Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) FAQs

Yes, you must complete the FAFSA and TAP application (aka NYS Payment application) or NYS DREAM Act application each year in order to receive payment for the SAE scholarship. 

The SAE scholarship requires recipients to enroll full-time (at least 12 credits) in their program of study each semester. An SAE student who is enrolled less than full-time in their last semester because they do not need full-time credits to graduate may apply for a full-time waiver with your college. Your college will determine whether you meet the requirements for this waiver.

SAE recipients who wish to delay enrollment at a NYS college after high school graduation and who are not attending an out-of-state institution in the same year may postpone the SAE award for one year to be used at a NYS college in the fall of the following academic year. A recipient seeking postponement must contact HESC in writing with this request prior to the start of the fall term following graduation from high school. Failure to enroll after the approved postponement period will result in forfeiture of the award.

Your SAE scholarship does not impact your TAP award; however, it may affect other awards such as the Excelsior Scholarship and full cost of attendance scholarships. The combination of all awards cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

SAE recipients cannot receive an award for a winter term. To be eligible for a summer award, also known as an accelerated study award, a recipient must earn 24 credits in the prior two semesters (or prior three trimesters) and be full-time in the term preceding the accelerated study term (spring term).

No, you are no longer eligible for the SAE scholarship once you matriculate at a college outside of NYS. You cannot regain eligibility by enrolling in a NYS college later. 

For more information, visit the New York State Education Department's SAE webpage.