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<p>The application for the <strong>New York State Excelsior Scholarship</strong> is now open. </p>
<p><strong>Please carefully read the eligibility guidelines and FAQs before submitting the application!</strong> Excelsior is a much more complicated program than students and families initially suspect, with explicit limitations; media and other outlets referring to Excelsior as "free college" are grossly misleading. </p>
<p>Some important points to note:</p>
<p>-Excelsior can ONLY be used for tuition costs, NOT room, board, or other college expenses</p>
<p>-Excelsior recipients will have a resulting obligation to live and work in New York State after graduation</p>
<p>Again, carefully read the <a href="https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship.html">eligibility guidelines</a> and <a href="https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship/excelsior-scholarship-faqs.html">FAQs</a> before applying. The application itself can be found<a href="https://www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior/"> here</a><a href="https://webapps.hesc.ny.gov/questionnaire/page.hesc?questionnaireId=58&versionNumber=3">.</a></p>
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