New York Excelsior Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by New York State
Value: $5,500
Awards Available: 1000
Students from families earning $125,000 or less can attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.
- Attend SUNY or CUNY tuition free!
- Adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college or university
- Enrolled in full-time study (at least 12 credits per term)
- Complete at least 30 credits per year
- Live and work in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years you received the scholarship
AWARD
Covers tuition expenses at a SUNY or CUNY college
- Allows students to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.
- Is a “last dollar” scholarship. 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.
Citizenship & NYS Residency Requirements
To receive the Scholarship, you must meet the following residency requirements:
- You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. AND
- You are a legal resident of New York State and have resided in New York State for 12 continuous months.
Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application.
Academic Requirements
High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit
- Graduated from a High School in the U.S.; earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED) or passed a federally approved Ability to Benefit test.
College & Program
Once in college, you must meet the following requirements:
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University.
- Enrolled full-time in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward your degree program. If you attended college prior to the 2024-25 academic year, you must have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward your degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship.
- Continuously enrolled without any pauses in enrollment.
Opportunity Programs
If you are in an opportunity program, the Excelsior Scholarship allows five years to complete your bachelor’s degree and requires completion of 24 credits each academic year.
Go to Scholarship Application
Easy Scholarship Applications
Be Bold Scholarship
- $25,000
The "Be Bold" Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will...
View Details
Niche $50,000 Scholarship
- $50,000Covering the cost of college expenses for four years without...
View Details
ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship
- $1,000ScholarshipOwl is your source of relief from the dreaded application...
View Details
College Mix Christian College Scholarship
- $3,500The Christian Connector offers various scholarship drawings for Christian colleges....
View Details
Scholarships360 "No Essay" Scholarship
- $10,000The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all...
View Details
No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
- $2,000The $2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie is only open...
View Details
The Future is Now Scholarship
- $1,001The Lenny Scholarship offers $1,001 US to support young individuals...
View Details
Appily Easy Money Scholarship
- $1,000The Appily scholarship application is fast and easy.Scholarship Eligibility: This scholarship...
View Details
10 Words or Less Scholarship
- $1,000Scholarship Eligibility:A) Anyone who is between the ages of 14-25...
View Details
Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship
- $10,000The universe is extraordinarily complex, but it is also understandable....
View Details