NYS STEM Incentive Program

NYS STEM Incentive Program is sponsored by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to New York State residents attending a public or private degree-granting college or university in New York State.

NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program | HESC NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program Tuition award for students who graduate in the top 10% of their NYS high school class & pursue a degree in STEM at SUNY or CUNY. Be in the top 10.

0% of your NYS high school graduating class Must apply in your high school senior year Attend a SUNY or CUNY college immediately following high school graduation Pursue a degree in an approved STEM program of study Enrolled in full-time study (at least 12 credits per term) Live in NYS and work in an approved STEM occupation for five years For the 2026-27 Academic Year Be sure to complete your FAFSA before you apply for TAP.

Complete the FAFSA Apply for TAP Covers tuition expenses at a SUNY or CUNY college. Award is equal to the undergraduate resident tuition rate at a SUNY state-operated campus or actual tuition, whichever is less. Awards are reduced by the amount of other tuition assistance awards received, such as NYS TAP.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition at a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college.

Applicants seeking to apply for the NYS Excelsior scholarship OR the NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program scholarship OR the NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program scholarship should carefully review the requirements for all programs, including post-graduation requirements, and determine which scholarship they may be eligible and will apply for, and upon eligibility notification, will accept by completing a service agreement.

Applicants are not eligible to receive more than one full tuition-based scholarship in an academic year. * Tuition does not include other components of the cost of education, such as fees.

Dependent on the length of program* 4 years of full-time undergraduate study - Includes 2 years for student pursuing an associate’s degree full-time 5 years of full-time undergraduate study in an approved 5-year program * The STEM scholarship can be received for one undergraduate degree, which may include the combination of an associate and bachelor’s degree. 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 the NYS STEM Award.

Citizenship & NYS Residency 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 . Must be a graduate from a high school located in NYS and be ranked within the top 10 percent of your high school graduating class. Please note: Your class rank must be at or better than 10.

0 percent. This means a rank of 10. 0 percent or lower qualifies (for example, 9.

8 percent). A rank above 10. 0 percent does not qualify.

Therefore, a class ranking of 10. 4 percent would make you ineligible. Must enroll in college beginning in the fall term immediately following graduation.

Please note: An applicant must apply and be selected for this program for the fall term immediately following his or her high school graduation. Immediate enrollment may be deferred for circumstances as determined by HESC, including, but not limited to, maternity/paternity leave, death of a family member, or military duty. Once in college, you must meet the following requirements: Be in good academic standing.

Be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program leading to a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics at a public college located in NYS. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2. 5 or higher.

Be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits per semester in your program of study). Post Graduation Requirements Recipients must agree to reside in New York State for five years and be employed in an approved STEM occupation .

If you move out of New York State before you complete your residency and work commitments, the sum of all of your STEM Incentive program awards 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 undergraduate Direct Unsubsidized Loans at the time the Service Contract is signed.

For more detailed information, please review the NYS STEM Incentive 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. Frequently Asked Questions 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