International Students: Eligibility For Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship is a New York State initiative that provides tuition awards to eligible students attending New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY). The scholarship enables students from families earning $125,000 or less per year to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, reside in New York State for one year prior to enrollment, and complete thirty credits per year. So, can international students apply for the Excelsior Scholarship?

International students must apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act

The Excelsior Scholarship Program is a "last dollar" scholarship that allows students to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. The scholarship is available to students from families earning $125,000 or less per year.

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time and complete at least 30 credits each year. Students must also reside in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship. If employed during such time, they must be employed in New York State.

Undocumented and other immigrant students must apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before submitting their application for the Excelsior Scholarship. The NYS DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State-administered student financial aid to support their higher education costs. To be eligible for the NYS DREAM Act, students must have attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and enroll for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their NYS high school diploma. Alternatively, they must have received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and enroll for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving their diploma. Students must also have a household combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less and be in good standing on any student loans.

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship who are eligible under the DREAM Act must complete a payment application each year to receive award payments. They must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year if they are eligible for federal student aid.

Applicants must complete 30 credits per year

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, applicants must complete 30 credits per year. This requirement is applicable to students enrolled in an associate degree program or a bachelor's degree program. For students in an associate degree program, they must complete their degree in two consecutive years, while those in a bachelor's degree program must complete their degree in four consecutive years. This translates to an average of 30 credits per year.

The 30 credits per year requirement for the Excelsior Scholarship is a crucial aspect of maintaining eligibility for the award. Students must ensure they are on track to meet this credit threshold to avoid losing their scholarship. If a student fails to complete 30 credits over a year, they will be responsible for the tuition liability for the subsequent term. Additionally, they will no longer be eligible for future award payments as they will not be on track to complete their degree on time.

It is important to note that the 30 credits per year requirement can include summer and winter terms. Credits earned during these terms, as well as college credits earned while in high school, will count towards the annual 30-credit requirement. This flexibility allows students to utilise various terms to ensure they meet the necessary credit threshold.

Students with disabilities have additional considerations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They can take longer to complete their associate or bachelor's degree and still retain their Excelsior Scholarship eligibility. This accommodation is provided if their disability necessitates attending less than full-time (30 credits per year) or if they need to pause their studies due to their disability. However, students with disabilities must register with their college office for students with disabilities before the start of the semester for which they seek the scholarship award.

For students who have previously attended college, the requirement of completing 30 credits each year, applicable toward their degree program, also applies. This condition is relevant for those who attended college prior to the academic year for which they are seeking the Excelsior Scholarship award.

The scholarship covers any remaining tuition expenses

The Excelsior Scholarship is a "last-dollar" scholarship, meaning that it covers any remaining tuition expenses after other federal or state grants and scholarships are applied. This includes the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and federal Pell Grant. The scholarship covers up to $5,500 in tuition expenses, and any remaining balance after the scholarship is applied will be covered by a tuition credit.

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time and complete at least 30 credits each year towards their degree program. They must also be in good academic standing and meet certain income requirements. Additionally, students must reside in New York State and be employed in the state for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship. If a student moves out of New York State before completing their residency requirement, their award will be converted to a no-interest loan.

The Excelsior Scholarship is available to students attending a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college. It is important to note that the scholarship covers tuition only, and students are responsible for college fees, room, and board. The scholarship also has tax implications, and recipients should consult a tax professional or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance for more information.

Undocumented and immigrant students must apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship. Students with disabilities who change their major or transfer to another college due to their disability or medical condition may still be eligible for the scholarship with proper medical documentation.

Students must be enrolled full-time

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time and take thirty credits per year, including summer and winter terms. Students who are enrolled in an opportunity program are required to complete 24 credits each academic year. Students with disabilities can take longer to complete their degrees and retain their Excelsior Scholarship eligibility if their disability requires them to attend less than full-time. However, they must register with their college office for students with disabilities before the start of the semester for which they are seeking the award.

Full-time students facing hardship are allowed to take fewer credits. Students who are not on track to complete an associate degree in two consecutive years or a bachelor's degree in four consecutive years can catch up on missing credits to become eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship. They must reapply for the scholarship once they meet the credit requirements. Students who transfer between postsecondary schools can receive an award if they remain on track to complete their degree based on the number of credits accepted by their new college.

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship must be continuously enrolled, full-time, at a SUNY or CUNY college. A pause in enrollment or a reduction in the required credits is only allowable for the following reasons:

• The death of an immediate family member
• Being called to active military duty
• Interrupting studies to take care of a newborn child (parental leave)
• A medical or health condition that prevents the student from continuing a full-time course load
• Interrupting studies to provide care for an immediate family member who needs extra care due to health needs

Students who receive the Excelsior Scholarship are required to live and work in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship. If the student moves out of New York State before completing their residency requirement, all or part of their award will be converted to a no-interest loan.

Recipients must agree to reside and work in New York State

The Excelsior Scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship that allows students to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. It is intended for students from families earning $125,000 or less per year.

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship must agree to reside and work in New York State for a duration equal to the number of years they received the scholarship. For example, if a recipient receives the award for four years, they will be required to live and work in New York State for four years. This requirement applies even after graduation.

Recipients must sign a contract with the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) agreeing to these terms. Failure to meet the residency requirement will result in the conversion of the award to a loan. The residency requirement will be deferred while the recipient continues their education outside of New York State, and they will have six months to return to the state to begin fulfilling the requirement.

If a recipient moves out of New York State before completing the residency requirement, all or part of their award will be converted to a no-interest loan. This means that the scholarship amount received will need to be paid back without incurring any interest charges.

Frequently asked questions