Unlocking Opportunity: Understanding the SUNY Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship opens doors to tuition-free education at New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY) for eligible students. Focused on making college affordable, particularly for middle-class families, the scholarship program has specific requirements and eligibility criteria that students need to understand. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SUNY Excelsior Scholarship, outlining its key features, eligibility rules, and ongoing obligations.

Key Features of the Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship provides tuition awards to eligible students attending New York State's public colleges and universities (SUNY and CUNY). The scholarship aims to make college more accessible and affordable for New York residents. The Excelsior Scholarship applies to tuition only and does not cover the other costs of college.

Award Amount

An Excelsior Scholarship recipient can receive up to $5,500, minus any amounts received for TAP, PELL, or other grants or scholarships (unless specifically indicated for non-tuition expenses). TAP, PELL and any other grants or scholarships are subtracted from the frozen tuition amount of SUNY $7,070 or CUNY $6,930, the amount remaining is your Excelsior Scholarship award up to a maximum of $7,070.00.

Duration of the Scholarship

You are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to two years for students pursuing an associate’s degree and up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Initial Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship, applicants must meet several requirements:

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Residency: Applicants must be New York state residents.
Income Cap: New York state residents whose family household adjusted gross income does not exceed $125,000 are eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship.
Enrollment Status: You must be enrolled full time. Recipients must complete a total of 30 degree applicable credits over the course of a year (defined as 365 days) and be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits in a semester. You must be enrolled full time and complete 30 degree applicable credits per year (defined as 365 days).
Credit Applicability: Credits earned in high school may count toward the combined annual thirty credits if they are accepted toward the student's program of study.
Prior Degree: Yes, provided the college that you attend accepts all of the credits you earned in completing your associate degree, and you meet all other requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship.
Age and Graduation Status: You can enroll at any age and don’t have to be a recent high school graduate.

Maintaining Eligibility

Continued eligibility for the Excelsior Scholarship depends on meeting specific academic and residency requirements:

Credit Completion: For example, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per term and complete 30 credits per year to continue to receive the scholarship.
Passing Grades: According to HESC, recipients must earn a passing grade in their coursework to maintain the scholarship. HESC regulations may give more detail regarding the timeframe for certification and what constitutes a passing grade, especially as it relates to programs which require a specified grade (e.g.
Annual Review: Eligibility will be reviewed every semester. At the end of the fall and spring semesters, HESC will require SUNY Oneonta to confirm final award eligibility for each student. This includes confirmation of minimum credits earned and certification of other grants and scholarships factored into the estimated Excelsior Scholarship award calculation.
Loss of Eligibility: You can lose the scholarship if you do not continue to meet all eligibility requirements. If a student does not meet the certification requirements, eligibility for the Excelsior Scholarship program and associated awards will be rescinded. Students are responsible for all monies owed as a result of a loss of eligibility, regardless of when the loss is determined.

Post-Graduation Requirements

After graduation, recipients must adhere to specific residency and employment rules:

Residency and Employment: After graduation, you must live and be employed (if working) in New York State for the number of years you received the scholarship. For example, if you received four Excelsior Scholarship awards while getting your bachelor’s degree, you must live in New York state for four years after college. In addition, if you are working during those years, you must work in New York state.

Relationship with Other Financial Aid

The Excelsior Scholarship is designed to supplement other forms of financial aid:

Use of Other Aid: If you receive a federal or NYS grant or scholarship, including a federal Pell Grant, a NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant or scholarships for tuition or not designated for other costs, you must use those first.

Scholarship vs. Loan

It's crucial to understand the conditions under which the Excelsior Scholarship operates:

Scholarship Nature: This is a scholarship.
Conversion to Loan: However, the scholarship converts to a loan when a student does not fulfill the residency requirement. The scholarship does not revert to a loan if the student becomes ineligible and loses the scholarship while continuing their undergraduate work prior to graduation.

Special Circumstances

The program provides avenues for students facing unforeseen challenges:

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Financial Changes: Incoming students who have had a change in their financial circumstances due to death, disability, divorce or separation of a parent or spouse may request an eligibility determination review based on current circumstances.
Extenuating Circumstances: Current recipients who do not meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements due to one of the conditions indicated below may be able to retain their Excelsior Scholarship awards. If you meet any of the following conditions, please fill out the Excelsior Eligibility Determination Form. Please note that documentation will be required.

Practical Considerations

Navigating the Excelsior Scholarship also involves understanding practical aspects:

Application Timing: The Excelsior Application is available a few months before the start of a semester.
Billing: Excelsior applicants may notice that the scholarship is not reflected on their bill. Option 2: Enroll in the Oneonta Installment Plan and pay the first installment (1/3 of the balance due).

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