NYS Excelsior Scholarship

College costs shouldn’t stand in the way of earning a degree. The New York State Excelsior Scholarship covers full tuition for eligible full-time students attending Monroe Community College and other public colleges. Learn more to see if you qualify and how the program works.

 

How the Excelsior Scholarship Works

Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship
The NYS Excelsior Scholarship is a “last dollar” tuition scholarship for students attending SUNY and CUNY schools, like MCC. Grants like the Federal Pell and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) are applied first, and Excelsior covers the remaining tuition balance.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship if you:  

  • Are a New York State resident 
  • Have a household federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less 
  • Plan to enroll full-time (at least 12 credits per term) and stay on track to complete 30 credits per year in your program of study.
  • Understand the post-award requirement to live and work in New York State for the same number of years you receive the scholarship. 

Learn more about Excelsior Eligibility Requirements

How to Apply

To apply for the Excelsior Scholarship, you must:  

  • First apply for FAFSA and NYS TAP
  • Submit your Excelsior application before the deadline. Applications usually close in late August for the Fall Semester and close in early February for the Spring Semester. 

Apply for the Excelsior Scholarship 

 

Have Questions?

The Financial Aid Office is here to help you understand all your aid options, including the Excelsior Scholarship. Call, email, make an appointment, or stop by our office.

Brighton Campus

Location: Building 1, Room 231 
Phone: 585-292-2050 
Fax: 585-292-3840 
Email: financialaid@monroecc.edu 

Office Hours: 
Monday through Thursday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. 
Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Walk-in Hours: 
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Downtown Campus

Location: Student Engagement Center, Floor 3, Room 310 
Phone: 585-292-2050 
Fax: 585-292-3840 
Email: financialaid@monroecc.edu

Office Hours: 
Monday through Thursday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. 
Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. 

Over 940,000 NYS Families Will Qualify

New York State residents will qualify for Excelsior in 2025–26 based on family household adjusted gross income.