**Spring 2026 Excelsior Scholarship Application Opens December 17, 2025**

Eligible students starting college in the spring 2026 term, or those who hadn't applied in fall may qualify for free tuition at state-operated SUNY or CUNY colleges through the Excelsior Scholarship.

Excelsior Deadline: Feb 3, 2026

Other Applications Open for 2026-27:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
• NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program

College Application Fees Waived!
Students across the state can still apply to colleges and universities for free! 

• CUNY offers free applications through November 21.
• Many private colleges and universities offer application waivers throughout November, with some offering fee waivers year-round!

Applications Open for 2026-27:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
• NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program

👉View all opportunities

November Events
HESC is hosting over a dozen virtual and in-person events throughout the month of November to assist students, families, and school counselors in completing their college and financial aid applications: 

Recurring Events:  

• Senior Year: Navigating College Financial Aid – November 10, 17 at 6p
• Creating Your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account – November 18 at 4p
• Como crear su cuenta StudentAid.gov (La credencial FSA ID) - November 6, 20 at 4p
• Virtual Drop-In Lounge – November 12, 19 at 2p
• DREAM Act & Alternative Pathway Support Session - November 19, 12-1:30p

Get Help Applying 

• HESC/uAspire FAFSA/TAP Completion Event - November 13, 4-5:30p
• HESC FAFSA/TAP Completion Event - November 24, 4-5:30p

Planning for College: 

• What Are Special and Unusual Circumstances When Completing the FAFSA Presentation – November 6p
• College Financial Aid for Veterans and their Dependents Panel - November 6, 6p
• From Middle School to College: Skills That Set Students Up for the Future – November 17, 6p
• Exploring Job Training and Other Pathways after High School Panel – November 20, 6p

NYS Financial Aid Spotlights: 

• NYS STEM Incentive Program Presentation – November 18, 6p
• Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) Presentation - November 19, 6p

👉 View all HESC events 

Resources
Share these tools to help students, families, counselors, and financial aid professionals stay informed:

• FAFSA Ready Training (FRT) – Training & toolkits built for counselors and financial aid professionals to get up-to-date information to better help their students. 

• HESC Text – Students and families can receive texts with key financial aid updates, deadlines, and more to help them maximize their financial aid.

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