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🇺🇸 Study in New York for Free: The Excelsior Scholarship Program 2025

The Excelsior Scholarship Program is an extraordinary initiative designed to make higher education more accessible for New York students. Applications for this program will open in December 2024 for the Spring 2025 academic term.

Eligible students from families earning $125,000 or less can attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. Below are the key details you need to know about the benefits, eligibility requirements, application process, and deadlines.

Table of Contents

Benefits of the Excelsior Scholarship 2025

Full Tuition Coverage

The Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition costs at state-operated SUNY or CUNY colleges. This applies after federal and New York State (NYS) grants are accounted for, ensuring students receive maximum financial support.

Last Dollar Scholarship

This program bridges any remaining tuition gaps after utilizing other financial aid sources, such as PELL or TAP grants.

Extended Duration of Coverage

Eligible students can receive financial support for:

  • Up to 2 years for associate degree programs.
  • Up to 4 years for bachelor’s degree programs.
  • Up to 5 years for approved five-year programs.

Recommended: $108,000 in Funding: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) 2025–26

Flexibility for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities can attend less than full-time or temporarily pause their studies due to medical reasons while maintaining eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

Income and Residency Criteria

  • Combined household income must not exceed $125,000.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, or qualify under the NYS DREAM Act.
  • Residency: Students must have been New York State residents for at least 12 consecutive months before applying.

Academic Requirements

  • Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY institution.
  • Enroll full-time with at least 12 credits per term and complete 30 credits per academic year toward the degree.
  • Continuous enrollment is required unless a documented exception applies (e.g., medical leave or parental leave).

Special Considerations

  • Students with disabilities may qualify for part-time enrollment options.
  • Undocumented and immigrant students must secure eligibility through the NYS DREAM Act application.

Application Process for the Excelsior Scholarship

Step 1: Submit FAFSA and TAP Applications

Step 2: Excelsior Scholarship Application

Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents

  • Include income verification, academic transcripts, and proof of New York residency as part of your application.

Deadline for Application Submission

The application period begins in December 2024. Deadlines will vary depending on your chosen institution, so be sure to confirm specific timelines with your college of preference.

Post-Graduation Commitment

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship are required to:

  • Live and work in New York State for the same number of years they received the scholarship.
  • If this condition is not met, the scholarship converts into a no-interest loan.

Seize this opportunity to achieve your academic goals with the Excelsior Scholarship Program. For more details, visit the official HESC Excelsior Scholarship page.

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2 comments

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Ansu Dominic Coomber

I was so excited when I hard about the scholarship to study in the U.S , I’m a student from sierra Leone west Africa and I wanted to pursue studies on biomedical engineering as a carrier. I will be very happy if you guys give me such privilege to pursue my studies in the
U.S 🙏🙏
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Andrew Conteh

Good and quality education
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