New York scholarships and grants
Every program the state of New York runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Show service scholarships (5) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
$1,000 to $5,665New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Open now · due June 30, 2027NY's main need-based grant: $1,000 to $5,665 a year for full-time students at approved NYS colleges
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Non-degree Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Prorated TAP award based on credits and actual tuitionNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Open now · due June 30, 2027Prorated TAP for part-time students in non-degree workforce credential programs at SUNY/CUNY
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (Part-Time TAP)
Prorated share of TAP ($1,000 to $5,665 full-time range) based on creditsNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Open now · due June 30, 2027TAP for part-time students (3-11 credits), prorated by credits
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
SUNY and CUNY Reconnect (Free Community College for Adults)
Free tuition, books, supplies and waived fees (last-dollar, after other aid)New York State, via SUNY and CUNY (New York State Opportunity Promise Scholarship)
Apply any timeFree tuition, books, supplies and waived fees for New Yorkers 25-55 without a degree, in high-demand associate programs
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For adults going back to school, students starting college, undergrads
- For high-demand fields: advanced manufacturing, AI, cybersecurity, engineering, nursing/allied health, renewable energy, teaching shortage areas, technology students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence
$500 or $1,500 per yearNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Check dates$500 or $1,500 a year for top NY high school graduates, nominated by their high school
- What it takes: school nomination + FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA)
Up to $6,000 for tuition expensesNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Opens laterUp to $6,000 a year toward tuition at participating private NYS colleges
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Usual timing: Annual new-applicant window announced each spring, alongside Excelsior (2026-27 closed Aug 31, 2026)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Excelsior Scholarship
Covers tuition at SUNY/CUNY (last-dollar, after other aid)New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Opens laterLast-dollar award covering remaining tuition at SUNY/CUNY for families earning up to $125,000
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Usual timing: Annual new-applicant window announced each spring (2026-27 window opened May 26, 2026 and closed Aug 31, 2026); spring-term windows have also been announced in some years
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans
Up to $450 per yearNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeUp to $450 a year for children of NY veterans who died, were 40%+ disabled, MIA or POW from wartime service
- Who it's for: Child of a wartime veteran who died, has a 40%+ service-connected disability, was MIA, or was a POW
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship
Covers cost of attendance up to the average SUNY state-operated resident undergraduate cost of attendanceNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeCovers college costs up to SUNY rates for dependents of those who died on Continental Flight 3407 (2009)
- Who it's for: Child, spouse or financial dependent of a victim of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 (Feb 12, 2009)
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; NYS DREAM Act students eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship
Covers cost of attendance up to the average SUNY state-operated resident undergraduate cost of attendanceNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeCovers college costs up to SUNY rates for dependents of NY service members killed, MIA or severely disabled on duty, and for disabled service members
- Who it's for: Dependent (child, spouse, financial dependent) of a U.S. Armed Forces or NY state militia member who died or is MIA from duty, or a member severely and permanently disabled on duty
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
NYS Memorial Scholarship
Covers cost of attendance up to the average SUNY state-operated resident undergraduate cost of attendanceNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeCovers college costs up to SUNY rates for families of NY firefighters, police, correction officers and EMS workers who died in the line of duty
- Who it's for: Child, spouse or financial dependent of a firefighter, volunteer firefighter, police officer (incl. NYS correction officer) or EMS worker who died in the line of duty serving NYS
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; non-residents (incl. undocumented) apply via NYS DREAM Act
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)
Covers tuition up to the average SUNY state-operated resident undergraduate tuition, or actual tuition if lessNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeCovers tuition up to SUNY rates for eligible NY veterans, full- or part-time, including vocational programs
- Who it's for: Veteran: 4+ years active duty, or combat/combat-theater service (Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan); National Guard with 4+ years active-duty deployment or combat service; not dishonorably discharged
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship
Covers cost of attendance up to the average SUNY state-operated resident undergraduate cost of attendanceNew York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Apply any timeCovers college costs up to SUNY rates for 9/11 victims' dependents and severely disabled survivors
- Who it's for: 9/11 victim's child, spouse or financial dependent, or a severely and permanently disabled survivor (including rescue/recovery workers)
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; non-residents (incl. undocumented) apply via NYS DREAM Act first
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship
Tuition, fees and non-tuition costs up to SUNY rates, capped at cost of attendance minus other government aid (set by statute)New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Check datesCovers college costs up to SUNY rates for children, spouses and dependents of those who died in the 2001 crash of American Airlines Flight 587
- Who it's for: Child, spouse or financial dependent of a person who died as a direct result of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 (Rockaway, Queens, November 12, 2001)
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
New York State Indian Aid (NYSIA) / Aid to Native Americans
Up to $1,000 per semester (fall, spring, summer) full-time; part-time $85 per credit hourNew York State Education Department, Office of Indigenous Education
Due December 31, 2026Up to $1,000 per semester (fall, spring, summer) for enrolled members of NY tribal nations and their children
- Who it's for: Enrolled member (or child of an enrolled member) of a NYS tribal nation: St. Regis Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca (Allegany, Cattaraugus), Tonawanda Band of Seneca, Tuscarora, Shinnecock, Unkechaug
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP)
Cost of tuition up to SUNY tuition rates per semesterNew York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA)
Due December 15, 2026Pays tuition up to SUNY rates for members of the NY Army/Air National Guard and Naval Militia
- Who it's for: Member of the NY Army National Guard, Air National Guard or Naval Militia in good standing
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.