NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program

Deadline & Application Award Eligibility Help & Resources

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)

  • The value of the award (for both undergraduates and graduate students) is $3,535 per semester or the actual tuition charged, whichever is less

  • Be a matriculated, undergraduate or graduate full-time student in program that leads to a career as a math or science teacher in secondary education

  • Work in New York State for five years as a math or science teacher in secondary education

Deadline & Application

The NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program is currently closed.

Award

Amount

Covers the cost of tuition, not to exceed the value of resident undergraduate tuition at a SUNY State-operated college

Amount determined by:

  • Awards are granted based on the availability of funds, with priority given to prior recipients. If the number of applications exceeds the available funds, new recipients will be selected based on a ranking of grade level and applicant GPA. 
  • Not available to recipients who are already receiving an NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship.
  • For 2025-26 academic year, the award is equal to $7,070 per year ($3,535 per term) or actual tuition, whichever is less. 
  • The total of all aid received cannot exceed the student's cost of attendance.  If you receive other tuition-based awards, your scholarship will be reduced by that amount. 
  • Award paid at end of academic year.
Frequency

Annual

Must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year for payment.

Any award payment received may have tax implications. Please direct any questions to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Eligibility

Non-New York State residents (including undocumented students): before submitting your Scholarship application, apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act.

There are no income limits for this Scholarship. 

Financial Status

To receive the Scholarship, you must:

  • Not be a recipient of an NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship.
  • Be in good standing (a non-default status) on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award AND
  • Not have a service obligation owed to any other State and/or Federal program.

To receive the scholarship, you must meet the following residency requirements: 

  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • You are a legal resident of New York State and have resided in New York State for 12 continuous months.

Not a legal resident of New York State? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application. 

High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit

  • Graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test.

College & Program

Once in college, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • Full-time undergraduate and/or graduate* student at an approved college in NYS, enrolling in at least 12 credits in the recipient’s program of study. Students with multiple majors must enroll in at least 12 credits in their primary major to maintain eligibility.
  • Matriculated in an approved program that leads to a career as a math or science teacher in secondary education.
  • Return recipients must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • May receive awards up to four years of full-time undergraduate study and one year of graduate study.

*A NYS resident attending an approved NYS college for graduate study is not required to have graduated from a NYS college for their undergraduate degree.

  • Recipients agree to teach full-time for five years, regardless of the number or amount of award payments received, in the field of math or science at a secondary school (grades 7-12) located in New York State.
  • Teaching must commence within two years of completion of the degree program and receipt of initial certification.
  • If you fail to fulfill your service obligation as outlined in the Scholarship Contract, all awards payments made on your behalf will be converted to a 10-year student loan plus interest. Interest rate for the life of the loan shall be fixed and equal to that set annually by the U.S. Department of Education for Federal Direct Loan Program PLUS Parent Loans at the time the Service Contract is signed. 

For more detailed information, please review the NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program Contract.

Help & Resources

Have Questions?

HESC is here to answer your questions or help you with a specific issue. 

Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Request an Appointment

New York State Higher Education

Services Corporation

99 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12255

© Higher Education Services Corporation