Tuition Free Program

The program covers tuition for eligible Nassau Community College students.

The program does not cover the other costs of college, which include but are not limited to fees, transportation, textbooks, and more.

The program will be phased in over three years, beginning in Fall 2017. It would first apply to families who earn $100,000 or less, then to those who earn $110,000 or less in 2018, and eventually reaching $125,000 or less in 2019. The income calculation is based on federal adjusted gross income, as reported on federal income tax forms, for the student and their family.

Gross adjusted income is calculated through federal or state tax forms. Students will use the income listed for the 2021-22 FAFSA application, from their 2019 tax form.

Residency requirements are the same as requirements for other New York State financial aid programs.

Nassau Community College encourages all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which is used to determine eligibility for federal and New York State (NYS) financial aid programs, including the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

To better understand the costs of college and begin filling out the FAFSA form, please visit SUNY Smart Track Website for High School Students and Families.

Information specific to TAP and other NYS Grants and Scholarships can be found at hesc.ny.gov.

Students that meet the criteria of earning 30 credits toward their degree program in their first academic year are eligible for the scholarship the following academic year.  Students are only allowed to receive four consecutive semesters of Excelsior at a Community College.

Yes

Yes. Students must be enrolled in college full-time and average 30 credits per year (including Summer and January semesters) in order to receive the funding, however, the program has built in flexibility so that any student facing hardship is able to pause and restart the program, or take fewer credits one semester than another. This requirement on students will encourage on-time degree completion.

Yes. As with the TAP grants, students with disabilities will not be required to register full-time to be eligible for the scholarship. However, they  must successfully complete all courses they enroll in each semester.

Application process: HESC is developing an application for the Excelsior scholarship. Students applying for this scholarship must also complete the FAFSA and TAP applications.

The Excelsior program application procedures and regulations will be developed and managed by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).