The Excelsior Scholarship is aimed at making tuition in the public colleges free to the eligible residents of the United States. Through the program, qualified students have the chance of studying in State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) institutions without any tuition fees.
The Excelsior Scholarship was the first program of its kind in the U.S. to provide tuition-free college to middle-income households.
It is funded by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), ensuring that no one stands in the way of deserving students fulfilling their academic ambitions because of their lack of financial means.
Read further to discover everything regarding eligibility, benefits, the application procedure, and the application process.
2025 Excelsior Scholarship Abstract/Summary
Host: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Location: United States
Degree Scholarships: Undergraduates
Benefits: Funded tuition | stipends
Eligible Countries: United States (New York State residents only)
Application Status: Annual Program
Application Deadline: Typically late spring (check HESC website for updates)
The Excelsior Scholarship Programs – Overview
The Excelsior Scholarship is a New York State-funded financial aid initiative that provides coverage of tuition fees to deserving students at SUNY or CUNY colleges. It is not a need-based scholarship, but a last-dollar scholarship.
The award was initiated in 2017 to make college affordable to all New York families. The concept is quite easy to grasp: students do not need to decide which one, between crushing debt and a college degree, is better.
With this program, qualified students can pay no tuition provided they comply with some academic and residency requirements. This involves a full-time course load and a required time staying and working in New York State after graduation.
Since its introduction, thousands of New Yorkers have needed the Excelsior to receive a tuition-free college education and emerge into the job market at a lower debt and with more economic freedom.
Note: The Excelsior Scholarship does not cover additional college costs such as fees, housing, meal plans, or books. Students are responsible for these expenses.
Why You Should Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship? – Benefits
Tuition-Free Education: The Excelsior Scholarship eliminates tuition expenses for eligible New York residents. It is among the major education affordability programs in the United States.
Admission to Quality Public Colleges:
Recipients can access any of the 64 SUNY or 25 CUNY campuses, including highly ranked institutions such as Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, Baruch College, and the City College of New York.
Debt-Free Graduation:
With the decreased or erased cost of tuition, students will be able to graduate with little to no debt, which means that they no longer have to stress about making a living, pursuing graduate school, or becoming an entrepreneur due to the economic burden.
Encourages Commitment to New York:
The recipients commit to reside and work in the state of New York following graduation the number of years in which they received the scholarship. This will keep skilled employees and boost the local communities and the economy.
Renewable Support:
Students are free to continue with the scholarship provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements and as long as their degree program continues.
Middle-Class Inclusion:
The income cap, which is currently up to $125 000 per family, serves to assure that not only low-income but also middle-income families will receive tuition relief.
Excelsior Scholarship 2025 – Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
be a resident of New York State and have lived there for 12 consecutive months before the start of the term;
have completed high school in the United States, obtained a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved “Ability to Benefit” test, as determined by the State Education Department Commissioner;
have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less;
be enrolled in a SUNY or CUNY college to pursue an undergraduate degree, including statutory colleges at Alfred University and Cornell University;
obtain a minimum of 30 credits annually that can be applied to your degree program and be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term;
Prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship, you must have completed at least 30 credits per year (continuously enrolled) toward your degree program if you attended college before the academic year for which the award is sought;
be in non-default status on student loans made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
comply with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a previous NYS award;
execute a contract committing you to reside in NYS for the duration of the award was received, and, if you were employed during that time, be employed in NYS.
How To Apply For The Excelsior Scholarship Award
Applying for the Excelsior Scholarship is straightforward, but timing and documentation are key. Follow these steps to ensure a successful application:
The first step would be to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year. This will make or break your eligibility for federal funding.
When you have filled out your FAFSA, you will be instructed to fill in the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application.
Once the Excelsior period opens, apply through the HESC site. You will be required to open a HESC account in case you do not have one.
You can be requested to furnish more papers, like:
Proof of New York State residency
Federal and state tax returns
Transcripts or enrollment verification
After HESC has gone through your application, you will be notified via email whether you have been awarded or not. Those who are successful will be credited the tuition credit directly on the student account of their college.
Excelsior scholarship2025: Required Documents
To complete your application, ensure you have the following:
Application for Admission
Application Fee receipt
Letter of recommendation
Cover letter or Resume
Language Proficiency Tests for English (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE)
Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA)
Documents supporting proof of the family’s income and assets
Additional documents as requested by HESC
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Excelsior Scholarship a loan or a grant?
It’s a scholarship, not a loan. However, if you fail to meet post-graduation residency requirements, it converts into a no-interest loan.
Does Excelsior cover private colleges?
No. It only applies to public institutions under SUNY and CUNY.
Can I receive Excelsior if I already have other scholarships?
Yes. Excelsior acts as a last-dollar award, covering any remaining tuition after other aid is applied.
What if I take fewer than 30 credits a year?
You may lose eligibility unless you have an approved waiver (e.g., medical or personal hardship).
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes, recipients must reapply annually and continue to meet income, residency, and academic progress standards.
Can I work outside New York after graduation?
Only after you’ve fulfilled the required residency/work obligation equal to your years of funding.