Excelsior Scholarship

NYS Excelsior Requirements

• Be a resident of New York State.

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

• Complete at least 30 credits each year (consecutively), applicable toward your degree program.

• To complete the application, you will need your IT-201 New York State Income Tax Return(s) for:

  • 2023 NYS tax information for the 2025–2026 academic year

• File both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application.

OVERVIEW

The Excelsior Scholarship is a tuition-free program for eligible New York State residents pursuing their first undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college.

• The Excelsior Scholarship application opens in the spring for the upcoming academic year.

• New York State residents can apply for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship via HESC.

• If you graduated from a high school outside the United States, you must meet the "Ability to Benefit" (ATB) requirement by the 21st day of the semester. For more information, contact the Evaluation and Testing Office located at Wille Administration Building, Room A-213. Phone: (212) 650-6488.

• Students must file both a FAFSA and a TAP application before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship.

• Applicants must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits per year (consecutively) that are applicable toward their degree program.

• Recipients may receive up to $5,500 ($2,750 per semester) or the actual cost of tuition for the aid year, whichever is less.

• The maximum Excelsior Scholarship amount will be reduced by other financial aid awards received for the academic year, including other New York State aid and/or federal grants.

• Recipients must live in New York State for the same number of years they received the award. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the conversion of the award to a no-interest loan.

• For additional information, contact HESC or visit their website: www.hesc.ny.gov.

Read eligibility requirements at Excelsior Scholarship FAQs – CUNY.

HOW TO APPLY

Note: Students who are current Excelsior Scholarship recipients do not need to complete the 2025–2026 application.

To complete the 2025–2026 application, you will need to:

• Complete the 2025–2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the 2025–2026 Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application.

• Apply for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship via HESC at: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program/, if you are a New York State resident.

• Provide copies of the 2023 New York State income tax return(s) filed by you and your parent(s).

• Upload all of your college transcripts and your 2025–2026 Student Aid Report (SAR).

• If you are a transfer student with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), upload an official college transcript.

Please ensure that you upload all required documents after submitting your NYS Excelsior application through your HESC Account Access page.

Read eligibility requirements at Excelsior Scholarship FAQs – CUNY.

If you have additional questions, contact the Scholarship Unit at scholarships@hesc.ny.gov or call 1 (888) 697-4372.

Excelsior Scholarship Appeal Process 2024–2025

(Open now through December 1st, 2025)

The New York State Excelsior Scholarship requires continuous enrollment, along with other eligibility criteria, to remain in good standing. If you have been deemed ineligible, you may request a reevaluation if you:

• Failed to complete an average of at least 30 combined credits per year applicable to your degree program,

• Failed to have sufficient credits accepted by your transfer college, or

• Failed to maintain continuous enrollment.

Your extenuating circumstances must meet one of the approved conditions listed by HESC and must be supported by appropriate documentation.

Eligible Extenuating Circumstances

Per New York State law, students who completed fewer credits than required and/or had a break in attendance may still be eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship if the interruption was due to one of the following:

A. The death or illness of a family member
B. Documented medical leave
C. Active military service
D. Parental leave
E. A disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended)
F. A one-term break in attendance when transferring from a college with a non-standard academic calendar (e.g., LaGuardia Community College, Kingsborough Community College, and/or Guttman Community College)

If you meet one of the conditions listed above, please contact the CCNY Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. Our staff will post an “Excelsior Appeal” checklist to your CUNYfirst “To Do List” for the 2024–2025 academic year.

The deadline to submit a 2024–2025 Excelsior Scholarship Appeal is December 1st, 2025.

Note: Even if you choose to begin the appeal process, approval is not guaranteed. In the meantime, you are responsible for any outstanding balances not currently covered by the Excelsior Scholarship or any other form of financial aid.

• Excelsior Scholarship Fact about program
• HESC Account Access