Excelsior Scholarship: Eligibility For International Students

The Excelsior Scholarship is a tuition award for students attending New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY). The scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree, and covers any remaining tuition expenses after other financial aid awards have been applied. To be eligible, students must meet certain credit and income requirements, and reside in New York State for a specified duration. International students applying to Excelsior University must demonstrate English proficiency and have their transcripts evaluated by an approved agency.

International students must prove English proficiency

International students applying to Excelsior University must prove their English proficiency. This is a mandatory requirement for admission to the university. Applicants who cannot demonstrate proficiency in the English language will be denied admission. They will, however, be advised to improve their English language skills and encouraged to reapply when they can demonstrate a good command of the language.

Excelsior University accepts various tests as proof of English proficiency. International students must submit their test scores directly to the university's Office of the Registrar. These scores are only valid for two years from the date of the application. Scores older than two years will not be accepted.

The English proficiency requirement can be exempted if the student provides proof of US citizenship or permanent residence. Valid documents for this purpose include a US passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization.

International students applying to Excelsior University's graduate programs should have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) to determine bachelor's degree equivalence of three-year degrees and other foreign credentials. Meanwhile, international students applying to non-nursing undergraduate programs must have their credits evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) and documented on their Subject Analysis Report.

International students can get credits for degree-level coursework

International students applying to Excelsior University must also demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. Those who cannot do so will be denied admission and advised to improve their English language skills before reapplying.

Excelsior University offers scholarships to students from families earning $125,000 or less per year to attend a state-operated college tuition-free. This scholarship is known as the Excelsior Scholarship and is a "last dollar" scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining tuition expenses after other scholarships and grants have been applied. To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must complete 30 credits per year and reside in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship.

International students can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship

Excelsior University awards credit for degree-level coursework completed at a foreign university, provided it is officially recognized as a degree-granting institution by the regulating agency in the student's home country. International students applying to graduate programs should have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) to determine bachelor's degree equivalence.

In addition to these international student requirements, all applicants for the Excelsior Scholarship must meet certain eligibility criteria. The scholarship is available to students from families earning $125,000 or less per year, enabling them to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. Applicants must also be New York State residents and have resided in the state for at least 12 continuous months before the start of their program.

To maintain eligibility for the scholarship, students must complete 30 credits per year and be in good academic standing. The scholarship covers tuition expenses only, and students are responsible for college fees, room and board, and other costs. Students with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act are exempt from the full-time registration requirement and are allowed to take longer to complete their degrees while retaining their scholarship eligibility.

International students can apply for the NYS DREAM Act

The Excelsior Scholarship Program is a “last dollar” scholarship that covers any remaining tuition expenses after other scholarships and grants have been applied. The scholarship is available to students from families earning $125,000 or less per year who are enrolled in a SUNY or CUNY college. To be eligible, students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree, be enrolled full-time, and complete at least 30 credits each year. Students with disabilities can take longer to complete their degrees and still retain eligibility for the scholarship.

The NYS DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State-administered grants, scholarships, and student financial aid to support their higher education costs. The DREAM Act provides access to the Excelsior Scholarship, the Tuition Assistance Program, and other state-administered scholarships. Students eligible to apply for financial aid through the NYS DREAM Act must also complete an application for each program they are interested in obtaining aid from.

International students applying to an Excelsior University graduate program should have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) to determine bachelor's degree equivalence of three-year degrees and other foreign credentials. International students must also demonstrate proof of English language proficiency.

Therefore, international students can apply for the NYS DREAM Act, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the necessary applications. By applying for the NYS DREAM Act, international students can gain access to the Excelsior Scholarship and other financial aid opportunities to support their higher education in New York State.

International students can apply to nursing programs

International students applying to undergraduate non-nursing programs must have their credits evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) and documented on their Subject Analysis Report. For graduate programs, international students should have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) to determine bachelor's degree equivalence of three-year degrees and other foreign credentials.

Excelsior University awards credit for degree-level coursework completed at a university officially recognized as degree-granting by the regulating agency for higher education in the student's home country.

Frequently asked questions