Amount

Covers tuition expenses at a SUNY or CUNY college.

• Allows students to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. 

• For 2024-25 academic year, award is equal to the average SUNY tuition rate of $7,070 or actual tuition, whichever is less. 

• Awards are reduced by the amount of any other tuition assistance awards received, such as NYS TAP.

Duration

Dependent on the length of program

• 2 years for students pursuing their associate degree full-time

• 4 years for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree full-time

• 5 years for approved five-year degree programs

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 citizen or eligible noncitizen? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application.

Academic Requirements

• Be ranked in the top 10 percent of your high school graduating class at a New York State high school.

• Must attend college immediately upon graduation.

College & Program - Once in college, you must meet the following requirements: 

• 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.

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, all or part of your award 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 Stafford Unsubsidized Loans at the time the Service Contract is signed.
  For more detailed information, please review the NYS STEM Incentive Program Service Contract.