June 5, 2025 — The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation is pleased to announce that the Excelsior Scholarship application for the 2025–26 academic year is now open. Excelsior provides eligible New York State students with the opportunity to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free, helping to make college education more accessible and affordable.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens.
- Be a legal resident of New York State for at least 12 continuous months prior to applying.
- Be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per term) and complete 30 credits per year toward their degree.
- Attend a SUNY or CUNY school, including community colleges and statutory colleges at Cornell and Alfred University.
- Maintain continuous enrollment.
- Live and work in New York state for the same number of years they receive the scholarship.
Applicants are also required to submit the FAFSA and the TAP application each year and their adjusted combined federal household income must be $125,000 or less. Students who don’t meet these residency requirements may still be eligible through the NYS DREAM Act.
The deadline to apply is Aug. 31, 2025.