This photo from 2024 shows the College of Staten Island's commencement ceremony on the Willowbrook campus.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York state students who attend an eligible City University of New York or State University of New York college can now apply for a scholarship program that offers free tuition.
Excelsior Scholarship program applications are now open for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The award is available to first-time students, or anyone who hasn’t already received the scholarship, from households making less that $125,000 a year.
The scholarship fills a tuition gap after federal and state financial aid — providing the potential for a tuition-free college experience for eligible state residents.
The deadline to apply for the fall 2025-26 semester is Aug. 31.
The scholarship is open to students who plan to attend a CUNY or SUNY school, including the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook.
Here are the eligibility requirements, according to the state:
In addition, anyone who gets the scholarship must live and work in New York state for a duration equal to the number of years they receive the funding.
For example, if you received the award for four years, you will be required to live and work in New York state for four years.
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — often called FAFSA — and Tuition Assistance Program application or Dream Act application each year before payment of this scholarship.
For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov and search for Excelsior Scholarship.
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