College students can now apply for the Excelsior Scholarship for the 2021-2022 school year

New York State is committed to providing students with the option of attending a city or state university at an affordable rate, and State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. wants to let his constituents know that applications for the Excelsior Scholarship are now open.

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, allows eligible full-time students to attend a CUNY or SUNY two-year or four-year college tuition-free. Nearly 230,000 New York residents attend CUNY or SUNY tuition-free thanks to the addition of students receiving the Excelsior Scholarship.

To be eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year, the student’s household federal adjusted gross income can total up to $125,000.

Student who want to apply for the scholarship must also meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two or four-year college;
• Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study (including Summer and Winter terms);
• Be on track to graduate on time with an Associate's Degree in two years or a Bachelor's Degree in four years; and
• Recipients must also plan to live in New York State for the length of time they received the award.
   

“In today’s world, having just a high school diploma may not cut it anymore as many jobs require some amount of college education,” Addabbo — a member of the Senate Education Committee — said. “In order to compete in a global market, New York is dedicated to having the best of the best. That is why we are making higher education more accessible to more families across the state. I encourage families and students in my district to take advantage of this program and apply for the Excelsior Scholarship.”

The 2021-22 Excelsior Scholarship application is open to first-time students entering college in the Fall 2021 and current college students who have never received the Excelsior Scholarship. Current Excelsior Scholarship recipients should not complete this application.

Students can register for the Excelsior Scholarship here: https://webapps.hesc.ny.gov/questionnaire/page.hesc?questionnaireId=58&versionNumber=4

Students eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship under the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act can apply here: https://nysdream.applyists.net/.

Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2021.