Binghamton University Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on October 1, 2026
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and average family net price
  • Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
  • Flagship and hidden-gem awards
  • Honors and stacking strategy

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~37%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 31-34
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1320-1480
  • Average GPA: 3.88
🎯 How Admissions Works at Binghamton

Binghamton admitted about 37% of its 61,188 first-year applicants for fall 2025. The middle half of enrolling students carried a 3.7 to 3.9 GPA (93 to 98 on a 100-point scale). Testing is optional. If your student does send scores, Binghamton combines the best section scores across test dates within the same test, but it won’t mix SAT and ACT.

There are two first-year deadlines. Early action is November 1 (transcripts and scores due December 1, decision by January 15). Regular admission is January 15 (decision by April 1). Early action is not binding. Binghamton accepts the Common App, the SUNY App, and the Coalition App.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌 Binghamton University at a Glance

🏆 Up to full in-state cost of attendance (5 Achievement Scholars per year)
Average Net Price
$21,364/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
None guaranteed
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
8 opportunities
5 competitive · 2 hidden gem · 1 honors
Typical Qualifiers
Committee-selected, no published cutoffs
Entry-level benchmarks for automatic merit.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Jan 15 • FAFSA: Jan 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
5 committee-selected Achievement Scholars per year
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Binghamton (Read This First)

  • There is no guaranteed merit. Every applicant is considered for scholarships, but a committee decides. No GPA or test score locks in an award, so you won’t know until the offer arrives.
  • File the FAFSA by January 1. Binghamton says financial need is very often one of its scholarship criteria. The Financial Aid office recommends January 1 even though its Common Data Set lists January 15. Go with the earlier date.
  • “Tuition-free” is not “free.” New York’s Excelsior Scholarship covers the $7,070 tuition bill only. About $23,700 in fees, housing, and food is still yours, and the student has to live (and work, if employed) in New York after graduation or the award turns into a loan.
  • The Scholars Program is prestige, not money. Binghamton’s own FAQ says there is no financial incentive beyond a one-time $3,500 experience award.
  • EOP families: SUNY App only, no early action. Students applying through the Educational Opportunity Program must use the SUNY Application and wait for regular admission.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Binghamton University is test-optional for admission.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 31-34; SAT: 1320-1480.

Average net price? About $21,364/year after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No broad regional reciprocity path.

Sources:
Binghamton Financial Aid: Undergraduate Scholarship Programs: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarship-programs.html
NYS HESC: Excelsior Scholarship Program: https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program
Binghamton University Scholars Program: Scholars Award $3,500: https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/scholars/prospective-students/benefits-perks/award-3500/
CollegeReadyParent NY state aid guide: https://collegereadyparent.org/new-york/
NYS HESC: STEM Incentive Program: https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/nys-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-incentive
Binghamton EOP: Eligibility: https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/eop/about/eligibility.html
Binghamton Admissions: Scholarships: https://www.binghamton.edu/admissions/undergraduate/cost/scholarships.html
Binghamton AcademicWorks Scholarship Database: https://binghamton.academicworks.com/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

💰 Cost of Attendance at Binghamton University: 2026–2027 Rates

Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.

📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Binghamton University has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.

Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $600 to $1,500 more than the in-state total below. $1,100 to $2,700 more than the out-of-state total below.

In-State: billed cost per year
$30,746
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $10,567
Housing & meals (typical) $20,179
Total billed cost $30,746
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$53,516
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $33,337
Housing & meals (typical) $20,179
Total billed cost $53,516

That is $22,770 more per year than New York residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.

Average federal net price: $21,364 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.

Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.

Out-of-State Reality Check

Binghamton is a great price for New Yorkers and a full public-university price for everyone else. There’s no regional exchange and no broad waiver, so an out-of-state student is looking at about $53,500 a year in direct costs. Only about 16% of first-years come from outside New York. If you’re out of state, the number to watch is the merit offer, because that’s the only lever that moves the bill.

FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Binghamton University

How much does Binghamton cost per year in 2026-27?
For a New York resident living on campus, the bill (tuition, fees, housing, and food) is $30,746. Add books, travel, and personal costs and the full budget is $32,746. For an out-of-state student the bill is $53,516 and the full budget is $55,716.

Has in-state tuition really stayed at $7,070?
Yes. SUNY’s in-state tuition has held at $7,070 for several years. The increases have shown up elsewhere instead. Non-resident tuition went from $28,970 to $29,840 this year, and the median housing and meal plan went from $19,477 to $20,179.

Can out-of-state students get in-state tuition or a waiver?
Not at Binghamton. There’s no regional tuition exchange and no broad out-of-state waiver. The only real offset is Binghamton’s committee-selected merit, which every applicant is considered for automatically.

What do families actually pay after aid?
The federal average net price is about $21,364 a year for students who receive grant or scholarship aid. Your number depends on income and on whether your student lands merit, so run Binghamton’s Net Price Calculator before you fall in love with the school.

Does Binghamton meet full financial need?
No. In its most recent Common Data Set, Binghamton met an average of 79% of need for first-years who had need, and about 22% had their need fully met. Plan for a gap and talk about loans and savings early.

Why do I see different prices on Binghamton’s website?
Some admissions pages still show the 2025-26 numbers (like $51,944 for out-of-state). The Financial Aid office’s Cost of Attendance page has the current 2026-27 figures, and that’s the one we use here.

Is it cheaper to live at home?
Much cheaper. Binghamton’s budget for a New York student living with parents is $17,798 for the year, compared with $32,746 on campus.

Sources:
https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/cost.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/oir/institutional-data/cds2025.pdf

📅 Binghamton Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)

  • November 1: Early action application. It doesn’t unlock extra money, but it gets your student into the pool early.
  • January 1: File the FAFSA. Need is part of many Binghamton scholarship decisions.
  • January 15: Regular deadline. This is the last date to be in the applicant pool every scholarship is drawn from.
  • January through March: Scholars Program invitations go out.
  • Spring: Scholarship offers arrive with the financial aid offer.

Parent rule of thumb: Binghamton has no scholarship form to forget, but a late FAFSA can quietly cost you.

Automatic Merit Scholarships: Binghamton University

Here’s the honest answer: Binghamton does not offer automatic, guaranteed merit scholarships. There’s no chart where a 3.8 and a 1400 equals a set dollar amount. Instead, every applicant is automatically considered, and a committee picks who gets what. So there’s nothing to apply for, but there’s also nothing to count on.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyny residentincome cap
NYS Excelsior Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Annual HESC application; the 2026-27 window is closed, so watch HESC for 2027-28 dates
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$7,070/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  New York residents, household AGI $125,000 or less
🎓 All UndergradU.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, New York resident for 12 continuous months, enrolled full-time, and completing at least 30 credits each year toward the degree. Undocumented New York students can apply through the NYS DREAM Act.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applied after Pell, TAP, and other tuition scholarships, so its dollar value shrinks as other aid grows. Students cannot hold Excelsior and the NYS STEM Incentive award in the same year.
📄
How to Apply
File the FAFSA and the TAP application, then apply on the HESC website during the annual window and sign the service contract. After graduation the student must live in New York for as many years as they received the award, and work in New York if employed, or the award converts to a no-interest loan.
💡
Strategic Detail
Lets New York students from families with a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less attend a state-operated SUNY school tuition-free. At Binghamton that means the $7,070 tuition charge only. It is a last-dollar award: Pell, TAP, and other grants and scholarships go toward tuition first, and Excelsior covers whatever tuition is left. The $3,497 in mandatory fees and about $20,179 in housing and food are not covered.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Middle-income New York families who earn too much for a large Pell Grant but stay under $125,000, with a student who will keep a steady 15-credits-a-semester pace.
State AidAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Tuition Assistance Program
📅 Deadline: FAFSA and TAP application; final cutoff June 30 after the aid year
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$5,665/yr
✔ Stackable
NY resident for 12 months; NYS net taxable income $125,000 or less for dependent students; full time (part-time TAP exists separately); FAFSA plus a separate TAP application every year
✚
Stacking & Combining
New York's main need grant, $1,000 to $5,665 a year on a sliding income scale. At a SUNY campus it pays most or all of tuition for the lowest-income families. Stacks with Pell and campus aid, and it is the base that Excelsior builds on. Two forms every year: the FAFSA and the TAP application.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a Binghamton University award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Families under $125,000 who finished the separate TAP application after the FAFSA. The TAP form is its own step on the HESC site, and the students who show up with Pell but no TAP are almost always the ones who stopped at the FAFSA confirmation screen.
State AidApp Requiredny residenttop 10 percentstem major
NYS STEM Incentive Program
📅 Deadline: Aug 16, 2027 for the 2027-28 year; must apply during senior year of high school
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$7,070/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠  Top 10% of a New York high school class, approved STEM major
Class rank must be 10.0 percent or better (10.4 percent does not qualify). Apply during senior year, enroll full-time the fall right after high school, stay in an approved STEM program, and keep a 2.5 cumulative GPA. No income limit.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Reduced dollar for dollar by TAP and other tuition awards. Cannot be combined with Excelsior in the same year, so families who qualify for both should compare the post-graduation requirements before accepting one.
📄
How to Apply
File the FAFSA and TAP application, then apply on the HESC website during senior year. After graduation the recipient must live in New York and work in an approved STEM job for five years, or the full award converts to a 10-year loan with interest.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers SUNY tuition (up to $7,070 a year at Binghamton) for New York students who graduate in the top 10.0 percent of their high school class and enroll right away in an approved STEM program. The award is reduced by TAP and other tuition aid, and it does not cover fees, housing, or food.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-ranking New York seniors heading into engineering, computer science, or the sciences who plan to build a career in New York.
State AidApp Requiredstate residency
NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
📅 Deadline: High school nomination; deadline set by the school
✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$500–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Nominated by the high school based on Regents exam scores; no application; must enroll the fall right after graduation; public or private NY college
✚
Stacking & Combining
$500 or $1,500 a year for four years, awarded by Regents scores and nominated by the high school. Small but automatic and renewable at a C average. Stacks with TAP, Excelsior, and college aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a Binghamton University award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top Regents scorers whose high school submitted the nomination. There is nothing for a family to do except confirm with the guidance office that the nomination went in, and that is exactly the step nobody takes.

This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.

So how much merit actually goes out? More than most families expect. In its latest Common Data Set, Binghamton reported that 726 first-year students with no financial need received merit scholarships, averaging $6,452. That’s roughly one in five first-years. Most of that comes from the President’s, Provost’s, and Dean’s Scholarships, which we cover in the next section along with the Achievement Scholarship.

Note: Binghamton doesn’t publish award amounts or cutoffs for its named scholarships. The terms (amount, renewal GPA, length) arrive with the offer itself.

Automatic Merit: FAQs (Binghamton University)

Does Binghamton have automatic merit scholarships?
No guaranteed ones. Every applicant is considered for merit, but awards are competitive and decided by Binghamton, not by a published GPA or test chart.

Do we have to fill out a scholarship application?
Not for incoming students. Submit a complete admission application and file the FAFSA. Binghamton considers everyone from there.

What GPA or test score does it take to get merit?
Binghamton doesn’t say. For context, the middle half of enrolling first-years had a 3.7 to 3.9 GPA, and test submitters scored 1320 to 1480 on the SAT or 31 to 34 on the ACT. Merit goes to students who stand out within that group.

Should my student submit test scores?
Binghamton is test-optional for admission. If your student’s scores are at or above the ranges above, sending them gives the committee one more strength to look at. Scores below that range usually aren’t worth sending.

Does Binghamton superscore?
Yes, within the same test. It combines the best section scores across SAT dates, or across ACT dates, but it won’t mix the two.

When will we find out about scholarships?
Most Binghamton scholarships are awarded in the spring and show up in the financial aid offer or a letter during the admission process.

Sources:
https://www.binghamton.edu/admissions/undergraduate/cost/scholarships.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.binghamton.edu/admissions/undergraduate/info/test-policy.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/oir/institutional-data/cds2025.pdf

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

This is where Binghamton’s merit money actually lives. There are two programs. The Achievement Scholarship picks 25 students a year: 20 get $10,000 a year, and 5 get up to the full in-state cost of attendance, about $30,000. The President’s, Provost’s, and Dean’s Scholarships are four-year awards in amounts Binghamton doesn’t publish. None of these has an application. Your student is considered just by applying.
Automatic
Binghamton University Achievement Scholarship: Cost of Attendance Tier
📅 Deadline: No separate application; all first-year applicants are considered
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$30,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~5 winners/yrAll first-year undergraduate applicants are considered. Recipients must keep a GPA set by the program; Binghamton does not publish the exact figure.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Counts toward the total aid package, which cannot exceed Binghamton's budgeted cost of attendance. For a New York resident this tier can cover close to the full bill. For an out-of-state student it is capped at the in-state figure, so roughly $23,500 a year in direct costs remains.
💡
Strategic Detail
Top tier of the Binghamton University Achievement Scholarship, funded by a $25 million anonymous family gift that began in fall 2023. Five incoming first-year students a year receive up to the in-state full cost of attendance (about $30,000) per year for up to four years. A campus committee picks recipients. If a recipient drops below the required GPA, the committee chooses a new student from the same class year to receive the funds.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Five students a year out of a first-year class of about 3,200, chosen by committee. Binghamton publishes no GPA or test cutoffs, so treat this as a bonus, not a plan.
Automatic
Binghamton University Achievement Scholarship: $10,000 Tier
📅 Deadline: No separate application; all first-year applicants are considered
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~20 winners/yrAll first-year undergraduate applicants are considered. Recipients must keep a GPA set by the program; Binghamton does not publish the exact figure.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Packaged with federal, state, and other institutional aid. The total package cannot exceed the budgeted cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Second tier of the Binghamton University Achievement Scholarship, funded by a $25 million anonymous family gift that began in fall 2023. Twenty incoming first-year students a year receive $10,000 per year for up to four years. A campus committee picks recipients, and a student who misses the GPA requirement is replaced by another student from the same class year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Twenty students a year out of a first-year class of about 3,200, selected by committee with no published cutoffs.
Automatic
President’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application; all applicants considered at admission
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Packaged with federal, state, and other institutional aid. The total package cannot exceed the budgeted cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
The top of Binghamton's three named four-year merit scholarships (President's, Provost's, Dean's), awarded at admission to students of exceptional achievement. Binghamton does not publish dollar amounts. Awards are competitive and vary, and the exact terms come with the scholarship offer. Full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA are required to renew.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: The strongest admits in a pool where the middle half of enrolling first-years carried a 3.7 to 3.9 GPA and, among test submitters, a 1320 to 1480 SAT. No cutoffs are published.
Automatic
Provost’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application; all applicants considered at admission
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Packaged with federal, state, and other institutional aid. The total package cannot exceed the budgeted cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
The middle of Binghamton's three named four-year merit scholarships (President's, Provost's, Dean's). Binghamton does not publish dollar amounts. Awards are competitive and vary, and the exact terms come with the scholarship offer. Full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA are required to renew.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Strong admits just below the President's level. Binghamton publishes no cutoffs.
Automatic
Dean’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application; all applicants considered at admission
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Packaged with federal, state, and other institutional aid. The total package cannot exceed the budgeted cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
The third of Binghamton's three named four-year merit scholarships (President's, Provost's, Dean's). Binghamton does not publish dollar amounts. Awards are competitive and vary, and the exact terms come with the scholarship offer. Full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA are required to renew.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Strong admits below the President's and Provost's levels. Still a selective award in a top-of-class applicant pool.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

✅ How Binghamton Aid Fits Together

Aid Type Works With Merit? Parent Translation
Achievement / President’s / Provost’s / Dean’s Packaged together Everything goes into one aid package, and Binghamton caps the total at the cost of attendance.
Pell and TAP grants Yes Need-based grants come first. That’s why the FAFSA matters even for strong students.
Excelsior / STEM Incentive Last-dollar They only cover tuition left over after other aid. Your student can hold one or the other, not both.
Donor scholarships (later years) Usually These are the gap fillers once your student is enrolled with a 3.0 or better.
Outside scholarships Yes, up to the cap Report them to Financial Aid. If your package is already at the cost of attendance, something else gets reduced.

One more thing for out-of-state families: even the biggest Achievement award is capped at the in-state cost of attendance. For a New Yorker that covers nearly everything. For a student from New Jersey or Pennsylvania it still leaves around $23,500 a year to cover.

❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs

How do we apply for the Achievement Scholarship?
You don’t. Binghamton considers every first-year applicant automatically, and a campus committee chooses 25 recipients a year.

What happens if a recipient’s grades slip?
The award requires a specified GPA each year. If a recipient misses it, the committee gives that scholarship to another student in the same class year. So a strong first semester matters for everyone, not just the original winners.

How much are the President’s, Provost’s, and Dean’s Scholarships?
Binghamton doesn’t publish amounts. They’re four-year commitments that vary by student, and the exact terms, including the renewal GPA, arrive with the offer.

Does financial need affect merit scholarships?
It can. Binghamton says its scholarship criteria very often include financial need as shown on the FAFSA, along with academics, donor preferences, major, and program participation. File the FAFSA by January 1 even if you expect no need-based aid.

Is the deadline different for scholarship consideration?
No separate deadline. Binghamton draws from its applicant pool, so applying by January 15 (or November 1 for early action) with a complete file is what puts your student in the running.

Can international students get these?
A limited number of scholarships are available to international students through the admission process. Contact Undergraduate Admissions directly.

Sources:
https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate-scholarship-programs.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/admissions/undergraduate/cost/scholarships.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/

🧠 Parent Strategy: Binghamton’s “Year Two” Money

Most families stop looking for scholarships once the first offer comes in. At Binghamton, a second round of money opens up after enrollment, and most of it is automatic if you keep two things in place.

  1. Keep a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. File the FAFSA by March 1 every year.
  3. Sign in to AcademicWorks and search for awards tied to your student’s major, school, or background.
  4. Complete any award that asks for its own short application.

Parent translation: New York families should also decide early between Excelsior and the STEM Incentive. Your student can only hold one, and the strings attached are very different.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These won’t show up on the admissions page, but they can matter as much as merit. Two are New York State programs that only cover tuition. One is for students who need a different path in. One rewards students who keep their grades up once they’re enrolled.

App Requiredny residentincome guidelines
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 (EOP applicants are not eligible for Early Action)
✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠  New York residents who meet SUNY EOP academic and income guidelines
New York State resident for 12 months before enrolling, not admissible under regular criteria but showing potential to succeed, and within SUNY's EOP income guidelines.
✚
Stacking & Combining
EOP support layers on top of Pell, TAP, and other aid to help close remaining need.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the SUNY Application (not the Common App) and indicate interest in EOP. EOP applicants cannot apply Early Action and may be asked for additional academic and financial documents.
Selection criteria: Combined financial and academic-eligibility review
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
EOP is New York's opportunity program for students whose academic record falls below regular admission but who show real potential and meet state income guidelines. Students admitted through EOP get advising, tutoring, and supplemental financial support on top of federal and state aid. Every EOP first-year attends the mandatory summer Binghamton Enrichment Program and earns eight credits there, with summer tuition paid by the Provost's office. Binghamton reports a 98 percent first-to-second-year retention rate for EOP students. EOP aid amounts are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New York students from low-income households, often first-generation, whose grades or scores do not meet regular admission but who show they can succeed with support.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Binghamton Donor Scholarships (Current Students)
📅 Deadline: Mar 1
Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers on top of other aid up to the budgeted cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
A long list of donor-funded scholarships, many tied to a major, school, background, or activity. Incoming students are considered at admission with no application. Current students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are reviewed automatically each year, as long as a current FAFSA is on file by the recommended March 1 date. Some awards also ask for a short application in the portal. Amounts vary by fund and are not published as a range.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Current students with a 3.0 or better who keep their FAFSA current and take a few minutes each year to search the portal for awards tied to their major or background.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
ROTC Scholarships (Army/Air Force)
📅 Deadline: Oct–Mar (national ROTC deadlines)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full_tuition_and_stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
ROTC scholarship benefits are set by the military branch. Check the Binghamton aid offer to see how they are packaged with other awards.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for an Army or Air Force ROTC scholarship through the branch's national portal during senior year, list Binghamton as your school, and connect with Cornell's ROTC unit. Scholarships require meeting academic, fitness, and medical standards and a service commitment after graduation.
Selection criteria: National ROTC selection criteria
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Army and Air Force ROTC are open to Binghamton students through Cornell University. Army cadets do morning physical training at Binghamton and travel to Cornell in Ithaca each week for military science class and leadership lab. ROTC scholarships are awarded nationally by each branch, not by Binghamton.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students committed to serving as officers after graduation who pass national ROTC selection and keep up academic and physical standards.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

❓ Hidden Gems FAQ

Excelsior or STEM Incentive: which should we take?
If your student qualifies for both, compare the strings. Excelsior has a $125,000 income cap and requires living and working in New York for as many years as your student got the award, or it becomes a no-interest loan. The STEM Incentive has no income cap but requires five years living in New York and working in an approved STEM job, or it becomes a 10-year loan with interest.

Does Excelsior cover housing or fees?
No. It covers tuition only, $7,070 at Binghamton, and only what’s left after Pell, TAP, and other tuition aid. The $3,497 in fees and about $20,179 for housing and food are still on you.

Can my student apply for the STEM Incentive in college?
No. Your student has to apply during the senior year of high school, rank in the top 10.0% of their class, and start college full-time that fall.

How does EOP work at Binghamton?
EOP is for New York students who meet income guidelines and whose grades or scores fall below regular admission but who show strong potential. Apply through the SUNY Application, not the Common App, and plan on regular admission, since EOP applicants can’t apply early action. Every EOP first-year attends a required summer program and earns eight credits there, with summer tuition covered by the university.

Is ROTC offered at Binghamton?
Yes, through Cornell University. Army and Air Force ROTC scholarships are awarded nationally by each branch, and Army cadets travel to Ithaca each week for class and leadership lab.

Sources:
https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program
https://hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/nys-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-incentive
https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/eop/about/eligibility.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://binghamton.academicworks.com/

The Binghamton University Scholars Program

Binghamton doesn’t have an Honors College. Its university-wide honors community is the Binghamton University Scholars Program, and it works differently than most. Your student can’t apply. Admissions sends invitations to a small group of top admits, typically between January and March.

  • Size: About 110 to 120 students a year, out of more than 60,000 first-year applications.
  • Typical invitee: A high school average starting in the mid 90s and, for those who tested, SAT scores starting in the mid 1400s.
  • To stay in: A 3.25 GPA, Scholars courses, a junior-year immersive experience, and a senior project.

Scholars Program Awards

App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Binghamton University Scholars Award ($3,500)
📅 Deadline: Apply any time from sophomore year through graduation; deadlines vary by track
Non-Renewable
$3,500
✔ Stackable
⚠  Binghamton University Scholars only (invitation)
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 Sophomore
✚
Stacking & Combining
Because it pays for an experience rather than tuition, it generally sits alongside other aid, subject to the cost-of-attendance cap.
📄
How to Apply
Students cannot apply into the Scholars Program; admissions extends invitations, typically January through March. Once enrolled as a Scholar, submit an application through the program describing the experience you want funded. Each track has its own deadline.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One-time $3,500 award for Binghamton University Scholars, usable from the start of the second year through graduation for an approved study abroad program, summer or winter internship, mentored research, community-engaged project, or presenting original research at a national or international conference. Binghamton says the Scholars Program itself carries no other financial incentive.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Scholars in good standing (3.25 GPA) who plan a specific experience and apply for it. Membership is by invitation only, roughly 110 to 120 students per class.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.

Binghamton’s own FAQ says the Scholars Program carries no financial incentive beyond the one-time $3,500 award and a small number of merit awards given after the first year.

What Scholars Actually Get: priority registration, small Scholars-only classes that often count toward general education requirements, first-year housing together in Broome Hall in Newing College, faculty and peer mentoring, and a guaranteed choice of any major until March 10 of the first year (with a 3.25 GPA). The value is access, not tuition dollars.
Other Invitation-Only Programs
  • First-year Research Immersion (FRI) and the Source Project: separate honors-style research programs. Invitations also come through Admissions, and many Scholars do one of these as well.
  • PwC Scholars Program (School of Management): School of Management admits aren’t invited to the university Scholars Program. They have their own, sponsored by PwC, with honors seminars, a case competition, and a 3.6 GPA requirement. Students not chosen as freshmen can apply in the spring of their first year.

Scholars Program: FAQs (Binghamton University)

How does my student get into the Scholars Program?
By invitation only. There’s no application or extra essay, and Admissions makes every decision. Because the program is so small, even some of the strongest admits won’t get an invitation.

Does the Scholars Program come with a scholarship?
No. Scholars are eligible for the one-time $3,500 Scholars Award starting in their second year. Any tuition merit comes separately, through the President’s, Provost’s, Dean’s, or Achievement Scholarships.

What can the $3,500 award pay for?
An approved study abroad program, summer or winter internship, mentored research, community-engaged project, or a trip to present original research at a national or international conference.

Can a business student be a Scholar?
Not if admitted directly to the School of Management, which runs its own PwC Scholars Program. A university Scholar can still add a School of Management double degree later through a guaranteed transfer.

Are Scholars courses harder?
Binghamton says they aren’t meant to be harder. They’re designed to push independent thinking, and they usually satisfy general education requirements.

Sources:
https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/scholars/prospective-students/
https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/scholars/prospective-students/faq.html
https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/scholars/prospective-students/benefits-perks/award-3500/
https://www.binghamton.edu/som/scholars/

⭐ College Specialty

Binghamton is one of SUNY’s four university centers and has been an R1 research university since 2019. It has the feel of a selective private school at a public price. Students are serious, classes move fast, and graduates do well in two areas especially: Wall Street-style business careers and the health and science pipeline.

Nationally Known Program:
School of Management: Binghamton’s business school is known for accounting and finance. The school says it’s the top source of new hires for PwC and EY in New York City, and it’s a leading feeder for all of the Big Four accounting firms. Students manage a real student-run investment portfolio, and the PwC Scholars Program adds honors seminars and a case competition judged at PwC’s New York offices.
  • Biology and Neuroscience (Harpur College): The biggest academic area on campus, at about one in five bachelor’s degrees. It’s popular with pre-med students.
  • Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science: Computer science, computer, electrical, mechanical, biomedical, and industrial engineering, with a five-year BS plus MBA option.
  • Pharmacy: The Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program gives incoming pre-pharmacy students a guaranteed seat in Binghamton’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. That’s rare at a public university.
  • Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Nursing and growing health science programs at the Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City.
  • Psychology and Economics: Two of the most popular majors, and common pre-law and grad school launch pads.
  • College of Community and Public Affairs: Social work, human development, and public administration for students headed into service careers.

✅ Wrapping It Up

Big picture? Binghamton is one of the best deals in the country for a New York family. The bill is about $30,700 a year, and middle-income families may get tuition wiped out by Excelsior. The catch is that nothing beyond that is guaranteed. Merit is real (hundreds of first-years get it every year), but a committee hands it out, so you won’t know your number until the offer lands.

For out-of-state families, it’s a different math problem. You’re looking at roughly $53,500 a year before merit, and even the biggest award stops at the in-state price. Run the Net Price Calculator, compare the real offer side by side with your home flagship, and don’t let the “Public Ivy” reputation make the decision for you.

Either way, the to-do list is short: apply by November 1 if you can, file the FAFSA by January 1, and once your student is enrolled, keep that GPA above 3.0 and the FAFSA current so the second round of scholarships finds them.

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Leo Dimilo
Written by Leo Dimilo
I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me. More about Leo →

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