Who is eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship in NY?

To be eligible for New York's Excelsior Scholarship, you must be a NY resident for 12+ months, a U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen, have a family income of $125,000 or less, attend a SUNY or CUNY college full-time, pursue an undergraduate degree, complete 30 credits/year, and agree to live and work in NY after graduation. This "last dollar" scholarship covers tuition after other aid, but not fees, books, or housing.

Who is eligible for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship?

To qualify for New York's Excelsior Scholarship, you must be a NYS resident with a family income of $125,000 or less, a US citizen/eligible non-citizen, enrolled full-time at a SUNY or CUNY school, and agree to live and work in NYS after graduation for the time you received the scholarship, while completing 30 credits annually and maintaining good academic standing.
 

How likely is it to get the Excelsior Scholarship?

Yes, it can be surprisingly difficult to get and keep the Excelsior Scholarship due to complex requirements, like completing 30 credits annually and agreeing to a post-graduation NYS residency/employment commitment, plus a confusing application process that makes it hard for many eligible students to receive it, even with income under $125k. While applying is simple (FAFSA, TAP, Excelsior app), maintaining eligibility and understanding the "fine print" is where many stumble. 

Does everyone get Excelsior funding who applies in NYC?

You may be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, if you are an undergraduate who is a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and reside in New York State for one year prior to enrollment and whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed $125,000 (in the tax year 2022) and you complete thirty (30) credits per year ...

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.

A closer look at the NYS Excelsior Scholarship Program and who qualifies

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.

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. 

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). 

Why did I not get the Excelsior Scholarship?

You must be in good standing (a non-default status) on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award. You must be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received.

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. 

Who qualifies for free college in NY?

New York offers tuition-free college at SUNY/CUNY through programs like the Excelsior Scholarship (for middle-income students, $125k AGI, 30 credits/yr at 2/4-yr schools) and the Opportunity Promise (for adults 25-55, no degree, high-demand fields, 12 credits/yr), both requiring NY residency, FAFSA/TAP applications, and attending SUNY/CUNY, with Excelsior adding residency/work requirements post-graduation. 

What GPA is needed for the Excelsior Scholarship?

Here's what you need: Must be a high school senior with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Must plan to attend a four-year accredited college or university and pursue STEM programs.

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. 

Is Excelsior part of FAFSA?

Applying for Aid

The Excelsior University federal code used for this application is 014251. Submit your FAFSA along with your request for course approvals to your academic advisor. This allows you to work with your Excelsior University financial aid advisor to determine the best options for you.

Is CUNY free for NY residents?

Under this groundbreaking program, more than 940,000 middle-class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year will qualify to attend college tuition-free at all CUNY and SUNY two- and four-year colleges in New York State.

How to get a free ride to college?

Full-ride academic scholarship: Be at the top of your class with a great GPA, take AP/honors classes, and get perfect (or close to perfect) SAT or ACT scores. Along with academic merit, it also helps to also have leadership skills or community involvement (see below).

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.

What is the income limit for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship?

If you meet all Excelsior eligibility requirements, including being a NYS resident whose family household federal adjusted gross income (as filed on your New York State Income Tax Returns) does not exceed $125,000 and you complete 30 credits per year in your program of study, you will be able to attend a SUNY or CUNY ...

How many people get the Excelsior Scholarship?

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a 20 percent increase in Excelsior Scholarships in year two of the first-in-the-nation program. Approximately 24,000 SUNY and CUNY students are estimated to receive the Excelsior Scholarship at the completion of year two, up from 20,000 scholarships in year one.

What income is too high for FAFSA?

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. For the 2025-26 FAFSA, dependent students can earn up to $11,510 before it affects aid eligibility.

What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?

The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, often due to confusion, which can delay or reject applications; instead, enter '0' or 'N/A'. Other major errors include incorrect personal info (Name/SSN mismatch), mixing up student/parent answers, misreporting income/asset data (using wrong tax year), and missing early deadlines for limited funds.
 

At what age does financial aid stop using parents' income?

FAFSA stops using parents' income when a student becomes an independent student, which primarily happens at age 24 by December 31 of the award year, or if they meet specific criteria like being married, serving in the military, having dependents, being a veteran, or being an orphan/ward of the court. If you don't meet these rules, you must provide parental financial information, but you can appeal for a dependency override with your college's financial aid office for special circumstances. 

What disqualifies you from FAFSA?

You can be disqualified from FAFSA for not being a U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen, lacking a high school diploma/GED, failing Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), being in default on past student loans, owing a grant refund, not registering for Selective Service (if male, 18-25), or committing fraud; while there's no strict income limit, high income can reduce aid, and issues like drug convictions or certain fraud convictions also block eligibility. 

Can kids with rich parents get student loans?

Do Parents' Assets Affect Financial Aid? Both parent and student-owned assets can have an impact on financial aid eligibility. However, generally-speaking, parent assets have a more limited impact because parents are expected to contribute a smaller proportion of their wealth to pay for their child's college education.

How much savings is too much for FAFSA?

In fact, the EFC formula used by every college and university only takes into account, at most, 5.6% of parent total assets, which include all college savings accounts. This means, for example, if you saved $10,000 for college, the formula would only include no more than $560 of that in your EFC.