarship amount varies depending on your situation, but here’s what you need to know:
| Coverage Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Maximum Award | Up to $5,500 per year |
| What It Covers | Tuition only (not room, board, or fees) |
| Duration | Up to 4 years for bachelor’s, 2 years for associate’s |
| Combined with TAP | Can cover full tuition when paired with other aid |
The scholarship fills the gap after other financial aid is applied. So if TAP covers $3,000 of your tuition and your total tuition is $6,470, Excelsior would cover the remaining amount up to the maximum.
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Excelsior Scholarship Requirements: Are You Eligible?
Before you get excited, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. The Excelsior Scholarship requirements are specific but straightforward.
Income Requirements
Your household’s adjusted gross income must be $125,000 or less. This includes your parents’ income if you’re a dependent student. The income limit applies to your federal adjusted gross income from your tax returns.
Academic Requirements
- Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester (full-time status)
- Complete 30 credits per year to stay on track
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Graduate within two years for associate degrees or four years for bachelor’s degrees
Residency and Citizenship
You must be a New York State resident for at least 12 months before the term begins and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Additional Criteria
- Be pursuing your first undergraduate degree
- Attend a SUNY or CUNY college
- Have no prior bachelor’s degree
Excelsior Scholarship CUNY: Options for City Students
CUNY students have excellent opportunities through Excelsior. All CUNY colleges participate in the program, including:
- Hunter College
- Baruch College
- Brooklyn College
- Queens College
- City College of New York
- John Jay College
- And all other CUNY senior and community colleges
The Excelsior Scholarship CUNY application process is identical to SUNY schools. CUNY students particularly benefit since tuition rates are already lower than many private institutions, and Excelsior can cover the full amount when combined with TAP.
Excelsior Scholarship Deadline: Don’t Miss These Dates
Timing is everything when it comes to scholarships. Missing the Excelsior Scholarship deadline could cost you thousands of dollars.
Important Dates to Remember
| Term | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | June 30th |
| Spring Semester | December 31st |
| Summer Term | Varies by institution |
The Excelsior Scholarship due date is firm, and late applications typically aren’t accepted. Mark your calendar well in advance to avoid disappointment.
When Does Excelsior Scholarship Open?
“When does Excelsior scholarship open?” is one of the most common questions students ask. The application typically opens in early spring for the upcoming academic year. Specifically:
- Applications usually open in March or April
- You can apply as soon as you’ve filed your FAFSA
- Early submission is recommended even though the deadline is months away
Is Excelsior Scholarship Open? Checking Application Status
Wondering “is Excelsior scholarship open” right now? Here’s how to check:
Visit the official Excelsior Scholarship website or the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website. The site clearly indicates whether applications are being accepted for the current cycle.
You can also check with your college’s financial aid office. They receive updates about the program and can confirm application availability.
Excelsior Scholarship Application: Step-by-Step Guide
The Excelsior Scholarship application process is straightforward if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Complete Your FAFSA
Before applying for Excelsior, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This determines your eligibility for federal and state aid, including TAP.
Step 2: Apply for TAP
Complete the TAP application through HESC. Excelsior works alongside TAP, so this is essential.
Step 3: Submit Your Excelsior Application
Go to the HESC website and complete the Excelsior Scholarship application. You’ll need:
- Your FAFSA information
- Social Security number
- Tax information
- College information
Step 4: Review and Submit
Double-check all information for accuracy. Errors can delay processing or disqualify your application.
Step 5: Accept Your Award
Once approved, you’ll receive notification through HESC. Follow the instructions to accept your scholarship.
After You Receive the Scholarship: Important Commitments
Receiving Excelsior comes with responsibilities. You must:
- Live and work in New York State after graduation for the same number of years you received the scholarship
- If you don’t fulfill this requirement, the scholarship converts to a loan you must repay
This commitment ensures the scholarship benefits New York’s economy by keeping educated graduates in the state.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many students miss out on Excelsior due to preventable errors:
- Missing the deadline: Set reminders months in advance
- Incomplete FAFSA: Complete your FAFSA first and accurately
- Not enrolling full-time: You must take 12+ credits per semester
- Ignoring academic requirements: Stay on track with 30 credits per year
- Forgetting about renewal: You must reapply each year
Maximizing Your Benefits
To get the most from Excelsior:
- Combine it with other scholarships for room and board costs
- Stay organized with academic requirements
- Plan your course schedule carefully to meet credit requirements
- Communicate with your financial aid office regularly
- Keep copies of all documentation
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Bottom Line:
The Excelsior Scholarship represents a genuine opportunity for New York families to access quality education affordably. By understanding the requirements, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling commitments, you can earn your degree without the burden of tuition costs.
Start your application early, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your college’s financial aid office with questions. Your future self will thank you for taking advantage of this incredible program.
Remember, education is an investment in yourself, and programs like Excelsior make that investment more accessible than ever. Good luck with your application!
Excelsior Scholarship – Tuition-Free College in New York
Learn more about the Excelsior Scholarship and check eligibility, application deadlines, and how to apply on the official Excelsior Scholarship website
FAQ’s:
Q1:Who is eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship in NY?
You have to be a resident of New York State (or qualify under the NY DREAM Act), with a household adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less, enrolled full-time at a SUNY or CUNY college, and complete at least 30 credits per academic year.
Q2:How much is Excelsior tuition?
Excelsior doesn’t set a fixed “tuition price.” Instead, it covers remaining tuition costs after other grants/aid (like federal aid or state grants) have been applied — up to the resident tuition rate at SUNY or CUNY.
Q3:What’s the hardest scholarship to get?
That’s subjective — there’s no universally agreed “hardest.” Some of the most competitive scholarships are highly selective national or merit-based programs, often requiring top grades, essays, extracurriculars, or special talents. Excelsior isn’t meant to be “prestige-based,” but for public-college tuition support, so harder scholarships would be elite scholarships from private or national programs.
Q4:What is the Max Excelsior Scholarship?
The maximum from Excelsior is enough to cover full in-state tuition at a SUNY or CUNY school (after other aid), up to about US $5,500 per year as a cap on the Excelsior award portion
Q5:Does Excelsior accept everyone?
No — you must meet several criteria (income cap ≤ $125,000, NY residency, full-time enrollment, credit-completion per year, studying at SUNY/CUNY, etc.). If you don’t meet all these, you’re not eligible
Q6:What is the monthly fee of Beaconhouse?
I’m sorry, but I don’t have up-to-date verified data on the monthly fee of Beaconhouse School System — fees vary by country, campus, grade level and change over time.
Q7:Can I get a 100% scholarship?
Possibly — but rarely. Some scholarships (merit- or need-based) provide full tuition or even living cost support. However, most scholarships (including Excelsior) cover only tuition (not room/board, books, or other expenses), so “100%” usually means full tuition only
Q8:What is the lowest GPA to get a scholarship?
It depends completely on the scholarship’s own criteria. Many need-based or state scholarships don’t set a strict GPA floor (just “good academic standing”), while elite merit-based scholarships often require very high GPA. There is no universal “lowest GPA.”
Q9:What is the maximum annual income for a scholarship (for Excelsior)?
For Excelsior, the household adjusted gross income (AGI) must be $125,000 or less to be eligible.
Q10:How do I apply for Excelsior?
You first complete the standard financial aid form FAFSA and the state aid form Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), then submit the Excelsior application (or DREAM Act application if eligible) on the official application site before the deadline.
Q11:Does Excelsior cover summer or winter term courses?
No — Excelsior only covers tuition for the regular fall and spring semesters. It does not cover tuition for winter or summer-term courses.
Q12:Does Excelsior cover non-tuition expenses (room, board, books)?
No — Excelsior only pays tuition. It does not cover other costs like room and board, books, fees or living expenses.
Q13:Do I have to stay/live in New York State after graduation if I accept Excelsior?
Yes — as a condition of receiving the scholarship you must commit to live and work in New York State for a number of years equal to how many years you received the award. If you move away sooner, part or all of the scholarship may convert to a no-interest loan.