NYS Memorial Scholarship

Deadline & Application Award Eligibility Help & Resources

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.

  • Covers cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY or the actual cost of attendance, whichever is less. 

  • Be a child, spouse or financial dependent of deceased firefighter, volunteer firefighter, police officer (including NYS Correction Officers), or emergency medical service worker who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York

  • Be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program of study

  • Be enrolled in full-time study (12 or more credits per term)

Deadline & Application

Deadline

A NYS Memorial Scholarship Web Supplement must be submitted with application.

Complete the FAFSAApply for TAP

If more than one member of a family applies for the NYS Memorial Scholarship award, each family member must submit a separate supplement.

HESC makes payments to schools upon certification of eligibility and submission of appropriate financial aid applications.

Award

Amount

Covers average cost of attendance, not to exceed the average cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY or the actual cost of attendance, whichever is less.

Receipt of other grants and scholarships may reduce the award. The total of all aid received cannot be greater than the student's cost of attendance determined for federal Title IV student financial aid purposes.

 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.

Frequency

Annual

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

Duration

Dependent on the length of program

  • 2 years for students pursuing associates degree full-time.
  • 4 years for students pursuing bachelor’s degree full-time
  • 5 years for approved five-year degree programs

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

Undocumented and other immigrant students: before submitting your Excelsior Scholarship application, apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act.

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

  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.

Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application.

  • Be a child, spouse or financial dependent of deceased firefighter, volunteer firefighter, police officer (including NYS Correction Officers), or emergency medical service worker who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York

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

  • Enrolled full-time taking 12 or more credits per applicable toward their degree program.
  • Matriculated in an approved program of study.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Study at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State.

There are no income limits for this Scholarship.

Financial Status

To receive the Scholarship, you must:

  • 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, 
  • Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with qualified disabilities who attend less than full-time must register with their college office for students with disabilities. 

Learn more.

Help & Resources

Have Questions?

Schedule a Call.

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

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