Jump to: Scholarship resources | FAFSA | NYS tools | Excelsior Scholarship
Scholarship and Award Resources
- Fastweb: Search for scholarships, find money for college, get financial aid
- FinAid!: Scholarship, grants, loans, military aid info
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Federally funded financial assistance for education
- Adventures in Education: College planning resources, financial aid information, guidance
- College Scholarship Search: Finding scholarships and finding money for college
Information about available Mechanicville scholarships is now located in the 12th grade Resources folder on the shared drive.
FAFSA
The first step is to complete the FAFSA application, which is key to college financial aid. Please click here to begin your FAFSA application.
FAFSA experts are also available to answer questions. For help:
- Call toll free at 1-800-808-1790 between noon and 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays
- Email FAFSAhelp@HESC.ny.gov anytime
- Click here to chat live with a FAFSA expert
Students should also complete the New York State TAP application. Please click here to begin your New York State TAP application.
State Tools to Help Students Calculate College Costs
Potential college students can now compare differences, calculate net costs and estimate total costs of college education with an online tool.
The Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool, available at HESC.ny.gov, is free and safe to use, with no personal data collected or saved. Click here to learn more about the comparison tool.
The Excelsior Scholarship
Today, college is what high school was – it should always be an option even if you can’t afford it.
With the passage of the FY 2018 State Budget, New York is now home to the nation’s first accessible college program – The Excelsior Scholarship.
Under this groundbreaking program, more than 940,000 middle-class families and individuals making up to $125,000 per year will qualify to attend college tuition-free at all CUNY and SUNY two- and four-year colleges in New York State. The new program begins in the fall of 2017 and will be phased in over three years.
In order to apply, students must:
- Be residents of New York State
- Attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year degree program
- Take 30 credits per calendar year (including January and Summer sessions)
- Plan to live and work in New York following graduation for the length of time they participate in the scholarship program
- In New York State, every child will have the opportunity that education provides.