How much does Excelsior Scholarship cover reddit?

Based on Reddit discussions and official program details, the New York State Excelsior Scholarship is a "last-dollar" program that covers the cost of tuition only for eligible students at SUNY and CUNY colleges. It does not cover room and board, books, transportation, or student fees.

How much does Excelsior give you?

EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CALCULATION The Excelsior Scholarship is a last dollar tuition award. The maximum Excelsior Scholarship award is $5,500. The Excelsior Scholarship tuition credit, calculated by HESC after certification, covers any remaining liability up to actual tuition.

What two costs does the Excelsior Scholarship not cover?

The maximum annual Excelsior Scholarship is $5,500, however a tuition credit will be awarded to cover any gap between the maximum Excelsior Scholarship and the cost of annual tuition. Award cannot be applied to non-tuition costs, such as room and board. Excelsior is a “last dollar” award.

How likely is it to get the Excelsior Scholarship?

Yes, it can be hard to get the Excelsior Scholarship because while the initial application seems easy, strict ongoing requirements like completing 30 credits per year, maintaining continuous enrollment, and a post-graduation NYS residency/employment clause make it difficult to keep, with many eligible students missing out due to complexity and low awareness, not just finances. 

What are the cons of the Excelsior Scholarship?

Sadly, this award cannot be used for anything other than tuition, so there is no overage amount that can be used to go towards textbooks, rent, or other expenses. That means it is possible to not receive the Excelsior Scholarship if you have enough other forms of aid to cover the costs of your tuition.

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Is $70,000 too much for FAFSA?

No, $70k isn't inherently "too much" for the FAFSA; there's no strict cutoff, and you should always file, as factors like family size, number of kids in college, and the college's cost heavily influence aid, meaning even higher incomes might get grants or loans, but aid decreases as income rises. Even with $70k income, you could qualify for federal grants, state aid, and loans, especially at more expensive schools, so using the FAFSA Estimator on the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov) or Saving For College's calculator https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/ is a great way to see what you might get. 

Did Excelsior lose accreditation?

The Commission's most recent action on the institution's accreditation status on June 23, 2022 was to reaffirm accreditation.

Do parents who make $120000 still qualify for FAFSA?

Yes, parents making $120,000 can still qualify for some federal student aid through the FAFSA, as there's no strict income cut-off, but eligibility for need-based grants like the Pell Grant decreases with higher income, though they might still get federal loans or access to merit-based aid/work-study. Eligibility depends on the Student Aid Index (SAI), considering family size, assets, and the college's Cost of Attendance (COA), so always fill out the FAFSA to see what your specific situation qualifies for. 

What is the hardest scholarship to get into?

The hardest scholarships to get are generally prestigious, globally recognized awards like the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, known for its incredibly low acceptance rate (around 2%) and focus on future world-changers, or the Rhodes Scholarship, also brutally competitive for study at Oxford. Other extremely difficult ones include the Gates Scholarship (U.S.), Churchill Scholarship, and Marshall Scholarship, all requiring exceptional academic, leadership, and personal qualities for very few spots, often with a global applicant pool. 

Do I have to pay back an Excelsior Scholarship?

Yes, you have to pay back the Excelsior Scholarship if you don't meet its requirements, primarily the post-graduation residency rule (living and working in NY for the same number of years as you received it) or if you fail to complete the required credits each year, converting it into an interest-free loan administered by HESC, with repayment over 10 years. 

What GPA will get you a full ride scholarship?

To get a full-ride scholarship, you generally need an exceptional GPA, often 3.8 or higher, but it varies, with some requiring a perfect 4.0, alongside strong test scores, rigorous coursework (AP/IB), leadership, community involvement, and sometimes financial need, as colleges look for well-rounded students, not just high grades, to secure these highly competitive awards. 

Can I use scholarship money to pay for housing?

Room and board: Scholarship money generally covers on-campus housing and meal plans throughout the year. Textbooks: According to College Board®, books and supplies at a four-year college averaged $1,240 in 2022. Some scholarships (from publishers) are specifically given out to cover book costs.

What is the income limit for free tuition in NY?

If you are a NYS resident whose family household adjusted gross income does not exceed $125,000 and you complete 30 credits per year, you will be able to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition free.

Why didn't I get the Excelsior Scholarship?

If you are no longer on track to complete an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years, you will be ineligible for the award. You may retain eligibility if you remain on track and earn at least 30 credits in your program of study within the academic year.

Can you get a full-ride to a SUNY?

The Excelsior Scholarship provides tuition awards to eligible students attending New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY). This scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY college tuition-free.

Do scholarships pay for all four years?

There is a huge difference between a four-year scholarship and a full-ride scholarship, namely, four-year scholarships do not inherently promise to pay a student's entire way through school.

Is a $5000 scholarship good?

A $5,000 scholarship can make a big difference in covering expenses like tuition, textbooks, housing, and more. It's a great way to ease the financial burden and focus more on your education.

What's the easiest scholarship to get?

The $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is an easy scholarship with no essay required! The scholarship can be used to cover tuition, housing, books, or any education-related expenses. All high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year are eligible.

What is the most generous scholarship?

There isn't one single scholarship that gives the most money, as top awards like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship (up to $55k/yr for 4 years) and programs like QuestBridge National College Match offer full-ride potential for top students, covering full costs of attendance for a combined value potentially over $300k, while the Gates Scholarship also aims to cover full costs for underrepresented students. Other major ones include the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship (up to $80k) and the Buick Achievers Scholarship (up to $100k), though amounts vary by specific award and year, with full-rides often being the most valuable overall. 

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?

The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, but other major errors include name/SSN mismatches (using nicknames or incorrect info), confusing "you" (student) with "parent," incorrect tax info, and missing parent signatures or FSA IDs, all leading to delays or aid denial. Forgetting to file at all, or filing too late, also costs students aid, as does incorrectly reporting marital/parental info.
 

At what income level is FAFSA pointless?

There is no income cap for FAFSA. Even high-income students should apply to access federal loans and some merit aid. Aid eligibility is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI) and cost of attendance, not just income alone.

What are the disadvantages of the Excelsior Scholarship?

Students must maintain a pace of 30 credit hours per year and remain on track for an on-time graduation or else permanently lose access to the program. The program does not pay for study in the summer or winter intersessions, thereby forcing the burden of credit accumulation on the fall and spring semesters.

Is Excelsior a degree mill?

Excelsior University, a regionally accredited not-for-profit institution, helps adult learners like you receive credit for what you already know so you can earn your degree sooner.

Is the Excelsior Scholarship guaranteed?

Yes, provided the college that you are attending accepted all of the credits you earned while completing your Associate's degree and you meet all other requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship.