Excelsior Scholarship

Act Now to Receive Free Tuition (NYS Excelsior Scholarship)

Fall 2023 Excelsior Scholarship is now open and accepting applications through August 31, 2023.

How to Apply

NOTE: The FAFSA and TAP applications must be completed 5 days prior to the August 31, 2023 closing date to ensure that NYS can process your Excelsior Scholarship application.

Eligibility

  • Family’s 2021 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 2022 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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