Why am I ineligible for Excelsior Scholarship?

You might be ineligible for the NY Excelsior Scholarship due to income exceeding the $125,000 limit, failing to meet the strict 30 credits per year requirement (including summer/winter), not being a NY resident for 12+ months, being in default on student loans, lacking U.S. citizenship/eligible status, not applying for FAFSA/TAP, or failing to commit to living/working in NY post-graduation, which are all key criteria for this "last-dollar" tuition program.

Why did I not get the Excelsior Scholarship?

``You are ineligible to receive an Excelsior Scholarship because you have not completed enough credits each year to be on track to receive your Associate's degree in two years or a Bachelor's degree in four years.

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 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. 

Why am I ineligible for financial aid?

You might not be eligible for financial aid due to not filing the FAFSA, not meeting basic requirements (like citizenship or high school diploma), having a low GPA or failing to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, being in loan default, or enrolling in an ineligible program, with eligibility depending on your financial need, enrollment status, and adherence to academic standards. 

The 2025 NYS Excelsior Scholarship - What to Know!

Why is my FAFSA saying I'm ineligible?

For instance, you might no longer meet one of the basic eligibility criteria, or you might have changed majors and no longer be enrolled in a program that makes you eligible to receive a specific type of funding (for instance, a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education [TEACH] Grant).

What does ineligible status mean?

In legal terms, "ineligible" describes a person who is legally disqualified from holding a specific office or position. This means they do not meet the legal requirements or possess certain qualifications necessary to serve, making them unable to lawfully assume or continue in that role.

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.

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. 

What GPA is needed for 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 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.

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.

What is the income limit for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship?

Income & Financial Requirements

Your household combined federal adjusted gross income must be $125,000 or less.

How long does it take to hear back from the Excelsior Scholarship?

If there are no issues with the FAFSA it shouldn't take the school long to determine awards. For Excelsior that is not determined by the FAFSA, that is from the TAP application and can take at least a week for NYS to send that information to schools.

Do colleges care if your parents are divorced?

For instance, some colleges will consider the assets and income of the parent who has custody of the college-bound child but not that of the non-custodial parent. Meanwhile, other colleges consider both parents' assets and incomes.

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, 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 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.

Why did I lose my 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.

Did Excelsior lose accreditation?

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

What is the #1 liberal arts college?

While rankings vary, Williams College is consistently ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report (for many years) and often appears at the top in other lists like CollegeVine for top liberal arts colleges, with strong showings also from Amherst College, Swarthmore College, and Pomona College, focusing on rigorous undergraduate education in humanities, sciences, and arts.
 

Why does my FAFSA say I'm ineligible?

Answer: Being financial aid ineligible means you have NOT met one or more of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements determined by the federal government (See our article here for more information). This is different from Merit Scholarship Suspension. Learn how to appeal your financial aid ineligibility.

What are common reasons for ineligibility?

An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.

What makes someone ineligible for 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.