How is your Excelsior Award Calculated?

The Excelsior Scholarship amount is based upon the full time SUNY tuition rate in 2022/2023 ($3,535/semester).

The goal of the Excelsior Scholarship is to cover up to $5,500 of tuition charges AFTER all other grants and scholarships have paid toward this charge. Since NY State Tuition is higher than $5,500, an Excelsior Tuition Credit* may be added to your awards after your Excelsior Scholarship amount is calculated. 

Step One: Assess grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition

We assess whether you qualify for an Excelsior Scholarship amount greater than zero.

The academic term sum of all grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition is calculated, if this is greater than $3,535 (22/23 tuition rate/academic term) you will not qualify for a dollar amount that term. 

If you qualify for a dollar amount, then the Sum of grants and scholarships + Excelsior Scholarship + Excelsior Tuition Credit = $3,535 (22/23 tuition rate/academic term)

Step Two: Your Excelsior Scholarship (maximum value $2,750/term)

Calculated Excelsior Scholarship = $3,535 (22/23 tuition rate/academic term) - sum of all grants and scholarships eligible to pay tuition

Step Three: Your Excelsior Tuition Credit

If your Calculated Excelsior Scholarship is $2,750, we will determine if you are eligible for an additional amount to cover the 22/23 tuition rate.

Excelsior Tuition Credit = $3,535 (22/23 tuition rate/academic term) – Maximum Excelsior award($2,750/term) - sum of grants, scholarships 

 

Examples for how Excelsior Scholarship amount is calculated each semester:

Calculation (Semester)	Full Excelsior Scholarship (Semester)	Partial Excelsior Scholarship (Semester)	Excelsior Scholarship = $0 (Semester)
Tuition (22/23Rate)	$3,535	$3,535	$3,535
Pell Grant	-$0	- $1,500	- $1,635
TAP	-$0	-$500	-$800
SB Scholarship	-$0	-$1,000	-$1,000
External Scholarship	-$0	-$100	-$100
Remaining Tuition Balance	$3,535	$435	$0
Excelsior Scholarship	-$2,750	-$435	-$0
Remaining Tuition Balance	$785	$0	$0
Excelsior Tuition Credit*	-$785	-$0	-$0
Tuition Balance	$0	$0	$0

 

* The Excelsior Tuition Credit is an institutional credit. This credit is limited to Excelsior Scholarship recipients receiving the maximum Excelsior award ($2,750/semester).

Notes: (1) Excelsior does not cover fees, room, or board. (2) If an Excelsior Scholarship is not awarded, tuition is charged at the current year rate. (3) Student loans and college work study are not deducted from the 2012-2013 annual tuition. (4) Excelsior Scholarship recipients must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits (AP credits may be used to make up credits). Please review Excelsior Scholarship requirements at www.hesc.ny.gov.