Excelsior
Tuition Free Scholarship
New York State residents may be able to attend SUNY Ulster tuition free through the new Excelsior Scholarship program.
This scholarship will be phased in over three years, beginning for New Yorkers with a household gross adjusted income of up to $100,000 annually in the fall of 2017, $110,000 in 2018, and $125,000 in 2019. Other basic requirements include full-time registration, completing 30 credits per year with a passing grade - with all coursework applicable to your program.
Catch-Up Year
Applicants who first entered college as a freshman student in the 2015-16 and who have earned 54 credits, or who first entered college as a freshman student in 2016-17 academic year and who earned 24 credits can make up those 6 credits in 2017-18. Students who successfully earn 36 credits in the 2017-18 academic year can become eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship beginning in the 2018-19 academic year.
It is required that you file your FAFSA and TAP applications, as the Excelsior Scholarship
covers the remainder of your tuition not paid for by your Pell or TAP grants.
Application Deadline for Fall 2022: August 31, 2022
Current Excelsior Scholarship recipients should not complete this application.
Excelsior Scholarship FAQs
Will I be able to attend college at SUNY or CUNY tuition free?
What does it mean to be a “NYS resident” for purposes of receiving this award?
How much can I receive from the Excelsior Scholarship?
Will I be able to get an award for the fall?
When will I be able to apply for the award?
How much income can my family earn to be eligible for an award?
Can I get an award if I'm currently going to a public college?
Do I need a certain grade point average to get or keep the award?
Can I get an award if I'm a transfer student?
Once I receive the scholarship, is it possible to lose it?
If I completed my associate’s degree, can I receive this award to get my bachelor’s degree?
Are there any other requirements that I must meet after I complete my degree?
Will I be able to attend college at SUNY or CUNY tuition free?
Yes. If you are a NYS resident whose family household adjusted gross income (as filed
on your 2015 federal tax returns) does not exceed $100,000 for the 2017-18 academic
year and you complete 30 credits per year, you will be able to attend a SUNY or CUNY
college tuition free.
What does it mean to be a “NYS resident” for purposes of receiving this award?
To be considered a NYS resident for purposes of receiving this award, you must have
resided in the State for 12 continuous months prior to the term for which the award
is being sought.
How much can I receive from the Excelsior Scholarship?
An Excelsior Scholarship recipient can receive up to $5,500 from the Excelsior Scholarship,
minus any amounts received for TAP, Pell or other scholarships. The remainder of your
tuition charge will be covered through a tuition credit paid through SUNY or CUNY.
Will I be able to get an award for the fall?
Yes. Eligible students will receive awards to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition
free this fall.
When will I be able to apply for the award?
It is anticipated that the Excelsior Scholarship application will be available in
late May.
How much income can my family earn to be eligible for an award?
For the 2017-18 academic year, your federal household adjusted gross income can total
up to $100,000 to be eligible. For 2018-19, that amount increases to $110,000, and
beginning in 2019-20 and beyond, your family’s adjusted gross income can total up
to $125,000.
Can I get an award if I'm currently going to a public college?
Yes. Students who are currently attending college are eligible to receive an award,
provided they are currently on track to complete their degree on time.
You are eligible to get an award for up to two years for students pursuing an associate’s
degree and up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students in
an undergraduate program of study normally requiring five years are eligible to receive
the award for five years.
Do I need a certain grade point average to get or keep the award?
Award recipients need to earn a passing grade to maintain their Excelsior Scholarship
awards, provided they earn a total of 30 credits over the course of a year. Recipients
should keep in mind that they may have other awards which also carry academic standards
that differ from those required for the Excelsior Scholarship.
Can I get an award if I'm a transfer student?
A student who transferred between colleges is eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship
if they are on track to complete on time based on the number of credits accepted by
their current college.
Once I receive the scholarship, is it possible to lose it?
You can lose the scholarship if you do not continue to meet all eligibility requirements.
For example, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per term and complete 30 credits
per year to continue to receive the scholarship.
If I completed my associate’s degree, can I receive this award to get my bachelor’s
degree?
Yes, provided the college that you are attending accepted all of the credits you earned
in completing your associate’s degree, and meet all other requirements for the Excelsior
Scholarship.
Are there any other requirements that I must meet after I complete my degree?
Yes. You must live in New York State for the number of years equal to awards you received.
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.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in the conversion of your award to
a loan.
I already have an undergraduate degree. Can I get an Excelsior Scholarship to pursue
a second degree?
Applicants who have an associate’s degree are eligible to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
However, you may not receive an award to pursue a second associate’s or a second bachelor’s
degree.
