Excelsior Scholarship

Students attending SUNY or CUNY colleges who meet certain financial, academic, and residency requirements may also be eligible for New York's Excelsior Scholarship program. The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows eligible full-time students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. 

As a recipient of the Excelsior Scholarship at Tompkins Cortland Community College, there are things that qualify you initially for the scholarship, but there are things you will need to do to continue to receive an award and maintain your eligibility. 

The requirements below should be a guide when talking to your advisor and registering for classes to ensure you will receive an award and maintain eligibility going forward.  

  • Be sure to enroll in at least 12 credits applicable toward your degree per term and earn at least 30 credits applicable toward your degree per year. Support courses DO NOT count (such as MATH017/020/029/098, ENGL098, etc.).  
  • For those who may have transferred to Tompkins Cortland Community College from another college, you will need to have earned at least 30 credits applicable toward your degree each year (continuously enrolled) prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship at Tompkins Cortland Community College. 
  • Credits earned during a summer or winter term (as well as college credits earned while in high school) will count towards the 30-credit per year requirement. However, there is NO Excelsior award during these sessions.  
  • If the 30-credit requirement is not met before the 365-day limit, then no award will be applied and there will be a loss of eligibility going forward. 
  • ADA students are not required to meet the 12-credit per term minimum or the 30-credit per year requirement but will need to earn credits in ALL classes registered for from the start of classes. If the student drops or withdraws after the start of classes, the student will not receive an award and will lose eligibility going forward. Students must be registered with Access & Equity Services for ADA eligibility.  

*** Be sure to notify your adviser that you are an Excelsior Scholarship recipient when registering for classes. *** 

More information about the Excelsior Scholarship can be found at NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - Excelsior Scholarship FAQs 

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Financial Aid office at AID@tompkinscortand.edu.