Excelsior Scholarship Requirements for Students 2023

Excelsior Scholarship is a program designed to provide tuition-free education for eligible students at public colleges and universities. While it may seem like an opportunity too good to pass up, it’s important to understand the Excelsior Scholarship requirements before applying. We’ll break down the eligibility criteria and requirements for this scholarship.

Excelsior Scholarship Requirements

Before you apply for the Excelsior scholarship, you need to be abreast of the requirements that are needed.

They include:

1. Residency Requirement

You must be a resident of New York to be qualified for the Excelsior Scholarship.

This means that you should complete at least a 12-month stay in New York before a new academic year.

Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or have a qualifying immigration status.

2. Income Requirement

One of the main requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship is income.

To be eligible, you must come from a household with a combined federal-adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less.

This means that both the student’s and their family’s income will be considered in the eligibility determination.

It’s important to note that this income limit is subject to change and may vary from year to year.

3. Academic Requirement

To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, you must enroll in a degree program at a public college or university in New York State.

Also, you must maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) to remain eligible.

Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to receive the scholarship.

4. Credit Requirement

Another important requirement for the Excelsior Scholarship is credit completion.

For you to remain eligible, you must complete at least 30 credits per academic year.

This includes both the fall and spring semesters.

However, this requirement applies to both full-time and part-time students.

Students who fail to meet the credit requirement may lose their eligibility for the scholarship.

5. Community Service Requirement

The Excelsior Scholarship also requires students to complete community service in order to remain eligible.

Specifically, students must complete 30 hours of community service per academic year.

This can include several activities, such as volunteer work, internships, or service-learning projects.

Application Process for the Excelsior Scholarship

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Excelsior Scholarship, the next step is to apply.

The application process usually begins in the spring.

Meanwhile, only eligible students can apply through the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website.

The application requires information about the student’s academic record, income, and residency status.

It also requires supporting documentation such as tax returns and proof of residency.

However, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements before applying.

By understanding these requirements, you can take advantage of this valuable program and achieve your educational goals.