STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Applications opened Tuesday for a state scholarship program that offers free tuition to eligible City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) students, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.
The Excelsior Scholarship program applications are now open for the spring 2024 term, and are available to first-time students and those who never received the scholarship from households that make less that $125,000 a year.
The scholarship fills a tuition gap after federal and state financial aid — providing the potential for a tuition-free college experience for eligible state residents.
“The Excelsior Scholarship is a game changer for students across New York State who might not have the financial means to pursue higher education,” Hochul said. “This program is making college more affordable and accessible for low- and middle-income families, giving them the opportunity to obtain their college degree. By investing in our future workforce, we are investing in our economy and ensuring a strong and prosperous future for all New Yorkers.”
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 2, and are open to students who plan to attend a CUNY or SUNY school, like the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook or Stony Brook University.
In addition to the household income requirements, first-time students also need to plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college, completing an associate or bachelor degree while reaching 30 credits per year toward their program of study.
New York state’s college finance programs led to more than 263,000 students receiving state financial aid in the 2021-2022 academic year, including approximately 30,000 students who attended a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free because of the Excelsior Scholarship.
“The Excelsior Scholarship has enabled thousands of CUNY students to attend college tuition-free. Since its inception, the program has become an important asset to our historical mission of opening…
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