FREE TUITION for Eligible New York State Residents
For eligible New York state residents starting a degree program in the Fall 2026 Trimester, your degree can be tuition free!
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re an eligible New York state resident and your household makes $60,000 or less, ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï guarantees you free undergraduate tuition.
Basic Requirements
- Meet income requirements
- Starting an undergraduate degree program at ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï in the Fall 2026 Trimester
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- New York state resident for at least 12 months
You can use federal and state grants to fully cover the cost of tuition and related fees. And if these grants leave a funding gap for these expenses, Excelsior will make up the difference.
Your Education—Without Debt
Earning your degree is a huge step and one that can change the course for your career and your family. At Excelsior, taking on a huge amount of debt to pay for your education doesn’t have to be part of your story.
Excelsior is one of the top 10 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in New York state by enrollment.
How free tuition works
It all starts by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so you can apply for financial aid.
Federal Grants
Funds from the Federal Pell Grant and any other federal grants, as applicable, cover a base layer of tuition costs for eligible students based on financial need.
New York State TAP
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program provides state-funded grants for eligible New York residents.
Excelsior Funds the Rest
ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï will fill any remaining tuition gap after a Pell Grant and TAP are applied. It will also pay for eligible fees.
Excelsior will pay any tuition and tuition-related fees that are not covered by Pell and TAP grants. 100%
It’s not a loan, it’s better way forward and just one more way we’re committed to making higher education accessible to all.
How to Start Your Degree Tuition-Free
Check Your Eligibility
Apply to ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï
Submit your application for admission to ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï. You must be admitted into an associate degree or bachelor’s degree program at Excelsior to receive funding. One of our admissions counselors can help you find the program that’s right for you.
Submit Your FAFSA
Complete the using Excelsior’s school code: 014251. Use the 2026–2027 application to start in Excelsior’s Fall Trimester!
Apply for New York State Financial Aid
Complete the application either through the FAFSA or through the HESC site directly. Use Excelsior’s HESC number: 0999.
What Happens Next
Financial aid isn’t just funding. It’s the bridge between where you are and where you’re meant to be. Our free tuition initiative helps you cross that bridge with confidence — removing cost as a barrier and replacing it with possibility.”
Elizabeth Petroski, Executive Director of Student Financial Services
Don’t Wait —START NOW!
Fall Term courses begin August 31, 2026. Get started today!
FAQ
No. Federal grants, including the and (FSEOG), grants awarded by the , and grants from ÿÈÕ´ó¹Ï do not need to be repaid.
If you are a part-time student, you must take 3–11 credits within a term period and meet the other eligibility requirements for TAP.
If you’ve received TAP before, you must have remaining TAP eligibility (points) that will cover the duration of your degree program.
The TAP Study Plan is a required Excelsior financial aid form that students receive after admission and complete, sign, and upload to confirm planned courses for TAP processing.
Students must maintain good academic standing and achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average to receive TAP.
Funding is based on your current eligibility. To qualify, you must be a dependent student or an independent student with at least one dependent, have an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less, and be eligible for both the Federal Pell Grant and New York State TAP.
You’ll also need to have enough remaining Pell and TAP eligibility to finish your degree.
Pell Grant and TAP funds will be applied to your account first. If there’s still an eligible balance for tuition and fees after that, Excelsior institutional funding may cover the rest.
Final eligibility and award amounts may change based on a review of your financial information, available funding, and state or federal requirements.
