New York State Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows eligible students to attend a CUNY institution tuition-free.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, applicants must meet eligibility requirements, including but not limited to:

• Have an adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less

• Be entering college for the first time (first-term student)

• Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college full-time

• Agree to live in New York State and not be employed out of state for a duration equal to the number of years the scholarship was received

Application Requirements

Students eligible for federal aid must:

• Complete the FAFSA

• Complete the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application

The TAP application can be accessed through the New York State Aid link at the end of the FAFSA. Students who already submitted their FAFSA and missed the link may apply through the New York State Student Aid Payment Application page.

Eligible students may also apply through the New York State DREAM Act, if applicable.

Ineligible Applicants

Applicants who first enrolled in college prior to 2018 (prior to 2017 if enrolled in an approved five-year program or opportunity program) are not eligible and should not submit an application.

If you are already an Excelsior Scholarship recipient from a previous application period, you do not need to reapply. You are considered a recipient if you signed and submitted the Excelsior Scholarship contract, even if you did not receive payment in the prior year.

Award Details

The Excelsior Scholarship is applied to a student’s financial aid package after all other aid has been applied, including:

• TAP

• Pell Grant

• City Council Scholarship

• College scholarships

• Other grants or scholarships

Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 or email excelsior@hesc.ny.gov if you have any questions.