Excelsior Scholarship

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

The Excelsior application is available from 05/23/2024 to 08/31/2024 for students looking to receive a first-time award for the Fall 2024 term. If you still have a pending application from the Spring 2024 term, please contact HESC or the Financial Aid Office to determine the cause.

Applicants who first enrolled in college prior to 2018 (prior to 2017 if in an approved 5-year program or in an opportunity program) are not eligible for an Excelsior scholarship and should not submit an application.

Please note: if you are already a recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship from a previous application period, you do not need to complete this application. You are a recipient if you signed and submitted the Excelsior Scholarship contract, even if you did not receive payment in the prior year.

Full list of eligibility requirements

The Excelsior Scholarship will be applied to each qualifying student’s financial aid package after all other aid, including TAP, Pell, City Council Scholarship, college scholarships, and other grants or scholarships are applied.

Please visit the Excelsior Scholarship Program website to apply.

Application Deadline: TBA

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