I'm a junior considering Hudson Valley Community College and heard about the Excelsior Scholarship. Can someone explain what the eligibility requirements are and how I might apply for it? Any personal experiences would be super helpful!
The Excelsior Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for New York residents attending a SUNY or CUNY college, such as Hudson Valley Community College! This program, administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), can cover tuition costs for eligible students.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Residency: You must have lived in New York State for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the term and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
2. Income: Your family’s federal adjusted gross income can't exceed $125,000 for tax year 2023 if you plan to start college in academic year 2024-25.
3. College credit requirements: You must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (including Summer and January terms). Bear in mind that AP or IB credits earned in high school can be applied towards this 30 credit/year requirement.
4. Program completion: Generally, you must be on track to complete an Associate's degree in two years or Bachelor’s degree in four years.
5. After graduation: After receiving the Excelsior Scholarship, you must live in New York state for the length of time you received the scholarship. For instance, if you got the scholarship for two years, you'd need to live in New York for two years after graduating. If you don't meet this requirement, the scholarship turns into a loan that you have to repay.
To apply, you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application, and the Excelsior Scholarship application.
Each year, the Excelsior Scholarship application usually becomes available in late spring, but it's always a good idea to confirm the deadline on the HESC website.
While I don't have personal experiences with this process, I've seen many students benefit greatly from the Excelsior Scholarship. Remember, meeting the requirements does not guarantee receiving the scholarship as it is based on the availability of funds, so apply early to increase your chances. Good luck with your application process!
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