How To Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship Program 2026 in USA

How To Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship Program 2026 in USA. Applications for the 2026 Excelsior Scholarship Program are expected to open in May 2026 for eligible students studying in New York public colleges and universities.

The scholarship, funded by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, helps qualified New York residents attend public universities tuition-free.

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Through the program, students can study at eligible State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) institutions without paying tuition costs.

The scholarship is designed for middle-income families and currently supports students from households earning $125,000 or less annually.

This guide explains the eligibility requirements, benefits, and complete application process for the Excelsior Scholarship Program 2026.

Excelsior Scholarship Program 2026 Summary

Host Country: United States
Study Destination: USA
Scholarship Type: Undergraduate Scholarship
Eligible Institutions: SUNY and CUNY schools
Eligible Applicants: U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Funding Type: Tuition-Free Scholarship
Coverage: Full in-state tuition support
Essay Requirement: No essay required
Application Opening Date: May 2026

What Is the Excelsior Scholarship Program?

The Excelsior Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance to eligible students attending public colleges in New York State.

The scholarship works as a last-dollar award, meaning it covers any remaining tuition costs after other financial aid has already been applied.

This includes:

Federal Pell Grants
New York State TAP grants
Other eligible tuition assistance

Students who qualify can complete associate or bachelor’s degree programs at participating public institutions without paying tuition fees.

Participating Universities

The scholarship applies only to public institutions under:

State University of New York (SUNY)
City University of New York (CUNY)

Private universities are not included in the program.

Eligibility Requirements for Excelsior Scholarship 2026

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

Residency Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Be a resident of New York State
Have lived in New York for at least 12 consecutive months before the academic term begins

Income Requirement

Household federal adjusted gross income must not exceed $125,000 per year

Academic Enrollment Requirements

Students must:

Enroll in a SUNY or CUNY institution
Take at least 12 credits every semester
Complete at least 30 credits per academic year
Remain on track to graduate on time

Degree completion timelines include:

2 years for associate degrees
4 years for bachelor’s degrees

Important Residency Obligation After Graduation

One of the most important conditions of the Excelsior Scholarship is the post-graduation residency requirement.

After completing your degree, you must:

Live in New York State
Work in New York State

The required period must equal the number of years you received the scholarship.

For example:

If you received the scholarship for 4 years, you must live and work in New York for 4 years after graduation.

If you fail to meet this requirement, the scholarship may be converted into a loan that must be repaid.

Benefits of the Excelsior Scholarship Program

Successful applicants receive the following benefits:

Full Tuition Coverage

The scholarship pays up to the full cost of in-state tuition at participating SUNY and CUNY schools.

Renewable Funding

Students may receive funding for:

Up to 4 years for bachelor’s degrees
Up to 5 years for approved extended programs

Support for Middle-Income Families

The scholarship is specifically designed to support families earning up to $125,000 annually.