Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program

Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program is sponsored by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). This scholarship is for students pursuing a master's degree in education who agree to teach in New York State for five years after graduation. Starting in 2026-27, students at NYS private colleges are eligible.

Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship | HESC Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Scholarship for students pursuing a master's degree in education who agree to teach in New York State for five years after graduation. Currently available at SUNY and CUNY institutions. Starting in 2026-27, students at NYS private colleges are eligible.

Receive up to $5,655 per semester Be a matriculated graduate student in an approved education program at a New York State college that leads to certification as a public elementary or secondary education teacher Enrolled in full-time study Must have earned an undergraduate degree from a college located in NYS Live in New York State and agree to teach for five years at a NYS public elementary or secondary school The Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program application is now closed.

Covers the cost of tuition, not to exceed the value of resident graduate tuition at a SUNY State-operated college. 500 awards granted to new recipients annually. Awards are made based on available funding.

Not available to recipients who are already receiving a NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program The award covers the cost of graduate tuition at a state-operated SUNY college ($5,655 per semester for 2026-27) or actual tuition charged, 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.

Must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year for payment. Maximum of four semester payments, or its equivalent, for full-time graduate study. Award can be received for only one master's degree program.

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

Income & Financial Requirements There are no income limits for this Scholarship. 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, and Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received.

Citizenship & NYS Residency Requirements 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 . Once in college, you must meet the following requirements: Received an undergraduate degree from a college/university located in NYS and have been a NYS resident while earning this degree.

Students in a joint bachelor/masters degree who do not earn an undergraduate degree before starting the graduate degree portion of the joint program will not be eligible for the scholarship. Earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3. 5 or higher upon completion of your undergraduate study.

Enrolled full-time in an approved master’s degree in education program at a New York State college that leads to a certification as a public elementary or secondary education teacher. A recipient may complete fewer credits than required for full-time study if he or she is in their last term and fewer credit hours are necessary to complete their degree program. Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.

5 or higher each term of graduate study. Post Graduation Requirements Recipients must agree to teach full-time for five years, regardless of the number or amount of award payments received, in a classroom at a public elementary or secondary school, including charter schools, located in NYS. Teaching must commence within two years of completion of your graduate degree program.

If you fail to fulfill your service obligation as outlined in the Scholarship Contract, all award payments made on your behalf will convert 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 undergraduate Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans at the time the Service Contract is signed.

For more detailed information, please review the NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program Service Contract Students with Disabilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with disabilities can take longer to complete their associate degree or bachelor’s degree if their disability requires them to attend less than full-time or if they need to pause their studies due to their disability.

Learn more about your rights under the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. HESC is here to answer your questions or help you with a specific issue. Call 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372) to speak with our representatives.

Representatives are available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). New York State Higher Education