Leading the Way to College Affordability
We've made college tuition-free for middle class New Yorkers.
With the passage of the FY 2018 State Budget, New York is now home to the nation's first accessible college program - The Excelsior Scholarship.
Under this groundbreaking program, more than 940,000 middle-class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year will qualify to attend college tuition-free at all CUNY and SUNY two- and four-year colleges in New York State. The new program begins in the fall of 2017 and will be phased in over three years.
In order to apply, students must:
- Be residents of New York State - Plan to attend SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college - Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study (including January and Summer sessions) - Plan to live and work in New York following graduation for the length of time they participate in the scholarship program
Learn more about eligibility and the next application period.
Resources
Excelsior Scholarship Application
Learn more about eligibility and the next application period.
Enhanced Tuition Awards
Learn more about the Enhanced Tuition Awards program and sign up to get notified when you can apply for the award.
Excelsior Scholarship Information Toolkit
Everything you need to know about New York's tuition-free degree program, including eligibility requirements, how the program is implemented, and frequently asked questions.