Welcome to the Excelsior Scholarships Program 2023, an incredible chance to study in New York without paying tuition fees. This program is designed to help students like you overcome financial barriers and pursue higher education. By joining this initiative, you’ll have access to a world of learning opportunities and a brighter future. Come and explore how the Excelsior Scholarships Program can open doors to knowledge and personal growth in the bustling educational landscape of New York. Below is the full details about the Excelsior Scholarships Program.
About The Excelsior Scholarships Program
The Excelsior Scholarship is a fantastic program that allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college in New York without having to pay tuition fees. It is designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable for eligible students.
Under the Excelsior Scholarship, tuition costs are covered for qualified SUNY and CUNY students. This means that if you are eligible for the scholarship, you won’t have to worry about paying for tuition, allowing you to focus on your studies and pursue your academic goals.
To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, your family’s total income should have been $125,000 or less in the tax year 2021. This income threshold ensures that the scholarship reaches students from various financial backgrounds and provides assistance to those who need it most.
Benefits Of The Excelsior Scholarships Program
- The Excelsior Scholarship comes into play after you’ve received other grants and scholarships from federal and state sources.
- The total dollar amount you receive from these grants and scholarships, such as the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award or federal Pell Grant, is subtracted from your tuition rate for the academic year.
- Whatever amount remains as your tuition expenses, up to a maximum of $5,500, will be covered by the Excelsior Scholarship.
- In cases where your tuition expenses exceed the total financial aid you’ve received, you’ll receive a tuition credit that will be applied to the remaining balance.
- The specific tuition rates used for calculating the Excelsior Scholarship are based on the 2022-23 resident tuition rates charged by the State University of New York (SUNY) at $7,070 or the City University of New York (CUNY) at $6,930.
Requirements For The Excelsior Scholarships Program
To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, you need to:
- Be a resident of New York State (NYS) and have lived there for 12 consecutive months before your term begins.
- Be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen eligible for federal aid.
- Have completed high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed an approved “Ability to Benefit” test.
- Have a total combined income of $125,000 or less on your federal tax returns.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a college within the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) system. This includes community colleges, as well as Cornell University and Alfred University’s statutory colleges.
- Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete a minimum of 30 credits each year, continuously working towards your degree without taking a break except for certain documented reasons.
- If you attended college before the 2023-24 academic year, you must have earned at least 30 credits each year towards your degree program before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship.
- You should not be in default on any NYS or federal student loans or the repayment of any NYS awards.
- You must fulfill any service conditions attached to any previous NYS awards you have received.
- Lastly, you’ll need to sign a contract stating that you will live in New York State for the duration of the award and, if you’re employed during that time, you’ll need to work in New York State.
Eligibility Review Of The Excelsior Scholarships Program
- Income Eligibility Review: If your current or prior year adjusted gross income is $125,000 or below due to disability, divorce, separation, or the death of a parent or spouse, you can request a review of your eligibility. To do this, complete the Income Eligibility Determination Form and upload it to the designated website (https://www.hesc.ny.gov/ExcelsiorDetermination).
- Retaining the Excelsior Scholarship: In situations where recipients are unable to meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements due to specific circumstances, it may still be possible to retain the Excelsior Scholarship. If you fall into any of the following conditions, contact your school to have your eligibility reviewed. Remember, you will need to provide appropriate documentation, and your school will inform the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) of the determination.
- Experience the death of an immediate family member.
- Are called to active military duty.
- Interrupt your studies to take care of your newborn child (parental leave).
- Your medical or healthcare provider determines that your medical condition or mental health prevents you from starting or continuing the term or maintaining a full-time course load.
- Interrupt your studies to care for an immediate family member whose medical or healthcare provider has determined that they require additional support or care, impacting your ability to begin or continue the term or maintain a full-time course load.
Please keep in mind that there may be additional circumstances beyond those listed above that may or may not allow you to retain your award, based on state laws and regulations. It’s crucial to stay informed and reach out to your school for guidance in such cases.
Scholarship Deadline
- August 31st, 2023
Catching Up on Credits
If you find yourself not on track to complete your Associate’s degree in two consecutive years or your Bachelor’s degree in four consecutive years (which typically requires completing the equivalent of 30 credits each academic year), you can still make up for the missing credits.
Once you successfully earn additional credits during a term or academic year and get back on track to completing your degree on time, you must reapply to be eligible to receive an Excelsior Scholarship for the remainder of your undergraduate degree program. This means you’ll need to submit a new application to demonstrate your updated progress.
Opportunity program
If you are participating in an opportunity program, the Excelsior Scholarship program provides you with up to five years to complete your degree on time. To stay on track, you’ll need to complete the equivalent of 24 credits during each academic year. This extended timeframe recognizes the unique challenges and additional support that opportunity program students may require to successfully achieve their educational goals. By completing the necessary credits within the given timeframe, you can make the most of the Excelsior Scholarship and ensure a timely completion of your degree.
Five-Year Undergraduate Programs
For students enrolled in undergraduate programs that typically span five years, the Excelsior Scholarship program provides a timeframe of five years to complete your degree on schedule. To stay on track, you’ll need to successfully complete the equivalent of 30 credits during each academic year. This recognition of the extended duration of your program acknowledges that certain fields of study require additional time and coursework to fulfill degree requirements. By meeting the credit completion expectations within the designated timeframe, you can take full advantage of the Excelsior Scholarship and ensure a timely completion of your undergraduate degree.
For students with disabilities covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Excelsior Scholarship program has specific guidelines in place. Here’s what you need to know:
Registration with College Office for Students with Disabilities
To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students with qualified disabilities who attend less than full time must register with their college’s office for students with disabilities. This registration ensures that appropriate accommodations and support can be provided to meet your individual needs.
Continuous Enrollment and Credit Completion: As a student with a disability under the ADA, it is important to maintain continuous enrollment and successfully complete the number of credits you attempted each semester. This is crucial for meeting the requirement of on-time degree completion. It’s essential to actively participate in your courses and strive to earn credits for all the classes you take.
Making Up Missing Credits: In situations where you have not earned credits for all the courses attempted, there is an opportunity to catch up on missing credits. By successfully earning additional credits during Summer and/or Winter session(s), you can get back on track and fulfill the credit requirements that were not previously completed. This flexibility allows you to make progress toward your degree and stay on schedule.
How To Apply For The Excelsior Scholarships Program
If you are a student applying for financial aid in New York State under the DREAM Act, you need to apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship. If you have already qualified under the NYS DREAM Act in the past, you just need to submit a new application to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, students with disabilities can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship. However, they must meet all the eligibility requirements, including being enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and completing the necessary credits each semester.
Yes, if you were enrolled in college prior to the 2023-24 academic year and have already earned at least 30 credits each year applicable toward your degree program, you can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship.
f you do not meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements, you may be at risk of losing your Excelsior Scholarship. However, there are specific conditions and circumstances where you may be able to retain your award.
Yes, the Excelsior Scholarship can be combined with other federal and state grants and scholarships. It is designed to cover the remaining tuition expenses after other aid has been applied, up to $5,500.
References
- https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/
- https://ascholarship.com/excelsior-scholarships-program-2023-to-study-for-free-in-new-york/
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