There is currently a new program being enacted known as the Excelsior Scholarship, with a slogan that states “Tuition-Free College for New York’s Middle Class.”  It could impact approximately 80% or 940,000 middle-class students whose families earn anything up to $125,000.  Students can qualify for this grant if they agree to attend any New York public university, either city or state-run.  The program will be split into three phases.  The first phase will begin in the fall of 2017, and anyone whose parents make under $100,000 will be eligible to qualify.  The second phase will be implemented in 2018 with the income qualification increasing to $110,000.  Lastly, by 2019 scholars can enroll if their parents are making anywhere from $125,000 and under.

The goal of the Excelsior Scholarship is to make sure that students are able to receive a higher education regardless of their ability to afford it.  Many students and faculty at CUNY schools have been continuously fighting for new forms of free tuition.  At Queens College, both the Student Association government parties, Students For Change and “Students’ Empowerment Party, fought, and are still fighting, for free tuition at CUNY.  However, as it was before, this system for free tuition at CUNY will not indicate free tuition for all, rather it will only be provided for students that qualify.  So, what are the qualifications for this form of free tuition?  Besides the income barrier, scholars must maintain a minimum of 30 credits a year, averaging to about 5 classes a semester, and all of their coursework must be applicable to their major.  They also must maintain a minimum grade point average, a GPA of 2.0 at Queens College, and agree to live and work in-state for the same number of years that they received the tuition.  There is still another catch.  Failure to meet any of the Excelsior Scholarship requirements turn whatever money was granted to the student into a loan.

Aside from some of the strict qualifications, there are still criticisms of this grant.  Low-income families that qualify for TAP and PELL grants are not eligible for the program.  Thus, it will not affect the lowest classes. Additionally, the program will not cover college costs such as room and board or books, which are often the costs that keep students out of college in the first place.  Also, some people fear that the scholarship will deter students from private colleges or place greater strain on the SUNY and CUNY financial systems, which have already had depleted funds in the past.
Nonetheless, this scholarship, “Along with the “Get On Your Feet” Loan Forgiveness Program, which allows eligible college graduate residing in New York to pay nothing for their student loans for the next two years after graduating college, have been created to help all New York students eligible for a higher education.