# Excelsior Scholarship

> Amount varies from New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). Application closed for 2026-27; HESC announces each new application window.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/new-york-excelsior-scholarship
- Provider: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) (State)
- Award: Amount varies (Remaining tuition at SUNY or CUNY after other grants (last-dollar)), renewable
- Deadline: Application closed for 2026-27; HESC announces each new application window
- State list: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/ny
- Official page: https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program
- Last verified by CollegesRef: Nov 6, 2026

## About this scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship lets students from families with a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college without paying tuition. It is a last-dollar award: Pell, TAP and other grants or scholarships not reserved for non-tuition costs are applied first, and Excelsior covers the tuition that remains; it is a tuition award only. Recipients must enroll full time and complete at least 30 credits a year toward their program. Awards last up to two years for an associate degree, four years for a bachelor's degree and five years for approved five-year programs. After the award ends, recipients must live in New York for as many years as they received the scholarship and, if employed, work in the state. Students must file the FAFSA and TAP application, or the DREAM Act application, every year. HESC's page shows the 2026-27 application as closed, so new applicants should watch for the next application period.

## Who can apply

- Residents of: NY
- Education level: Undergraduate
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, Eligible noncitizen, DACA or state Dream Act student
- Household federal AGI of $125,000 or less. Full-time study with at least 30 credits per year at a SUNY or CUNY college. Must live (and if employed, work) in New York for as many years as the award was received.

## How to apply

When HESC opens the application, complete the FAFSA, the TAP application (or NYS DREAM Act application) and the Excelsior application. All must be renewed each year.

## Related scholarships

- [Presidential Scholarships](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/presidential-scholarships): Amount varies
- [New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/new-york-tuition-assistance-program): $1,000 to $5,665
- [SUNY Excelsior Scholarships](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/suny-excelsior-scholarships): Amount varies
- [NYS STEM Incentive Program](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/nys-stem-incentive-program): Amount varies

## Explore New York

- [Colleges in New York](https://www.collegesref.com/state/new-york)

Always confirm amounts, rules and deadlines on the official page before applying.