New York University Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on October 2, 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: ~9%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 34-35
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1480-1550
  • Average GPA: 3.81

NYU has one of the biggest sticker prices in the country. The 2026-2027 cost of attendance on the New York campus runs just over $100,000 a year once you add housing, food, books and the rest. That number scares a lot of families away before they ever look at what NYU actually charges people like them.

Here is the part that changes the math. Under the NYU Promise, NYU meets 100% of demonstrated need for every first-year student admitted to the New York campus, without expecting the family to borrow. Families with income under $100,000 and typical assets pay no tuition. That applies to domestic and international students alike. What NYU does not have is a merit chart. There are no automatic awards for a GPA or a test score, and only a handful of named programs on top of need-based aid. At NYU, the CSS Profile is the scholarship application that matters.

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

📌 New York University at a Glance

🏆 $0 tuition under $100K income (NYU Promise) + Stern full-tuition and full-ride awards
Average Net Price
$30,325/year
Average paid.
Automatic Merit
None. NYU aid is need-based (NYU Promise)
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
15 opportunities
1 automatic · 4 competitive · 7 hidden gem · 3 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 10 • FAFSA: TBD
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Stern only: Breakthrough (full ride), Berkley (full tuition)
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA & CSS Profile
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at NYU (Read This First)

  • The money deadline is not the application deadline. Early Decision I applications are due November 1, but the CSS Profile is due November 10. Early Decision II is January 1 with aid due January 10. Regular Decision is January 5 with aid due February 1. Families who treat the application date as the finish line can miss the window for the Promise.
  • “$0 tuition” is not “$0 cost.” The Promise income line is about tuition. Food and housing in New York add about $26,438 a year on their own. NYU’s need-based aid can help with housing too, but only to the extent the CSS Profile shows need. Run the numbers on the whole bill, not just tuition.
  • “Typical assets” is the fine print. Home equity, a family business, or investments beyond what is typical for your income can mean paying tuition even when income is under $100,000.
  • Early Decision is binding. If affordability decides whether your student can enroll, get a realistic aid estimate before you commit, not after.
  • The Promise is for first-years only. Transfer students cannot get the Promise or NYU scholarships. The main exceptions are the community college pipeline (CCTOP) and some awards at the School of Professional Studies.
  • No QuestBridge, no Posse, no National Merit money. NYU is not a QuestBridge or Posse partner, and it stopped sponsoring National Merit scholarships in 2011. Families coming from those pipelines should not expect them to apply here.

FAQ

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

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34-35; SAT: 1480-1550.

Average net price? About $30,325/year after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.


Sources:
NYU Stern: Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program: https://stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/vibrant-community/breakthrough-scholars-leadership-program
NYU CAS Presidential Honors Scholars Program: https://nyu.smapply.io/prog/presidential_honors_scholars_program/
CollegeReadyParent NY state aid guide: https://collegereadyparent.org/new-york/
University scholarship page: https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/all-freshmen-applicants/opportunity-programs/admissions.html
NYU First-Year Applicants: Financial Aid and the NYU Promise: https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/applying-as-a-prospective-undergraduate-student/first-year-applicants.html
NYU Stern: Berkley Achievement Scholars Program: https://stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/vibrant-community/berkley-achievement-scholars-program
NYU Admissions: The NYU MLK Scholars: https://meet.nyu.edu/life/the-nyu-mlk-scholars-continuing-dr-kings-legacy/
NYU Tisch: Scholarships and Financial Aid for Study Abroad: https://tisch.nyu.edu/special-programs/study-abroad/study-abroad-scholarships
NYU Bulletin: AnBryce Undergraduate Scholars Seminar: https://bulletins.nyu.edu/undergraduate/culture-education-human-development/courses/sahs-ue/
Stamps Scholars: New York University: https://www.stampsscholars.org/2025/11/20/new-york-university-new-york-ny/
University scholarship page: https://engineering.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid-and-scholarships
NYU Admissions: An NYU Scholarship for First-Year Native American Students: https://meet.nyu.edu/advice/an-nyu-scholarship-for-first-year-native-american-students/
NYU CAS Women in Science (WINS) FAQ: https://cas.nyu.edu/wins/aboutus/frequently-asked-questions.html
University scholarship page: https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/transfer-applicants/cctop.html
NYU SPS: Information for Transfer Students: https://sps.nyu.edu/info/information-for-students/information-for-transfer-students.html
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

💰 Cost of Attendance at New York University: 2026–2027 Rates

Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.

📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest New York 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 $1,900 to $4,800 more than the total below.

✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.

All students: billed cost per year
$95,014
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees $68,576
Housing & meals (typical) $26,438
Total billed cost $95,014

Average federal net price: $30,325 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, 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.

📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options

NYU is a private university, so there is no in-state or out-of-state rate. Every undergraduate on the New York campus is billed the same published tuition no matter where the family lives, and NYU does not take part in regional tuition exchanges.

What actually moves the number is the NYU Promise. For first-year students admitted to the New York campus, NYU meets 100% of demonstrated need without expecting families to borrow, and families with income under $100,000 and typical assets pay no tuition. Two limits matter: the Promise applies to first-year admits only (transfer students are not eligible), and the Abu Dhabi and Shanghai campuses run their own aid programs.

💚 Read This Before You Panic About That Total

The table above is the sticker price. Very few NYU families pay it. Under the NYU Promise, every first-year student admitted to the New York campus has 100% of demonstrated need met with scholarships and grants, and families with income under $100,000 and typical assets pay no tuition.

  • Covers domestic and international first-year students on the New York campus.
  • No separate application. The CSS Profile (NYU code 2785) is how you get reviewed.
  • NYU adjusts Promise scholarships each year to keep up with tuition increases.
  • Housing and other costs can be covered too, based on demonstrated need.
  • Not available to transfer students, and not used at NYU Abu Dhabi or NYU Shanghai, which run their own aid.

The catch worth understanding: “meets 100% of need” means need as NYU calculates it from your CSS Profile, not as your family feels it. Two families with the same income can get very different packages if one owns significant home equity or a business.

Why the average net price above probably overstates what middle-income families pay now

The $30,325 average comes from federal data for 2023-2024. NYU expanded the Promise to its current form starting with the 2024-2025 year, so that figure describes what families paid before the $100,000 tuition line existed. In that same federal data, families earning $30,000 to $75,000 paid an average of roughly $14,000 to $17,000, and families earning $75,001 to $110,000 paid about $32,766. Expect the middle bands to look better in future reporting. Your own CSS Profile, not any average, is what decides your number.

FAQ: Cost of Attendance at New York University

Does NYU charge out-of-state students more?
No. NYU is private, so there is one published tuition rate for everyone on the New York campus. A family in Ohio pays the same sticker price as a family in Queens. What changes your real cost is need-based aid, not your address. New York State residents may also qualify for state grants like TAP, and NYU lists New York State aid among its grant sources.

What is the full cost of attendance for 2026-2027?
NYU’s estimate for the New York campus is about $100,998: tuition and fees of $68,576, food and housing of $26,438, books and supplies of $1,492, transportation of $2,438, and personal expenses of $2,054. Only tuition, fees, housing and a meal plan are billed. The rest are estimates that raise your aid eligibility but never show up on an invoice.

Does tuition depend on which NYU school my student attends?
Yes. The $68,576 figure is NYU’s standard undergraduate estimate, but rates vary by school and program. Tisch School of the Arts, for example, lists tuition of about $75,326 for 2026-2027. Check the bulletin for your student’s specific school before you budget.

If we earn under $100,000, is NYU free?
Tuition is, if your assets are typical for your income and you file on time. Housing, food and personal costs are a separate question. NYU says students can receive additional funds for housing and other expenses based on demonstrated need, so many lower-income families see much more than tuition covered. But “no tuition” and “no cost” are not the same promise, and your aid offer is the only place you will see the full answer.

Will NYU expect us to take out loans?
Not to meet need. NYU says it meets full demonstrated need for first-year students without the expectation that families borrow. Families who want to cover their own expected contribution with loans can still do that, but loans are not part of how NYU fills the gap.

Do international students get the Promise?
Yes. NYU states that the Promise applies to every undergraduate, domestic and international, who started as a first-year student admitted to the New York campus.

Will our cost go up every year?
Sticker tuition rises most years. The good news is that NYU says Promise scholarships are adjusted to meet tuition increases, so a need-based package does not quietly shrink as tuition climbs. You do have to refile financial aid each year, and if your income or assets change, your package can change with them.

Sources:
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/cost-of-attendance.html
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/applying-as-a-prospective-undergraduate-student/first-year-applicants.html
https://bulletins.nyu.edu/undergraduate/arts/cost-attendance/
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=193900

📅 NYU Aid Timeline (Simple Version)

  • November 1: Early Decision I application deadline.
  • November 10: CSS Profile due for Early Decision I. This is the date that puts your student in line for the Promise.
  • December 15: Early Decision I decisions released.
  • January 1 and January 10: Early Decision II application, then the ED II CSS Profile deadline.
  • January 5: Regular Decision application deadline. Also the deadline for students hoping to be considered for HEOP.
  • February 1: CSS Profile due for Regular Decision.
  • February 15 and April 1: Early Decision II and Regular Decision results.
  • June 1: Deadline for Tandon’s FIRST and World Robot Olympiad scholarships, which are applied for after admission.

Parent rule of thumb: put the CSS Profile date for your round on the calendar in red. At NYU it matters more than the application date.

Automatic Aid at New York University: The NYU Promise

Straight talk first: NYU does not have automatic merit scholarships. There is no chart where a 3.9 GPA and a 1500 SAT gets you a guaranteed dollar amount. Tisch says it outright: all of its undergraduate aid is need-based, and it does not offer scholarships based purely on merit.

What NYU has instead is something automatic in a different sense. Every first-year student admitted to the New York campus who files the CSS Profile on time is reviewed for the NYU Promise, with no extra form. That is the one card below, and for most families it is worth more than any merit award they could have chased.

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 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 at an approved NY college; 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, and it travels to private NY colleges. Stacks with Pell and with the college's own aid. Two forms every year: the FAFSA and the TAP application.

💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a New York 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 AidAutomatic
NYU HEOP Package (Opportunity Program)
📅 Deadline: Apply Regular Decision by Jan 5. HEOP aid forms: FAFSA by Feb 15, CSS Profile by Feb 20.
✓ Renews
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based

💡
Strategic Detail
The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a New York State partnership for students who meet state income guidelines and have the potential to succeed but may not meet traditional admission criteria. It is a full support program, not a single scholarship: a HEOP-funded aid package, a required six-week summer program before first year, tutoring and counseling, and a four-year housing guarantee. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and New York State residents.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: New York State residents who meet the state's HEOP income and academic guidelines and are selected after an information session and group interview.
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 New York 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.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
NYU Promise
📅 Deadline: File the CSS Profile by your round's aid deadline: Early Decision I Nov 10, Early Decision II Jan 10, Regular Decision Feb 1.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~All qualifying first-year New York campus admits. winners/yr

💡
Strategic Detail
The NYU Promise is the most important thing to understand about paying for NYU. For first-year students admitted to the New York campus, NYU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through scholarships and grants, without the expectation that families borrow. Families with income under $100,000 and typical assets pay no tuition, and NYU adjusts those scholarships each year to keep pace with tuition increases. It covers domestic and international students alike. The catch is the phrase typical assets: a family with significant home equity, a business, or investments beyond what is typical for their income can still be charged tuition even when income looks modest. Your CSS Profile drives all of it, so treat the aid deadline for your admission round like a hard deadline. It is not a merit award, and it does not stack with a separate pot of merit money, because at NYU the need-based package is the main event. Named scholar programs sit inside it, and outside scholarships are applied to your bill first.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every first-year student admitted to the New York campus who files the CSS Profile on time, domestic or international. Families under $100,000 in income with typical assets pay zero tuition, and every first-year admit has 100% of demonstrated need met through scholarships and grants.
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.

What NYU families actually paid, by income

Federal data for 2023-2024 (full-time, first-time students receiving grant aid) shows the average net price after grants and scholarships:

Family income Average net price
$0 to $30,000$16,977
$30,001 to $48,000$14,017
$48,001 to $75,000$16,862
$75,001 to $110,000$32,766
$110,001 and up$66,876

Two things to notice. First, these numbers are from before the Promise took its current shape in 2024-2025, so the middle rows should improve. Second, even the lowest-income families paid something, because a net price includes housing and living costs, not just tuition. That is the gap between “no tuition” and “no cost” showing up in real data.

Automatic Aid: FAQs (New York University)

Does NYU give any scholarship just for grades or test scores?
No. NYU publishes no GPA or test score cutoffs tied to money. Its named programs, like the Stern awards and the scholar programs, are chosen from the admission file, and they sit on top of need-based eligibility rather than replacing it.

Do I have to apply separately for the NYU Promise?
No. Apply to the New York campus and file the CSS Profile by your round’s deadline: November 10 for Early Decision I, January 10 for Early Decision II, February 1 for Regular Decision. File the FAFSA too if you want federal aid such as a Pell Grant considered.

Does submitting test scores help us get more aid?
Not directly. NYU is test-optional and superscores the SAT and ACT if you send them, but aid at NYU is driven by financial need. Send scores if they strengthen the admission file. They will not unlock a merit tier, because there is no merit tier.

What happens if we miss the CSS Profile deadline?
The Promise depends on submitting your aid application on time, and NYU lists the deadlines by round. Late filers risk losing the guarantee that makes NYU affordable. If you are running late, call the financial aid office before the date passes, not after.

Does the Promise renew all four years?
It is need-based, so it follows your family’s finances. You refile each year, and NYU adjusts its scholarships to keep pace with tuition increases. If your family’s situation stays similar, your support should too.

What if we earn more than $100,000?
The Promise still applies. The $100,000 line is the point where tuition drops to zero. Above it, NYU still meets 100% of your demonstrated need as calculated from the CSS Profile. A family earning $150,000 with two kids in college may still receive substantial aid.

Sources:
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/new-undergrad.html
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/applying-as-a-prospective-undergraduate-student/first-year-applicants.html
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/all-freshmen-applicants.html
https://tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/financial-aid
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=193900

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)

NYU’s competitive awards work differently from most schools. There are no separate scholarship applications, no finalist weekends, and no essay contests for incoming students. Every award below is chosen from your admission file. NYU says admitted students who are eligible for institutional scholarship funding may be offered a spot in a scholar program at the time of admission. In plain English: your Common App essays and activities are your scholarship application, and financial need is usually part of the picture.

The two awards that genuinely change the math both belong to the Stern School of Business. Breakthrough Scholars covers tuition, housing, meals and books, which makes it a true full ride. Berkley Achievement Scholars covers full tuition. Both are selected upon admission to Stern, which means a student has to apply to Stern to be considered. If your student is choosing between Stern and another NYU school, that is worth knowing.

✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at NYU?

Aid Type Stacks? NYU Parent Translation
NYU Promise (need-based) It is the base Everything else is built around it. Your need, as calculated from the CSS Profile, sets the size of the package.
Breakthrough and Berkley (Stern) Replaces These cover tuition (and for Breakthrough, housing, meals and books), so they take the place of that part of your need-based aid rather than adding to it.
Scholar programs (AnBryce, Lenape) Part of the package The value is the cohort, mentoring and programming. The dollars come through your NYU aid package, not as an extra check.
Outside scholarships Counted first NYU applies outside scholarships to your bill before other forms of aid. Total aid can never exceed cost of attendance, so report them early and ask how your package will adjust.
Study away and research grants Usually yes Money for a semester abroad or a research project is for extra costs, so it generally sits on top of your regular package.
Full RideAutomatic
Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program (Stern)
📅 Deadline: Selected upon admission to Stern. No separate application. File the CSS Profile by your round's aid deadline (ED I Nov 10, ED II Jan 10, RD Feb 1).
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
tuition, housing and meal plan, book allowance, plus four-year leadership program
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Very small cohort selected annually. winners/yr

💡
Strategic Detail
Breakthrough Scholars is the biggest single award at NYU. Stern calls it full financial support: tuition, housing and meal plan, and a book allowance, wrapped in a four-year leadership program with mentoring and a tight-knit cohort. It has been running since 2015. Scholars are selected upon admission to Stern, so there is no essay or form to add. Since it covers essentially the full direct cost, it replaces other NYU institutional aid rather than stacking on top of it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A very small group of students admitted to Stern who show strong academics and leadership potential. Stern does not publish an income cutoff or GPA floor.
Full TuitionAutomaticneed based
Berkley Achievement Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Selected upon admission to Stern. No separate application. File the CSS Profile by your round's aid deadline (ED I Nov 10, ED II Jan 10, RD Feb 1).
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition plus coaching, academic support, first-year seminar and career support
✘ Not stackable
⚠  For talented students with financial need from across the United States who are admitted to NYU Stern.
👥 ~Extremely limited cohort selected annually. winners/yr

💡
Strategic Detail
Stern's Berkley Achievement Scholars Program covers full tuition at the Stern School of Business and pairs it with coaching, academic support, a first-year seminar, and career support. The first class started in fall 2022. Students are selected upon admission to Stern, so there is nothing extra to submit. Because it already covers tuition, it replaces the tuition portion of what the NYU Promise would otherwise provide rather than sitting on top of it. Housing and meals are not part of the Berkley award, so those costs are handled by need-based aid around it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students admitted to Stern who combine strong academics with real financial need. NYU describes recipients as talented students with financial need from across the United States. The cohort is small.
Automaticidentity basedneed basedpipelineservice
AnBryce Undergraduate Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Selected at the time of admission. File the CSS Profile by your round's aid deadline (ED I Nov 10, ED II Jan 10, RD Feb 1).
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠  Small cohort of first-generation students with financial need, offered at the time of admission.
👥 ~Small cohort selected each year. winners/yr

💡
Strategic Detail
AnBryce is one of NYU's scholar programs for first-generation students. NYU says admitted students who are eligible for institutional scholarship funding may be offered a place in a scholar program at the time of admission, so AnBryce rides along with your need-based package rather than arriving as a separate check. What makes it valuable is the community: a four-year cohort built around a required AnBryce seminar, mentoring, and leadership. NYU's admissions pages do not publish a dollar amount for the undergraduate program. Families may see full-tuition figures online, but those describe NYU Law's separate AnBryce program, not the undergraduate one.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation college students with strong academic records, real financial need, and a track record of leadership or service. The cohort is small and selected from the admitted pool.
Automatic
Lenape Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Considered through the first-year application. File the CSS Profile by your round's aid deadline (ED I Nov 10, ED II Jan 10, RD Feb 1).
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based

💡
Strategic Detail
The Lenape Scholarship honors the Lenape people, on whose ancestral homeland NYU sits. NYU describes it as a scholarship for incoming first-year students engaged with Native American culture and communities. Members of the Lenape tribal nation receive preference, but NYU says all incoming students are eligible. NYU does not publish an amount, and like its other named awards it becomes part of the overall NYU aid package rather than a separate check on top of it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming first-year students with genuine, demonstrated engagement with Native American culture and communities. Lenape tribal members receive preference.
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.

❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs

How do I apply for Breakthrough or Berkley?
You do not apply separately. Both are selected upon admission to Stern. Apply to NYU with Stern as your school, file the CSS Profile on time, and make sure your essays and activities show the academic strength and leadership Stern is looking for.

Is there a deadline for these competitive awards?
Your admission deadline and your CSS Profile deadline are the only deadlines. NYU does not run a separate scholarship clock for incoming students. For Early Decision I that means November 1 for the application and November 10 for the CSS Profile.

Is the AnBryce Scholarship full tuition?
You will see that claim online, but it comes from NYU Law’s separate AnBryce program for law students. NYU does not publish a dollar amount for the undergraduate AnBryce program. Think of it as a first-generation scholar community that comes with your need-based aid, not as a guaranteed full-tuition award.

What about the Lewis Rudin City Scholarship?
Older scholarship directories list it for New York City public and parochial school graduates. We could not find it on any current NYU page, so we left it off this list. If your student is a New York City public school student, ask NYU admissions directly whether it is still offered.

Is NYU a Stamps Scholarship partner?
Yes, but not for incoming students. NYU’s Stamps program is open to current sophomores, and it funds study abroad, research and internships rather than tuition. You will find it in the honors section below.

Does NYU offer National Merit scholarships?
No. NYU stopped sponsoring National Merit awards in 2011. National Merit Finalists are welcome, but the title does not come with NYU money.

Sources:
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-aid/scholarships-and-grants.html
https://stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/vibrant-community/breakthrough-scholars-leadership-program
https://stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/vibrant-community/berkley-achievement-scholars-program
https://meet.nyu.edu/advice/an-nyu-scholarship-for-first-year-native-american-students/
https://bulletins.nyu.edu/undergraduate/culture-education-human-development/courses/sahs-ue/

🧠 Parent Strategy: NYU’s “After the Acceptance Letter” Money

Most NYU money is decided by the time your student is admitted. The hidden gems are the exceptions, and almost all of them are easy to miss because they show up after admission or after first year.

  1. Going to Tandon? If your student did FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge or the World Robot Olympiad final, apply for the $2,000 award before confirming enrollment. June 1 deadline.
  2. Italian heritage and headed to Tandon? Look at the Romanelli Scholarship. One new freshman a year, and the pool is tiny.
  3. Planning a semester abroad? Keep filing for aid every year. The Global Pathways Scholarship adds up to $4,000 per semester at NYU’s global sites, automatically, based on need.
  4. New York State family with limited income? Read about HEOP before January 5.
  5. Starting at a community college? Check whether your school is one of NYU’s 13 CCTOP partners. It is the main door for transfer students to get NYU money.

Parent translation: these will not change the big number the way the Promise does, but they are the awards families leave on the table because nobody told them to look.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards are small, narrow or timed in ways that make them easy to miss. Several need their own application, and a few are for students already at NYU or transferring in.

Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlyneed based
Global Pathways Scholarship (Study Away)
📅 Deadline: Evaluated automatically when you are admitted to a semester at an NYU global site and have applied for financial aid.
✓ Renews
$4,000
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad

✚
Stacking & Combining
Meant to cover the extra costs of studying away on top of your regular aid package. All aid together cannot exceed cost of attendance.

💡
Strategic Detail
NYU runs one of the largest study away networks in the country, and this is the money that makes a semester abroad realistic for families on a budget. Undergraduates who apply for financial aid and are admitted to a semester at an NYU global site are automatically reviewed for up to $4,000 per semester, based on demonstrated need, through the NYU Office of Financial Aid. No extra application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any NYU undergraduate with demonstrated need who is admitted to a semester at an NYU global academic center.
App Requiredheritageneed based
Nicholas and Angelica Romanelli Endowed Scholarship (Tandon)
📅 Deadline: Tandon does not publish a deadline. Apply after admission and before you confirm enrollment.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠  Requires academic excellence, financial need, and a connection to Italy.
👥 ~One new first-year student each year. winners/yr

📄
How to Apply
Complete Tandon's application form for the Romanelli Scholarship after admission. Make your connection to Italy and your financial need clear.

💡
Strategic Detail
An endowed scholarship at NYU Tandon for one incoming first-year student each year who shows academic excellence, financial need, and a connection to Italy. Once chosen, the recipient is supported throughout their time at NYU. Tandon does not list an amount. It is narrow, but for the right family it is a real opening, because the applicant pool is tiny.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: One incoming Tandon engineering student per year with strong academics, financial need, and Italian heritage or another clear connection to Italy.
App Required
FIRST Scholarship (Tandon)
📅 Deadline: June 1
Non-Renewable
$2,000
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based

✚
Stacking & Combining
NYU does not publish a stacking rule for this award. Expect it to count toward your total aid, which cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

📄
How to Apply
After admission to Tandon, complete a short application and submit one letter of recommendation before you confirm your decision to enroll. The deadline is June 1 each year.
Selection criteria: Recognition-based award for robotics participation and admission to Tandon.
💌 Letters of Rec

💡
Strategic Detail
A one-time $2,000 award from NYU Tandon for students who have competed on a high school FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge team. It is small, but almost nobody applies for it because it comes after admission, right when families stop looking.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students admitted to Tandon who were on a high school FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge team.
App Required
World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Alumni Scholarship (Tandon)
📅 Deadline: June 1
Non-Renewable
$2,000
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based

✚
Stacking & Combining
NYU does not publish a stacking rule for this award. Expect it to count toward your total aid, which cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

📄
How to Apply
After admission to Tandon, complete a short application and submit one letter of recommendation before you confirm your decision to enroll. The deadline is June 1 each year.
Selection criteria: Recognition award for WRO participation and admission to Tandon.
💌 Letters of Rec

💡
Strategic Detail
A one-time award of up to $2,000 from NYU Tandon for students who competed in the World Robot Olympiad international final. Like the FIRST award, it is applied for after admission.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: NYU Tandon engineering admits who previously participated in the World Robot Olympiad international final and complete required verification.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Women in Science (WINS) Program
📅 Deadline: Spring application window for rising sophomores (recently mid-April to early June).
✓ Renews (3 GPA)
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Core group of WINS Scholars selected each year. winners/yr🎓 Sophomore

✚
Stacking & Combining
A modest scholarship plus research support. It is small enough to sit alongside other NYU aid, though all aid together cannot exceed cost of attendance.

📄
How to Apply
Apply during the spring of the first year at CAS to join as a sophomore. Once in, scholars stay research-active, apply for a Dean's Undergraduate Research Fund grant, and present at a spring conference.
Selection criteria: Selection based on academic achievement, research interest, future plans in STEM, and commitment to inclusion in STEM fields.
✎ Essays

💡
Strategic Detail
Women in Science (WINS) is a College of Arts and Science program that pairs a modest annual scholarship with research mentoring and a supportive cohort. NYU does not publish the scholarship amount. Students join as sophomores, so this is a second-year opportunity, not something to plan an incoming budget around. Staying in requires a 3.0 GPA, active research, and presenting at a spring conference.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-year CAS students heading into STEM who want structured research experience and mentoring, and who commit to staying research-active.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) Scholarship
📅 Deadline: CCTOP transfer application deadlines as specified by NYU.
✓ Renews
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 Transfer

📄
How to Apply
Get nominated by a faculty member or administrator at a partner community college, then complete the NYU transfer application and CCTOP process. Check the partner list on NYU's CCTOP page first.
Selection criteria: Evaluation based on GPA, credits earned at a partner school, nomination strength, and overall transfer application quality.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec

💡
Strategic Detail
CCTOP is NYU's pipeline for students at 13 partner community colleges, and it is the main exception to the rule that transfer students cannot get NYU scholarships. Students must be nominated by a faculty member or administrator at their community college. Funding is need-based and varies by NYU school: the School of Professional Studies lists up to $7,500 per year, while Steinhardt says its CCTOP awards cover 50% of need, which can exceed $30,000. Eligibility does not guarantee an award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong students at NYU's partner community colleges who earn a nomination from their college and have demonstrated financial need.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Achieve Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Considered with the SPS transfer application. Apply as early as possible.
✓ Renews
Varies
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Limited number of Achieve Scholarships awarded each year. winners/yr🎓 Transfer

💡
Strategic Detail
The Achieve Scholarship is offered by NYU's School of Professional Studies to high-achieving transfer students who have completed an associate degree at a community college. SPS does not publish an amount or GPA cutoff.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Community college graduates with an associate degree and a strong academic record transferring into an SPS bachelor's program.
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

Can transfer students get NYU scholarships?
Mostly no. NYU says transfer students are not eligible for NYU scholarships, grants or the Promise. The exceptions are CCTOP for students from partner community colleges and certain awards at the School of Professional Studies, like the Achieve Scholarship for associate degree graduates.

What is HEOP, and does my student qualify?
The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program is a New York State partnership for residents who meet state income guidelines and show strong potential. It comes with a HEOP-funded aid package, a required six-week summer program, tutoring, counseling and guaranteed housing for four years. There is no separate application. Apply Regular Decision by January 5, and NYU invites eligible students to an information session and group interview.

Do Tisch or Steinhardt have their own scholarships?
Tisch has many named donor scholarships, but they are folded into its need-based aid automatically. Tisch says no further applications are required. Steinhardt says its aid weighs both need and merit, but it does not publish a separate first-year scholarship list. In both cases, the CSS Profile is what gets you considered.

Can ROTC help pay for NYU?
Yes, through federal ROTC scholarships rather than NYU money. NYU students do Army ROTC through Fordham University and Air Force ROTC through Manhattan University under “crosstown” arrangements. Apply for the ROTC scholarship through the military branch, ideally in junior or senior year of high school.

Does NYU take part in the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans and military families?
Yes, but the amount depends on the NYU school. The School of Professional Studies, for example, lists $10,000 from NYU matched by $10,000 from the VA. Check with NYU’s military and veterans office for your student’s specific school.

What about study abroad money beyond Global Pathways?
Steinhardt lists additional study away awards, including a $1,500 per semester merit scholarship and a $3,000 need-based grant for its students. National programs like the Gilman Scholarship are also open to NYU students who receive a Pell Grant.

Sources:
https://engineering.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid-and-scholarships
https://tisch.nyu.edu/special-programs/study-abroad/study-abroad-scholarships
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/programs/study-abroad/study-abroad-scholarships/undergraduate-study-abroad-scholarships
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/all-freshmen-applicants/opportunity-programs/admissions.html
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/transfer-applicants/cctop.html
https://tisch.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/financial-aid
https://meet.nyu.edu/life/communities-and-clubs/rotc-at-nyu/

Honors Programs at New York University

NYU does not have a university-wide honors college.

There is no honors application to send in with your regular one, and no honors scholarship pool. What NYU has instead are honors and leadership programs inside individual schools, and most of them are earned on campus rather than won on the way in. None of them pay tuition. Their value is the community, the faculty access, and the funding for research and travel they open up.

College of Arts and Science: Presidential Honors Scholars

The top 10% of each entering CAS class is invited automatically, with no application. Current CAS students can also apply each spring. Scholars take honors seminars, attend lectures, and work toward a senior thesis, and they need a 3.65 GPA by senior year to finish with the designation. The money angle is research: CAS students can apply for Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund grants of up to $1,250 per project, and that fund is open to every CAS student, not just honors scholars.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program

MLK Scholars is NYU’s honors and leadership community for incoming students who combine excellent academics with real leadership and service. It includes a dedicated seminar, domestic and international travel, and community service partnerships. It does not come with its own tuition award. What it does bring is access to funding for study abroad and research on top of your regular aid. Applicants are considered through the regular admission process.

Stamps Scholars (sophomore year)

NYU is a Stamps partner, but Stamps here is a sophomore award, not a high school one. Students with at least a 3.2 GPA and a strong record of leadership and service apply in their second year, and scholars receive up to $15,000 for study abroad, research, unpaid internships and conferences.

Automatic
CAS Presidential Honors Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Incoming students: invitation only, no application. Current CAS students: spring application window (recently March to late May).
✓ Renews (3.65 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.7+ GPA

✚
Stacking & Combining
There is no tuition award to collide with. Research grants pay for research expenses, so they sit on top of your NYU aid package.

💡
Strategic Detail
Presidential Honors Scholars is the honors program of NYU's College of Arts and Science. The top 10% of each entering CAS class is invited automatically, and current CAS students can apply in the spring. It is an academic program, not a scholarship: honors seminars, lectures, a senior thesis track, and close faculty contact. The money angle is research funding. CAS students can apply for Dean's Undergraduate Research Fund grants of up to $1,250 per project, and that fund is open to all CAS students, not only Presidential Honors Scholars. Scholars need a 3.65 GPA by senior year to finish with the honors designation.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
The top 10% of entering College of Arts and Science students, invited automatically, plus continuing CAS students with outstanding grades who apply in the spring.
Automatic
Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Considered through the first-year application to the New York campus. Follow your admission round's deadline.
✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Highly selective cohort selected each year. winners/yr

✚
Stacking & Combining
Because the program carries no tuition award of its own, nothing gets replaced. The study away grants, research funding and travel attached to the program sit on top of your need-based package.

💡
Strategic Detail
NYU's MLK Scholars Program is an honors and leadership community, not a tuition scholarship. Scholars take a dedicated seminar, travel domestically and internationally, do community service, and get connected to funding for study abroad and research. Any tuition help comes from your regular need-based aid. Scholars keep their place with a 3.5 GPA, according to the NYU Bulletin.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming first-year students with excellent academics, distinguished leadership, and a real record of community service and social justice work. Selection is competitive and holistic.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Stamps Scholars at NYU
📅 Deadline: Applications open to current NYU sophomores. Check the NYU Stamps page each year for the window.
Non-Renewable
$15,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.2+ GPA👥 ~Small cohort selected each year. winners/yr🎓 Sophomore

✚
Stacking & Combining
This is enrichment money, not tuition money, so it sits on top of your NYU aid package.

📄
How to Apply
Apply during sophomore year through NYU's Stamps process. Expect essays and a selective review.
✎ Essays

💡
Strategic Detail
NYU is a Stamps Scholars partner, but not the way most families picture it. You cannot win Stamps as a high school senior. It is open to current NYU sophomores (roughly 32 to 63 credits) with at least a 3.2 GPA and a record of leadership and service. Scholars receive up to $15,000 to spend on study abroad, research, unpaid internships, conferences, and leadership training.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: NYU sophomores with strong grades and a clear record of leadership, service, and creating change on or off campus.
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.
What to do with this if honors mattered to you
  • Do not go looking for an NYU honors application. It does not exist for incoming students.
  • Let the Common App essays carry leadership and service clearly. That is how MLK Scholars are chosen.
  • In first year, aim for strong grades and a faculty relationship. Presidential Honors, WINS and Stamps all open up after year one.
  • Treat research grants as real money. Up to $1,250 per project can pay for summer research costs that would otherwise come out of pocket.

Honors: FAQs (New York University)

Is there an honors application for incoming freshmen?
No. Presidential Honors Scholars invites the top 10% of entering CAS students automatically, and MLK Scholars is considered through the regular application. Neither requires a separate form.

Do NYU honors programs come with scholarships?
Not tuition scholarships. They come with programming, faculty access, and access to funding for research, study abroad and travel. Tuition help at NYU comes from need-based aid.

Can my student join an honors program after starting at NYU?
Yes. Current CAS students can apply to Presidential Honors Scholars in the spring, sophomores can apply for Stamps, and many NYU schools run senior honors or thesis programs. Stern’s Senior Honors Program, for example, is a two-semester thesis track for strong seniors. It is an academic program and does not carry a scholarship.

Why does this page say “Honors College” in some search results?
Search engines often label any honors offering that way. NYU’s own materials describe honors programs within individual schools, and there is no university-wide honors college.

Sources:
https://nyu.smapply.io/prog/presidential_honors_scholars_program/
https://studentresearchandfunding.nyu.edu/prog/research_grants_deans_undergraduate_research_fund_durf/
https://meet.nyu.edu/life/the-nyu-mlk-scholars-continuing-dr-kings-legacy/
https://www.stampsscholars.org/2025/11/20/new-york-university-new-york-ny/
https://www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/academics/research-opportunities

⭐ College Specialty

NYU is less one college than a collection of schools that share a city. Your student applies to a specific school inside NYU, and that choice shapes the classes, the cost, and even the scholarships available. Business at Stern, film and theater at Tisch, engineering at Tandon in Brooklyn, and the liberal arts at the College of Arts and Science each have their own culture and their own reputation.

The other thing that sets NYU apart is that the campus has no walls. Classrooms sit around Washington Square Park, internships are a subway ride away, and NYU runs full campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai plus study away sites around the world. For a student who wants the city to be part of the education, few schools compete.

Nationally Known Program:
Stern School of Business is one of the best-known undergraduate business programs in the country, with direct access to Wall Street and New York’s corporate world. Students apply to Stern directly as freshmen. It is also where NYU’s two biggest scholarships live: Breakthrough Scholars (a full ride) and Berkley Achievement Scholars (full tuition), both chosen from Stern’s admitted students.
  • Tisch School of the Arts: Film, drama, dance, music and design training in the middle of New York’s arts world. Many programs require a portfolio or audition, and tuition runs higher than NYU’s standard rate.
  • Tandon School of Engineering: NYU’s engineering school in Downtown Brooklyn, with its own small scholarships for robotics students that most families never hear about.
  • College of Arts and Science: The liberal arts core of NYU, home to the Presidential Honors Scholars program, strong pre-health and pre-law tracks, and research funding open to every CAS student.
  • Rory Meyers College of Nursing: A large, well-regarded nursing school with clinical placements across New York City.
  • Steinhardt: Music, education, and applied health programs such as communicative sciences and nutrition, plus extra study away awards for its students.
  • Courant Institute: NYU’s mathematics and computer science powerhouse, a strong draw for students who want math or data work at a research level.
  • Gallatin School of Individualized Study: A school where students design their own concentration, a good fit for self-directed students whose interests do not fit one major.
Two things to know before you fall in love with the city

The school you pick inside NYU matters for money. Stern’s full-ride and full-tuition awards are only for Stern admits. Tandon’s robotics scholarships are only for Tandon. Tisch charges more. Choose the school for the right academic reasons, but know what each one means for the bill.

New York living costs are real. NYU estimates food and housing at about $26,438 a year. Even when the Promise covers tuition, budget honestly for the rest, and look closely at what your aid offer covers beyond tuition.


✅ Wrapping It Up

NYU is the clearest example on this site of a school where the sticker price and the real price live in different worlds. The published cost of attendance is about $101,000 a year. Yet NYU meets 100% of demonstrated need for every first-year admit on the New York campus, does not expect families to borrow to close the gap, and charges no tuition to families under $100,000 with typical assets. There is no merit chart to chase. For most families, that is fine, because the need-based track is the bigger prize.

If you take three things away, take these. First, the CSS Profile deadline for your round (November 10, January 10 or February 1) is the most important date in the process, not the application date. Second, pick the right school inside NYU on purpose, because Stern’s full-ride and full-tuition awards are only for Stern, and Tisch costs more. Third, budget for New York. Free tuition is a huge deal, but food and housing still run about $26,000 a year, and your aid offer is the only place you will see how much of that NYU covers.

And keep looking after the acceptance letter. Tandon’s robotics awards close June 1, study away grants come automatically to families who keep filing for aid, and the honors and research money at NYU mostly opens up after the first year. A strong first year on campus is its own scholarship application here.

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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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