Excelsior Scholarship 2026, USA

Overview

Host Country: United States Scholarship Name: Excelsior Scholarship Administered By: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Degree Level: Associate and Bachelor's Eligible Institutions: SUNY and CUNY Colleges and Universities Eligible Nationalities: U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-U.S. Citizens Household Income Limit: Up to $125,000 per year Scholarship Coverage: Full Tuition (after other financial aid) Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Description

Eligibility

Applicants for the Excelsior Scholarship must:

Come from a household with an annual federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less

Attend a SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year institution

Enroll as a full-time student

Complete at least 30 credits each academic year

Remain on track to graduate within the required timeframe

Meet all applicable residency and academic requirements

Additional Information

Scholarship Summary

Degree Level

The scholarship supports students pursuing:

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Available Subjects

Students may study a wide range of academic disciplines, including:

Engineering

Computer Science

Information Technology

Business Administration

Finance

Economics

Education

Health Sciences

Nursing

Public Health

Biological Sciences

Environmental Studies

Mathematics

Social Sciences

Psychology

Criminal Justice

Communication Studies

Data Science

Liberal Arts

Arts and Humanities

Benefits

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship may receive:

Full tuition coverage at eligible SUNY institutions

Full tuition coverage at eligible CUNY institutions

Reduced dependence on student loans

Access to affordable undergraduate education

Financial assistance after applying available federal and state aid

Opportunity to complete a college degree with significantly lower educational costs

Enhanced Tuition Award Eta

Eligible students attending participating private colleges may receive:

Up to $6,000 annually toward tuition

Financial assistance for private higher education

Reduced out-of-pocket expenses

Greater flexibility when selecting a college

For the Enhanced Tuition Award, applicants must also meet New York State residency requirements.

Eligible Nationalities

The scholarship is available to:

U.S. Citizens

Eligible Non-U.S. Citizens who satisfy program requirements

For the Enhanced Tuition Award, applicants must also meet New York State residency requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Excelsior Scholarship must:

Come from a household with an annual federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less

Attend a SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year institution

Enroll as a full-time student

Complete at least 30 credits each academic year

Remain on track to graduate within the required timeframe

Meet all applicable residency and academic requirements

Enhanced Tuition Award Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Be a New York State resident for at least 12 months before enrollment

Attend a participating private college in New York

Have a household income of $125,000 or less

Study full-time

Complete at least 30 credits per academic year

Agree to live and work in New York State for the same number of years they receive the award

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

Completed scholarship application

Proof of New York State residency

Household income documentation

Academic transcripts

Enrollment verification

Identification documents

Any additional documents requested by HESC

Application Process

To apply for the Excelsior Scholarship:

Confirm your eligibility based on income, residency, and enrollment status.

Complete the official scholarship application.

Submit all required financial and academic documents.

Ensure enrollment as a full-time student at an eligible SUNY or CUNY institution.

Maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete at least 30 credits annually.

Submit the application before the closing date.

Students interested in the Enhanced Tuition Award should follow the separate application process for participating private colleges.

Why Apply For The Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship provides students with an opportunity to earn a college degree while significantly reducing tuition costs. By covering remaining tuition expenses after other financial aid is applied, the program helps families manage educational expenses and allows students to focus on academic success instead of financial challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

Who can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship? Eligible U.S. citizens and qualifying non-U.S. citizens from households earning $125,000 or less who enroll full-time at SUNY or CUNY institutions may apply.

What expenses does the scholarship cover? The scholarship covers remaining tuition costs after federal and state financial aid has been applied.

What is the application deadline? The application deadline for the Excelsior Scholarship and the Enhanced Tuition Award is August 31, 2026 .

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Card

Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

USA Universities

Degree

Bachelor

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students, Domestic Students

Country

USA

Source

Information provided by scholarships_ads.

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