NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Check datesRenews each year
$500 or $1,500 a year for top NY high school graduates, nominated by their high school
- How much
- $500 or $1,500 per year
- Who qualifies
- Graduate of a NYS high school, selected by the high school (usually by weighted Regents exam scores). Full-time at a NYS college or university (not trade schools). Legal NYS resident 12 continuous months.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
- When to apply
- Check dates Annual; high schools nominate seniors (selection criteria published by Sept 30 of senior year); check with your high school for dates
- How to apply
- Talk to your high school counselor
- High schools nominate students using published selection criteria
- Complete the FAFSA and TAP application (or NYS DREAM Act application) each year for payment
- What you'll need
- school nomination + FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (hesc.ny.gov) and page 2
The details
$500 or $1,500 per year based on high school performance (Regents exams), for students attending a public or private college in NYS full-time. Students are nominated by their high schools; there is no direct application. Renewable for up to 4 years of undergraduate study (5 in approved 5-year programs). Per NYSED's 2025 FAQ: 8,000 awards (2,000 at $1,500 and 6,000 at $500), pending state appropriation; cannot be used at trade schools.
More money from New York
- Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA)Up to $6,000 for tuition expenses
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)$1,000 to $5,665
- Excelsior ScholarshipCovers tuition at SUNY/CUNY (last-dollar, after other aid)
- Non-degree Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)Prorated TAP award based on credits and actual tuition
- Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (Part-Time TAP)Prorated share of TAP ($1,000 to $5,665 full-time range) based on credits
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.