How is your Excelsior Award Calculated?

The Excelsior Scholarship amount is based upon the current full time SUNY tuition rate.

The goal of the Excelsior Scholarship (effective for the 2025/2026 year) is to cover up to $7,070/year of tuition charges AFTER all other grants and scholarships have paid toward this charge.

Step One: Assess grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition

We assess whether you qualify for an Excelsior Scholarship amount greater than zero.

The academic term sum of all grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition is calculated. If this is greater than $3,535 (current tuition rate/academic term) you will not qualify for a dollar amount that term. 

If you qualify for a dollar amount, then the Sum of grants and scholarships + Excelsior Scholarship  = $3,535  (current tuition rate/academic term)

Step Two: Your Excelsior Scholarship (maximum value $3,535/term)

Calculated Excelsior Scholarship = $3,535 (tuition rate/academic term) - sum of all grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition

Examples for how Excelsior Scholarship amount is calculated each semester:

Calculation (Semester)	Full Excelsior Scholarship (Semester)	Partial Excelsior Scholarship (Semester)	Excelsior Scholarship = $0 (Semester)
Tuition	$3,535	$3,535	$3,535
Pell Grant	-$0	- $1,500	- $1,635
TAP	-$0	-$500	-$800
SB Scholarship	-$0	-$1,000	-$1,000
External Scholarship	-$0	-$100	-$100
Remaining Tuition Balance	$3,535	$435	$0
Excelsior Scholarship	-$3,535	-$435	-$0
Remaining Tuition Balance	$0	$0	$0

 

Notes: (1) Excelsior does not cover fees, room, or board.  (2) Student loans and college work study are not deducted from award calculation. (3) Excelsior Scholarship recipients must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits (AP credits may be used to make up credits). Please review Excelsior Scholarship requirements at www.hesc.ny.gov.