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How to Apply for Excelsior Scholarship?

How to apply for excelsior scholarship

For students, who are living in New York State, the Excelsior Scholarship works very well. This scholarship is designed for New York state colleges and universities. For the successful application for this scholarship, students have to follow the eligibility criteria and deadlines. Some students are unaware of the application process. So, here we will discuss the Excelsior Scholarship, the application process, and eligibility criteria, the award amount, and the effect of other scholarships on the Excelsior Scholarship.

What is the Excelsior Scholarship?

Excelsior Scholarship is the New York States scholarship program that provides financial assistance to residents for full-time study. It is a combination of other student financial aid programs. It helps students in attending the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY). Students can easily afford their education with this scholarship at the range of these two universities. This scholarship covers only tuition expenses and it covers the remaining expense of up to $5,500. To get a scholarship, you have to follow the prescribed eligibility criteria.

How to apply for an Excelsior Scholarship?

The Excelsior Scholarship covers the tuition cost and does not cover any other cost of education like room and board, textbooks, etc. This scholarship award is eligible for the candidates who attend the New York State and City Public College and University (SUNY and CUNY). To apply, you have to follow the eligibility criteria and the eligibility criteria are mentioned below.

Eligibility Criteria for Excelsior Scholarship

The following points will help you to get eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship.

  • Students must be a citizen of the United States and if he is non-citizen, then must be eligible non-citizens of the United States.
  • Students must be residents of New York State. If students apply for this scholarship, then students must be permanent citizens from the last 12 months to the beginning of the term at SUNY and CUNY.
  • The adjusted gross income of the student’s family must be around $125,000 or less to get Excelsior Scholarship.
  • Student must be pursuing their undergraduate degree with a range of SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities. The range of these universities includes statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University.
  • Students must be enrolled in the course or program which is having 12 credits per term and 30 credits per year.
  • Students must have a high school equivalency diploma and be graduated from a high school in the U.S.
  • Students can also pass a federally approved test named ‘Ability to Benefit’. This test is stated by the commissioner of the state education department.
  • Students should comply with the terms and policies of the award that they have previously received from the NYS.
  • Students should sign a contract with NYS that defines the length of the award time. If you are employed during such time then it must be with the NYS.
  • Before applying for the Excelsior Scholarship, students should fill out the application for FAFSA and TAP.

Therefore, these are the eligibility criteria that students have to follow to get any table for the Excelsior Scholarship.

Application Procedure for Excelsior Scholarship

The points that students have to follow for the successful application and mentioned below.

  • Students should complete the application for FAFSA and TAP (Tuition Assistance Program).
  • Students should submit all college transcripts and the (SAR) Student Aid Report if there are any.
  • Students should submit copies of the New York income tax return that is filed by their parents and the income statement of the parents.
  • Students can apply for Excelsior Scholarship through HESC.
  • Students should upload all the documents along with the application such as Academic reports, extracurricular interests, personal information, essay, etc.

Is any other scholarship affect the Excelsior Scholarship?

If students already earn any federal scholarship, grant, or NYS scholarship. Any other grant like Federal Pell Grant, any TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), etc. Along with these, if students can earn Excelsior Scholarship then the amount of this scholarship will cover the remaining tuition cost of education. It means firstly, the previously earn scholarship is used and afterward, the Excelsior Scholarship amount is used to pay tuition fees.

Conclusion

For the successful application of the Excelsior Scholarship, students have to comply with the eligibility criteria and follow the application guidelines. They have to complete the application for FAFSA and TAP, they have to submit the tax returns statement, they have to submit all the documents regarding academics, etc, they should follow the deadline for the application which is in August. Students must be citizens of the United States and must keep in mind that this scholarship only covers the tuition cost.