Merit-Based Scholarships

The City College of New York Scholarship Program

The City College offers a variety of scholarships to entering freshmen, transfer and continuing students. Criteria for selection vary but may include past academic performance, standardized test scores, evidence of creative promise, financial need, campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities or demonstrated leadership. Scholarship information can be obtained from the College’s website.

Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship Program

The Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship (formerly the New York City Council Merit Scholarship) rewards New York City high school graduates who have proven their ability to succeed academically while they were in high school. Students may receive $700 per year ($350 per semester).   Funding is determined by the New York City Council and scholarship amounts are subject to change based upon funding provided each academic year.  Once a college has reached their allocation amount, no additional recipients can be awarded.

Application Form

There is no separate application for the scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the award when they apply for admission to CUNY.

To qualify you must:

• Must be a US Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen

• Be a resident of New York City

• Graduate from a New York City high school with at least an 80(B) GPA

• Enroll at a CUNY college as a full-time student within one year of graduating from high school

• Register as a full-time student each semester (except summer) and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA

• Attend CUNY before attending any other post secondary institution

Pursuit and Progress

• You must maintain continuous full-time (12 credits) enrollment within the City University of New York system

• You must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 that is calculated once a year at the end of the Spring semester 

• Students pursuing an associate's degree may receive the Peter V. Vallone Academic Scholarship for a maximum of six semesters. Those seeking a bachelor's degree are limited to eight semesters of eligibility

• The award is not restored once it has been lost

Student Budgets (Cost of Attendance)

The City University of New York (CUNY) calculates "average living expenses" for each academic year. Living expenses are added to tuition and fee expenses, to equal the "cost of attendance". Items included in the calculation are room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

An updated "Cost of Attendance" will be posted to the City College Financial Aid webpage, under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) each academic year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements

Federal Financial Aid - All students must satisfy qualitative and quantitative academic standards in order to remain eligible for federal financial aid. Students will be measured against the Title IV Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards at the end of each spring semester in order to determine eligibility for the upcoming year. Those who fail to meet the academic standards will have their federal aid automatically suspended until they meet the minimum standards. (Students who can document that their failure to satisfy academic requirements were the result of extraordinary or exceptional circumstances may be able to apply for a waiver to receive federal aid for another semester).

New York State Aid - To qualify for a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) or Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) award, students must meet the applicable New York State Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

To view the Federal and New York State academic requirements please refer to "Academic Requirements" under "Frequently Asked Questions" in the Financial Aid section of the City College website.

Financial Aid Refunds

A student can receive financial aid refunds in one of two ways:

1. A check mailed to the student’s address

2. Direct deposit

For safety and security, direct deposit is strongly recommended.

Financial aid will be applied to a student’s outstanding tuition and fees charges first. Remaining funds will be refunded to the student. (Note: TAP, and APTS and Excelsior Scholarship can only be used toward a student’s tuition charges).

Study Abroad

Financial aid is available for students who attend an approved study abroad program.

New York State Aid

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) may be used for Study Abroad programs. Students must be enrolled full-time and at least twelve (12) of their credits must be contributory to their program of study. Tuition must be paid at the City College of New York or another New York state college or university. A student’s TAP award will be contingent on verification that the courses they register for at the foreign institution are contributory toward their program of study as well as meeting all other eligibility criteria. TAP will not cover tuition when City College has an agreement to forward paid tuition funds to a foreign institution.

Federal Aid

Federal financial aid may be used for study abroad programs.  Direct loans and Pell grants are the types of aid most commonly used. To qualify for a Direct Student loan students must be enrolled for at least six (6) credits. To qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, students must be enrolled for at least one (1) credit. However, the award amount would be prorated based on the number of credits.

Students must meet federal satisfactory academic progress requirements and all other eligibility requirements. Additionally, students who enroll for a non-CUNY study abroad program must submit a Consortium Agreement form as part of the study abroad approval process.