NYC & NYS College Support Spotlight

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but families in New York have unique opportunities that don’t exist elsewhere. In addition to federal aid unlocked by the FAFSA, local and state programs can provide scholarships, grants, tuition support, and even starter savings accounts to help cover costs. The resources below bring together some of the most impactful options so New Yorkers have a single reference point.

This spotlight is designed as a practical guide. Each entry includes a short description, eligibility basics, and a direct link to the official program site so you can quickly explore further or begin an application. These opportunities can add up to thousands of dollars in support. Be sure to check deadlines, eligibility rules, and application steps, and revisit this sheet each year—program requirements and income thresholds often change.

How to Use This Spotlight

1. Start with FAFSA. Nearly all these state and local programs require FAFSA completion to determine eligibility.
   
   
2. Check deadlines & eligibility. Many NYS programs require specific income thresholds, credit requirements, residency, etc. Program rules, income thresholds, and application windows can change annually.
   
   
3. Click through the links. The URLs below take you directly to the source pages where you can apply or get full instructions.

‍

NYC Programs & Resources

NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program

A program that gives NYC public school students an automatic NYC Scholarship Account with $100 and simple ways to grow it over time. The program supports college and career training for NYC public school students regardless of family income or immigration status. For 2025–26, kindergarten through fourth grade students in NYC Public Schools, including participating charter schools, are eligible via automatic enrollment with an opt‑out option.

Eligibility: In 2025–26, K–4 students in NYC Public Schools, including participating charter schools, are automatically enrolled and receive $100 in an NYC Scholarship Account unless families opt out.

Money and aid: Scholarship funds are invested in the NY 529 Direct Plan and can be used for qualified higher-education expenses. Because NYC Kids RISE owns the scholarship account, it has little effect on financial aid while funds remain in the account.

Earn more: Families earn $25 for activating, $25 for opening and connecting their own savings account, $25 for making the first $5 deposit, and can receive a dollar‑for‑dollar match up to $100 starting in first grade. Bonuses are one-time incentives, per child.

Take action: Activate your account and earn an addition $25 here - https://nyckidsrise.org/get-started/activate-account/

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers

NYC’s Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) offer free, one‑on‑one help with college planning, debt, credit, budgeting, and safe banking from trained counselors in person or remotely.

Eligibility: Anyone 18 or older who lives in or works for NYC can use FECs. Income and immigration status do not affect access.

Take Action: book online at nyc.gov/TalkMoney or call 311 and ask for “financial counseling” to schedule the next available appointment; the Talk Money portal confirms appointment details by email.

New York State Programs & Scholarships

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Up to $5,665 need-based grant for NY residents to help cover tuition expenses. Students apply annually via the FAFSA and a state application; full‑time and part‑time versions follow different rules and award calculations.

Eligibility: Meet NYS income limits (commonly up to 125,000 dollars for dependents/independents with dependents; lower thresholds for other categories) and file FAFSA + NYS TAP each year by the deadline and maintain good grades. 

Take action:  https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/tuition-assistance-program-tap

Excelsior Scholarship

A last‑dollar scholarship that pays remaining SUNY/CUNY tuition after other federal and state scholarships are applied, enabling tuition‑free attendance for New Yorkers who meet income, enrollment, and residency rules.

Eligibility: Household adjusted gross income must be at or below $125,000 under current guidelines to qualify. Requires full-time enrollment, credit/continuation rules, and a commitment to live/work in NY after graduation. Students file the FAFSA and NYS TAP each year, then submit the separate Excelsior application when the state opens the window. 

Take action: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program

Other NY Scholarships & Incentives

• Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA): Students from families earning $125,000 or less can qualify for up to $6,000 in tuition assistance at participating private colleges in New York State.
• NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program: Tuition award for students who graduate in the top 10% of their NYS high school class & pursue a degree in STEM at SUNY or CUNY.
• Aid for Part-Time Study: Tuition award for part-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree at participating NYS colleges.
• Part-Time Scholarship: Students attending a SUNY or CUNY community college can receive an award that covers up to the cost of six credit hours per term.
• Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship: Up to $20,000 per year for registered nurses licensed in NYS pursuing a graduate degree that leads to a career of nursing or adjunct clinical faculty.
• NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program: Scholarship for full-time undergraduate or graduate students in approved programs at CUNY, SUNY, or private colleges pursuing careers as math and science teachers in secondary education (grades 7-12)
• NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence: Awards scholarships of $500 and $1500 per year to students achieving academic excellence while in high school
• NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship: Scholarships for employees of NYS-licensed child welfare agencies to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree to enhance their skills as a child welfare worker.
• Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship: Scholarship for students pursuing a master's degree in education at SUNY or CUNY who agree to teach in NYS for five years after graduation.
• Veterans Tuition Award: Tuition Award for veterans with at least four years of active duty service and combat veterans pursuing an undergraduate, graduate degree or vocational training program.
• NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans: Scholarships for students whose parent served in the U.S. Armed Forces during designated periods of war or national emergencies and as a result have passed, become disabled, are missing in action, or were taken as a prisoner of war.
• Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive & Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship: Scholarships available to members of U.S. Armed Forces and their children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state-organized militia who died or became disabled performing their military duties.
• World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship: Scholarship for children, spouses, and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
• NYS Memorial Scholarship: Scholarship for children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers (including NYS Correction Officers), and emergency medical service workers who have died on the job.
• Aid to Native Americans: Grant for enrolled members of a New York State tribe or their children.‍
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: Education award for NYS residents who successfully complete a term of service with an approved AmeriCorps program.