Financial Aid
EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP - With the passage of the FY 2018 State Budget, New York is now home to the nation's first accessible college program.
Under this groundbreaking program, more than 940,000 middle-class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year will qualify to attend college tuition-free at all CUNY and SUNY two- and four-year colleges in New York State. The new program begins in the fall of 2017 and will be phased in over three years.
In order to apply, students must:
- Be residents of New York State
- Attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year degree program
- Take 30 credits per calendar year (including January and Summer sessions)
- Plan to live and work in New York following graduation for the length of time they participate in the scholarship program
Steps in the financial aid process
September-December of Senior Year
- Start exploring resources regarding financial aid (see resources below).
- As of October 2011, colleges are now required to provide a NET PRICE CALCULATOR to better help families plan for college costs. The net price calculator, located on each college's financial aid webpage provides students and parents an estimate of the total annual cost of attending the college. Click here for SUNY Net Price Calculator as an example: SUNY NET PRICE CALCULATOR
- Attend Financial Aid Night hosted by WSHS. This takes place in the fall each year.
October-November of Senior Year
- Complete the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid): https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center with questions about the FASFA.
- Find out if your colleges require an additional form called the PROFILE.
****Note: The FASFA costs nothing. If you complete what you think is the FASFA, and you have to pay for any part, you are not on the correct website.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME DURING THIS PROCESS, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT YOUR COLLEGE'S FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OR ANY LOCAL COLLEGE'S AID OFFICE. THEY ARE THE EXPERTS AND ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU.
Federal Student Aid Resources
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): 1-800-433-3243 For help with your FSA ID
Student Aid on the Web: https://studentaid.gov/
Your source for free information from the US Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school (who gets aid, types of aid, repaying loans, matching colleges to your financial capabilities).
Manage Loans: https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
Your source for information from the US Department of Education on how to manage student loans.
New York State Student Financial Aid Resources
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/
Manages more than 18 grant, scholarship and loan programs- if you are applying to schools within New York State, check out this loan/tuition assistance program:
TAP (Tuition Assistance Program): https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw/home.do
Part of the NYHELPs program, every student applying to a NYS college should apply.
Planners/Guides/Workshops
SUNY Financial Aid Workshops: https://www.suny.edu/student/event_listing/index.cfm
