Excelsior Scholarship 2027 for International Students
Applications are now open for the Excelsior Scholarship 2027 in the United States. This scholarship opportunity is available to eligible U.S. students and certain qualifying non-U.S. students who meet the program requirements. It provides financial assistance for students who wish to attend college in New York State without facing the full burden of tuition expenses.
The Excelsior Scholarship Program is a state-funded initiative designed to make higher education more affordable. After students apply for available federal and state financial aid programs, the scholarship helps cover remaining tuition costs, allowing many recipients to significantly reduce or even eliminate their tuition expenses while pursuing a college degree in New York.
The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) administers the Excelsior Scholarship, a financial aid program funded by New York State. The scholarship allows eligible students from households earning up to $125,000 annually to attend participating institutions within the State University of New York and City University of New York systems without paying tuition. The initiative is designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable for middle-class families.
As college costs continue to rise globally, programs such as the Excelsior Scholarship Program play an important role in reducing the financial burden of higher education. Students who choose to attend participating private colleges may also benefit from additional state support through the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA), expanding access to affordable education options across New York.
According to Kathy Hochul, the continued availability of the Excelsior Scholarship and the Enhanced Tuition Award reflects New York State’s commitment to ensuring that higher education remains a pathway to opportunity rather than a source of financial hardship. These programs help qualified students receive tuition assistance while supporting the development of a skilled and educated future workforce.
Excelsior Scholarship 2027 Details
| Offered by: | Governor NY |
| Degree Level: | Bachelor’s & Associate Programs |
| Scholarship coverage: | Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | United States |
| Last date: | 31 August 2026 |
Financial benefits
Excelsior Scholarship:
- Complete tuition reimbursement at qualified SUNY schools.
- Complete tuition reimbursement at qualified CUNY schools.
- Less reliance on student debt.
- Access to degree programs longer than two and four years.
- Chance to finish undergraduate studies at a substantially reduced cost.
- Financial aid provided by the state during qualified study periods.
Enhanced Tuition Award:
- Up to $6,000 a year for educational costs for private college students.
- Funding for education at private universities that participate.
- Lower out-of-pocket educational expenses.
- More freedom to select the institution of your choice
Available Study Fields & Programs
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Economics
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Biological Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Communication Studies
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Data Science
- Liberal Arts Programs
- The Excelsior Scholarship structure is applicable to both associate’s and bachelor’s degree routes.
Eligibility Criteria
Excelsior Scholarship:
- Household Income Requirement: Candidates must be from households earning $125,000 or less annually in federal adjusted gross income.
- Academic prerequisites: Students need to:
- Enroll in a two-year or four-year SUNY or CUNY school.
- Become a full-time student.
- Finish at least thirty credits per year.
- Summer and winter session credits are eligible for inclusion.
- Stay on track to graduate:
- An associate’s degree takes two years.
- A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete.
Enhanced Tuition Award:
Applicants must be:
- Be a citizen of the United States or a qualified non-citizen.
- Live in New York State for a minimum of 12 months before beginning your studies.
- Enroll in one of the participating private colleges in New York State.
- Have a household income of no more than $125,000.
- Finish a minimum of thirty credits per school year.
- consent to spend the same number of years living and working in New York State after receiving the award.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship and ETA 2027 in USA for national and international students is 31st August 2026.
How to Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship?
- The application window is already open for students who intend to start or continue their studies during the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Applicants must apply online for these scholarships.
