ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®

Skip to main content
Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services

Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services

Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE)

The Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) provide high school students that are the top student(s) in their respective high school at the end of their junior year with a scholarship to attend an institution of higher education located in New York State.Ìý

General questions regarding Scholarships for Academic Excellence may be emailed toÌýSCHOLAR@nysed.gov.

SAE scholarship nominations will be accepted throughÌýÌýonly.Ìý This new online process discontinues the paper form and will increase the efficiency and management of this vital scholarship program for the students receiving the award. ÌýAny questions on SAE, its survey, or submission may be sent via email toÌýscholar@nysed.gov.

The deadline for submission isÌýFebruary 26, 2027
Ìý

Pending the appropriation of funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget, 8,000 scholarships will be awarded.Ìý Of the 8,000 scholarships, 2,000 scholarships will have a value of $1,500 each and 6,000 scholarships will have a value of $500 each.

Ìý

Eligibility

This is very important...

The SAE information, including the individual application forms, must be completed by the appropriate school building leader, and not by individual students.

We ask that you provide student’s legal name and accurate personal information. Providing inaccurate student information (e.g., nicknames, misspelled names, an incorrect date of birth) will lead to award delays and can even result in the student not receiving an award. The information that you provide is used to match records between HESC and SED resources, so please ensure that you’re providing accurate information. This will ensure your student nominee(s) receive the scholarship they’ve been nominated for as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

  • Scholarship winners must attend a college or university (SAE’s cannot be used for trade schools) in New York State.
    Ìý
  • Those who do not attend a college or university in New York State forfeit the award.
    Ìý
  • In the event that a scholarship is forfeited by the student or revoked by the Commissioner of ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®, its benefits will lapse and no re-awards will be made.
    Ìý
  • Awards are renewable for up to four academic years of undergraduate study or five academic years if the program of study normally requires five years as defined by the Commissioner of ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®.Ìý
  • If a winner is not accepted as a full-time, matriculated student at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State by the fall semester, the scholarship may be accepted and enrollment postponed for a period of one year.

To avoid forfeiture, a written request for a leave of absence must be submitted prior to the start of the fall semester to the:

Higher ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Services Corporation

Division of Grants and Scholarships

99 Washington Avenue, Room 1300B

Albany, New York 12255-0001

SEDMON Technical Assistance Resources
Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act

For more information on theÌýSenator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act, visitÌý

Contact Information:

ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®
Office of Postsecondary Access, Support, and Success
Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE)
89 Washington Avenue, EBA 960
Albany, New York 12234
scholar@nysed.gov

PRIVACY NOTICE

The information collected on the application for the Scholarships for Academic Excellence is collected under the authority of the ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Law 605 and Regulations of the Commissioner of ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®, subpart 145-1.Ìý Each individual has the right to review personal information maintained by the Scholarships Unit unless exempted by law.