The Excelsior Scholarship is a program in the state of New York that provides free tuition for eligible students at public colleges and universities in the state. The program is available to students who meet certain income and academic requirements and who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program.
The scholarship is intended to make college more affordable for students from lower-income families, and to increase the number of graduates from New York’s public colleges and universities.
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Benefits
The Excelsior Scholarship provides free tuition for eligible students at public colleges and universities in the state of New York. This can be a significant financial benefit for students and their families, as it can help to reduce the overall cost of attendance and make college more affordable.
Additionally, the scholarship may also help to increase the number of graduates from New York’s public colleges and universities, which can have a positive impact on the state’s economy and workforce.
Other benefits of the scholarship may include;
-It covers tuition, not room and board, books and other expenses.
-It is available to students who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program.
-It is open to students who are residents of New York state.
-It is available to students regardless of their immigration status.
-It has no repayment required.
-It has no impact on student’s eligibility for other forms of financial aid.
-It has no limit on the number of semesters or years it can be used.
-You can use it in combination with other forms of financial aid.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must meet certain income and academic requirements. Some of the key eligibility criteria include:
Residency: Students must be legal residents of New York state and have lived in the state for at least 12 consecutive months before the start of the academic year for which they are applying.
Income: Students must have a family income that is less than or equal to a certain threshold, which is set by the state and is based on the size of the family and the number of family members who are attending college.
Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at a public college or university in New York state.
Academic Performance: Students must be in good academic standing and must have a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) while in college.
Service Commitment: Students who receive the scholarship must agree to live and work in New York state for the same number of years after graduation as the number of years they received the scholarship.
Other Criteria: Students must not be in default on any student loans and must not have been convicted of a felony.
It’s important to note that these are general criteria, and there may be other specific requirements or exceptions that apply depending on the student’s individual circumstances.
Therefore, students should consult the program’s guidelines and speak with a financial aid advisor to determine their eligibility for the Excelsior Scholarship.
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Required Documents
The specific documents required to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship may vary depending on a student’s individual circumstances, but in general, the following types of documentation are typically required:
High School transcripts: Students must provide their high school transcripts as proof of graduation or equivalent.
Proof of Residency: Students must provide proof of their legal residency in New York state, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill.
Proof of Income: Students must provide proof of their family’s income, such as a copy of their most recent tax return or a letter from their employer.
FAFSA: Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for the scholarship.
Enrollment status: Students must provide proof of their enrollment status in a full-time undergraduate program at a public college or university in New York state.
Academic status: Students must provide a copy of their current academic transcript or other documentation to prove their academic standing.
Service Commitment: Students who receive the scholarship must agree to live and work in New York state for the same number of years after graduation as the number of years they received the scholarship.
It’s important to note that these are general documents required, and there may be other specific requirements or exceptions that apply depending on the student’s individual circumstances.
Therefore, students should consult the program’s guidelines and speak with a financial aid advisor to determine all the required documents for the Excelsior Scholarship.
How To Apply Online
To apply for the Excelsior Scholarship online, students should follow these general steps:
Gather the required documentation: Before applying, students should gather all of the required documentation, such as their high school transcripts, proof of residency, and proof of income.
Create an account: Students should go to the official website of the Excelsior Scholarship program and create an account by providing their personal information and creating a username and password.
Submit the application: Once the account is created, students can log in and begin the application process by completing the online application form and submitting it along with the required documentation.
Submit the FAFSA: Students must also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the scholarship.
Wait for a decision: After submitting the application, students should wait for a decision on their eligibility for the scholarship. If they are accepted, they will be notified and provided with instructions on how to accept the scholarship and enroll in classes.
Maintain Eligibility: Students must maintain good academic standing and meet certain requirements, like the service commitment, in order to keep the scholarship.
Deadline
February 9, 2023 at midnight
