Act Now to Receive Free Tuition (NYS Excelsior Scholarship)

The Excelsior Scholarship program will open in December 2024 for the spring semester.

How to Apply

Apply for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship

NOTE: The FAFSA and TAP applications must be completed 5 days prior to the closing date to ensure that NYS can process your Excelsior Scholarship application.

Eligibility

  • Family’s federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must be less than $125,000. Student must meet general NYS grant eligibility criteria:
    • A resident of New York State for one year
    • High School graduate, GED/HSE recipient, or gain acceptance into RCC’s 24-credit program
    • Attend full-time (12 credits or more per semester)
    • Earn 30 credits each year and make progress to graduate on-time (in two years)
  • Student must agree to live/work in New York State after leaving college for the number of years equal to the awards received
  • Failure to meet the live/work requirement results in the scholarship’s conversion to an interest-free loan

Continuing RCC Students

  • Must have started in Fall 2023 or later
  • Must have attended full-time in consecutive semesters (no breaks in attendance)
  • Must have earned 30 credits per year and be progressing towards degree within 2 years from start
  • Must be working on a first degree (students with prior AA’s or BA/BS’s are not eligible)

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