I'm going to start my freshman year in New York soon and need scholarships. What are some scholarships available for incoming freshmen here, and what's the application process like?
You're on the right track seeking financial assistance for your college journey. There are quite a few scholarships available. Some specifically target New York residents, while others have broader eligibility.
1. The Excelsior Scholarship: This program covers the resident tuition rate for eligible in-state students attending SUNY or CUNY schools full-time. It doesn't cover room and board and fees. The application usually opens in the spring.
2. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): This is a need-based grant for New York residents attending a state or private college within New York. You may qualify for up to $5,665 per year. You can apply for TAP through the FAFSA.
3. The New York State Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program: This provides a full SUNY or CUNY tuition scholarship for the top 10 percent of students in each New York high school if they major in a STEM field and work in a STEM field in New York state after graduation.
4. New York American Legion Scholarships: If you're a descendant of a veteran, you may qualify for several scholarships from the American Legion Department of New York.
Remember, the first step for most scholarships, including TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, is to fill out the FAFSA and the TAP application on the HESC (New York's Higher Education Services Corporation) website. It opens December 1st the year before you plan to attend college. Also, keep an eye on deadlines for each scholarship, they can vary.
For outside scholarships not tied to New York, some good platforms to search are Appily, Fastweb, and Scholarship.com. You can filter based on your needs and qualifications to find the most suitable ones. Just remember to be patient, as it can be time-consuming but well worth it. Good luck with your scholarship search!
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