Excelsior Scholarship application open for new applicants for 2026-27 academic year

Eligible SUNY & CUNY students whose families earn up to $125,000 annually can attend tuition-free college

√ Enhanced tuition award (ETA) scholarship provides up to $6,000 for students attending participating private colleges

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the application for the Excelsior Scholarship for new applicants for the 2026-27 academic year is now open. The Excelsior Scholarship, administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), provides eligible full-time students with tuition-free attendance at SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year colleges. Students choosing to attend a participating private college in New York can receive up to $6,000 toward their tuition costs through the enhanced tuition award.

“Higher education should be a pathway to opportunity, not a source of financial strain,” Hochul said. “Programs like the Excelsior Scholarship and the enhanced tuition award put opportunity within reach for thousands of New Yorkers ready to take the next step toward a college degree. This program helps make higher education more accessible by allowing eligible students to attend SUNY and CUNY colleges tuition-free. It’s about keeping students in New York, supporting their goals, and strengthening our workforce and economy.”

In the 2024-25 academic year, $101 million in Excelsior awards was distributed to more than 25,000 students, enabling 72% of CUNY students and 55% of SUNY students to attend college tuition-free through a combination of the Excelsior Scholarship and other awards; additionally, $1.7 million in enhanced tuition awards was provided to more than 1,500 students.

Students from households with federal adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000 are eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship award, and must also:

•Attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college

•Enroll full-time and complete 30 credits per year toward their program of study (including summer and winter terms); and be on track to graduate with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years

More information and full eligibility criteria for the Excelsior Scholarship can be found here.

Additionally, applications are now being accepted for the enhanced tuition award. ETA provides eligible New York students up to $6,000 in tuition assistance at participating private colleges in this state.

To qualify, students must:

√ Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

√ Be a New York state resident for at least 12 months before the start of the term

√ Be attending a participating private college in New York state

√ Have a combined federal household income of $125,000 or less

√ Enroll full-time and complete 30 credits per year in their program of study

√ Agree to live and work in New York for the same number of years the award was received

Full eligibility criteria for the enhanced tuition award can be found here.

The deadline for new applicants to apply for the ETA or Excelsior Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year is Aug. 31.

Students currently receiving either the Excelsior Scholarship or ETA do not need to submit applications annually to receive continued award payments; however, they must continue to meet eligibility criteria and complete the FAFSA and TAP applications, or DREAM Act application each year applying for aid.

NYS HESC Acting President Doris B. González said, “At New York State Higher Education Services Corp., we are proud to deliver the Excelsior Scholarship as a transformative opportunity for students across the state. This program reflects our commitment to making college more affordable, breaking down barriers, and ensuring eligible students understand what’s available and how to access it. We encourage students and families to take that next step: Apply. Let us help you move closer to earning your degree.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and ongoing investment from Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature helps ensure our colleges and universities are able to provide an excellent and affordable higher education. Direct student financial aid has been expanding under the leadership of Gov. Hochul, and we encourage every student to find out how much financial aid they qualify for by filling out the FAFSA or DREAM Act online applications.”

Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “Programs like the enhanced tuition award are critical investments in New York’s students, workforce, and future. By expanding access to affordable higher education, New York continues to demonstrate that college opportunities should not be limited by a family’s financial circumstances. We appreciate Gov. Hochul and the Higher Education Services Corp. for their continued commitment to helping students and families obtain the resources to pursue higher education and prepare to enter the New York’s future workforce. As students and families plan for the future, this program will continue to play an important role in keeping talented students in New York and preparing the next generation of leaders and innovators our state depends on.”

Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, "Awareness is critical to making higher education more accessible and affordable for New Yorkers. Gov. Hochul and leaders at HESC continue to prioritize important investments that help open doors for students who may have once believed their postsecondary aspirations were out of reach because of financial barriers. We are proud to join forces with our partners in government and across higher education to help promote student aid opportunities and expand access for students statewide."

HESC offers 27 New York state financial aid programs that help make college affordable and accessible. In 2024-25, more than 294,000 students received state financial aid, totaling more than $935 million.

For more information about the Excelsior Scholarship Program, the ETA, or to explore other NYS financial aid opportunities, visit the NYS HESC website.