Excelsior Scholarship

New York became the first state in the nation to offer free tuition to its public universities. The Excelsior Scholarship was announced in April 2017 by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to ensure that “the dream of opportunity is for everyone.” Former CUNY Chancellor James Milliken noted that it “will enable many New York State residents to attend a CUNY college tuition-free and establish a national model broadening access to higher education.”

The scholarship will be available in Spring 2025 to John Jay College students who meet the following criteria:

The Excelsior Scholarship will be applied to each qualifying student’s financial aid package after all other aid, including TAP, Pell, City Council Scholarship, college scholarships, and other grants or scholarships are applied. Students MUST complete the FAFSA and TAP applications BEFORE they can apply for the Excelsior Scholarship.

Students can learn more about the Excelsior Scholarship and apply for the scholarship at the NY State’s HESC site.

The Spring 2025 application is open to students first entering college in the Spring 2025 term, students who caught up on credits during the Fall 2024 term to meet the credit requirement, and current college students who missed the deadline for the Fall 2024 application.

Current Excelsior Scholarship recipients should not complete this application. For students who first received an award in Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Fall 2024, eligibility is extended upon confirmation of 30 applicable credits earned per year. Renewal of FAFSA and TAP applications is required. Students must not have break in enrollment.

Spring 2025 Deadline: February 3, 2025

For information from CUNY about this scholarship, click here

Contact Us

The Financial Aid Office

Mailing Address 
524 West 59th Street
BMW, 607
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-663-7867
E-mail: financialaid@jjay.cuny.edu