Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on April 8, 2017, that the Excelsior Scholarship, a first-of-its-kind in the nation program, will provide tuition-free college at New York’s public colleges and universities and is included in the fiscal year 2018 Budget agreement. The program will be phased in over three years, beginning in fall 2017. It would first apply to families who earn $100,000 or less, then to those who earn $110,000 or less in 2018, and eventually reaching $125,000 or less in 2019.

"We applaud Governor Cuomo and the Legislature on a budget agreement that helps make college more affordable to a greater number of New York students and families,” said SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley. “The Excelsior Scholarship expands access to many more deserving students and the five-year tuition plan approved ensures college costs are predictable and transparent for all SUNY students and their families.” 

President Stanley added, “SUNY Oswego has a long-standing commitment to higher education access, college completion and cost predictability and we look forward to further expanding our support of students and their families as a result of this budget agreement."

For more information, to access frequently asked questions or to sign up to receive updates on the Excelsior Scholarship, visit “The Excelsior Scholarship is Leading the Way to College Affordability” or  https://www.hesc.ny.gov/.


Highlights of the Excelsior Scholarship:

  • A student will need to take at least 12 credit hours per semester to be eligible for the scholarship.
  • A student will need to complete 30 credit hours per academic year to maintain the award.
  • Current students will need to have accumulated 30 credit hours per year since they have been in college to be eligible.
  • Family federal adjusted gross income for 2015 must be less than $100,000 for fall 2017 recipients.
  • Students will need to maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree.
  • If a student does not maintain satisfactory progress, they will lose the award and not be allowed to get it back.
  • Students must live in New York and not work out of the state after graduation for the same number of years they receive the award, or they will need to repay the award.
  • Students must complete their academic program in four years, unless they are in an approved five-year undergraduate program.
  • The application will be available by late May.
  • The deadline to complete and submit the application will be July.
  • New and current students may apply.
  • Receive notification when applications are available by registering your email at https://www.hesc.ny.gov/www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior