🎓 Stony Brook University Scholarships & Financial Aid (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on February 27, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and need-based scholarships
- Competitive and departmental awards
- Honors College scholarships and state aid programs
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~49% (Fall 2024)
- Academic Profile (GPA): 90–96 (100-point scale; ≈3.7+ on 4.0)
- Middle 50% SAT: 1340–1480
- Middle 50% ACT: 29–33
Source: Stony Brook Undergraduate Admissions (Test-Optional Profile, Fall 2024).
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Stony Brook University at a Glance
Stony Brook University is one of New York’s top public research institutions—and one of the best values in the SUNY system. Strong STEM, health sciences, and pre-med students can earn automatic or competitive scholarships that significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
In-state students often stack university merit with New York’s Excelsior Scholarship and TAP Grant, while out-of-state students with top GPAs or research interests may qualify for substantial merit or Honors-level funding.
FAQ
Does Stony Brook offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — top students are automatically considered for Presidential, Provost, and Honors-level awards.
What’s the average net price? About $18,601 per year after grants and scholarships (College Board BigFuture).
Are there full-tuition or full-ride awards? Yes — the Simons STEM Scholars Program covers full tuition, housing, meals, and more for eligible STEM majors.
Can New York state aid stack with Stony Brook scholarships? Yes — students can combine Excelsior, TAP, and institutional merit aid.
[1] Stony Brook University Tuition & Costs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/cost-and-aid/tuition-costs.php
[2] Stony Brook University Test-Optional Admissions — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/test-optional.php
[3] Stony Brook Honors & Scholars Programs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/academics/honors.php
[4] Simons STEM Scholars Program Benefits — stonybrook.edu/commcms/simonsscholars/prospective/program-benefits.php
[5] College Board BigFuture — bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/suny-university-at-stony-brook/tuition-and-costs
[6] CRP New York State Aid Guide — /new-york/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Stony Brook University (2026–2027)
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Stony Brook remains one of the nation’s most affordable flagship research universities for New York residents. For out-of-state families, the sticker price is higher—but strong students can bring costs down through merit-based and departmental scholarships, especially in STEM fields.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $11,008 | $34,984 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus) | $19,044 | $19,044 |
| Estimated Total (table items only) | $30,052 | $54,028 |
Note: Figures include tuition, fees, housing, and meals only. Books, transportation, and personal expenses—typically adding about $7,800 per year combined—are excluded for simplicity. Optional health-insurance premiums are also not shown.
[1] Stony Brook University Tuition & Costs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/cost-and-aid/tuition-costs.php
[2] Stony Brook Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (Cost Estimate PDF) — stonybrook.edu/commcms/finaid/pdfs/cost_estimate.pdf
[3] College Board BigFuture — bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/suny-university-at-stony-brook/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook Merit Scholarship | $1,000–$10,000/year | 3.7+ GPA, strong AP/IB/honors/dual enrollment; test-optional; SAT/ACT may help if 1350+/30+ | No (auto w/ admission) | Yes (GPA & full-time, up to 4 yrs) | In-state and OOS w/ 3.7+ GPA, top 15%; top awards: 3.9+/1400+ SAT/top 5% | Jan 15 (Reg.); Nov 1 (EA best) |
| Presidential Scholarship | Full tuition (rare) | 3.9+ GPA, top 5% class, 1450+ SAT/33+ ACT, leadership, possible National Merit | No (auto, selective) | Yes (meet honors requirements) | Top 1–2%, AP/IB/dual enrollment, honors invites | Jan 15 (Nov 1 best) |
| National Merit Scholarship – Stony Brook | $3,000–$5,000/year | National Merit Finalist, SBU top choice | No (auto w/ NMSC) | Yes (4 years, keep eligibility) | Enrolled National Merit Finalists | NMSC deadlines (Feb–Mar) |
- Most merit awards go to students with a 3.7+ GPA and advanced coursework.
- The highest awards (up to $10,000/yr or full tuition) go to 3.9+ GPA, top class rank, and test scores above 1400 SAT/30 ACT if submitted.
- Out-of-state students may get the largest awards to help cover tuition gaps, but not all top applicants are funded.
No separate application required—just apply for admission by the deadline. Not all excellent students receive awards, and amounts can change each year.
🎯 Automatic Merit FAQ
Is the scholarship guaranteed if I meet the GPA?
No—Stony Brook does not guarantee awards based on GPA alone. Merit aid is competitive and dependent on the applicant pool.
Do I need to submit SAT or ACT scores?
No—Stony Brook is test-optional. Send scores if they’re strong and may push you into a higher award tier.
Do I have to apply separately for scholarships?
No—all applicants are automatically considered when applying for first-year admission by posted deadlines.
Are scholarships renewable?
Most merit offers are renewable for up to 4 years with continued full-time enrollment and GPA standards (typically 3.0+).
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full in-state tuition (plus possible stipend) |
3.9+ GPA, AP/IB coursework, top 5% class; test scores optional but 1400+ SAT/31+ ACT helps | No (automatic review) | Yes (meet honors/academic standards) | Top 1–3% of applicants with near-perfect transcripts and advanced coursework (selective for both in-state and OOS) | Jan 15 (Reg); Nov 1 (EA best) |
🎯 Competitive Scholarship FAQ
What makes these scholarships competitive?
The Presidential is reserved for a tiny group of students—usually with 3.9+ GPA, AP/IB classes, and a high class rank. Even many high-achieving applicants do not receive this award.
Is it worth applying if there’s no separate application?
Yes—application review is automatic. Students have the best odds when they apply early, submit strong materials, and respond quickly if invited to Honors.
How can I increase my chances?
Aim for a 3.9+ GPA, advanced courses, and (optionally) a 1400+ SAT/31+ ACT. Competitive activities, leadership, and applying by Early Action help—especially for OOS applicants.
📘 Honors College at Stony Brook University
Stony Brook’s Honors College offers a small cohort experience, priority advising, and academic perks—but it does not automatically include extra scholarship funding. Top applicants may get higher merit, but there’s no dedicated Honors award.
| Program | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook Honors College | No automatic award | First-year admits with 3.9+ GPA, advanced curriculum, and strong application | No (invitation only) | N/A | Top applicants seeking small classes, research, and learning community | Jan 15 (apply for admission) |
- ✅ Small, seminar classes and close faculty contact
- ✅ Priority course registration & advising
- ✅ Honors housing in a Living-Learning Community
- ✅ Early access to research and faculty mentorship
- ✅ Support for fellowships, grad school, and thesis work
🎯 Honors College FAQ
Does Honors include a scholarship?
No, there is no dedicated Honors College scholarship. Honors students may get larger merit offers, but there’s no extra funding just for membership.
Is it worth joining if it doesn’t save money?
If you want close mentoring, research, and an intellectual community, it’s a great fit. It is not a financial aid program.
How selective is Honors?
Very—typical admits have a near-perfect GPA, rigorous classes, and a strong all-around application. Admission is by invitation only during the main review.