Stony Brook University Scholarships | Merit Aid & Financial Help at SUNY Stony Brook

🎓 Stony Brook University Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic merit and need-based scholarships
  • Competitive and departmental awards
  • Honors College scholarships and state aid programs

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~49% (Fall 2024)
  • Academic Profile (GPA): 90–96 (100-point scale; ≈3.7+ on 4.0)
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1340–1480
  • Middle 50% ACT: 29–33

Source: Stony Brook Undergraduate Admissions (Test-Optional Profile, Fall 2024).

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

📌

Stony Brook University at a Glance

Average Net Price
$18,601
Average after grants and scholarships (BigFuture)
Automatic Merit
$2,000–$8,000 per year
Presidential and Provost awards (auto-considered)
Typical Qualifiers
Rigor • GPA ≈ 90–96 • SAT 1400+ • ACT 31+
Top 15% of admitted students often qualify for top awards
Testing Policy
Test-optional (2025 cycle)
Scores considered if submitted
Key Deadlines
Jan 15: Priority • Feb 1: FAFSA Priority
Merit awards often tied to early submission
Honors & Scholars
Honors College • University Scholars • WISE
Small cohorts, mentorship, and added funding
Full Tuition / Full Ride
Simons STEM Scholars Program
Full tuition, housing, meals + research support
Residency & Aid
SUNY In-State Advantage
Excelsior & TAP can stack with institutional merit
Verified from Stony Brook University Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–26). Last verified: October 15, 2025

Stony Brook University is one of New York’s top public research institutions—and one of the best values in the SUNY system. Strong STEM, health sciences, and pre-med students can earn automatic or competitive scholarships that significantly reduce the cost of attendance.

In-state students often stack university merit with New York’s Excelsior Scholarship and TAP Grant, while out-of-state students with top GPAs or research interests may qualify for substantial merit or Honors-level funding.

FAQ

Does Stony Brook offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — top students are automatically considered for Presidential, Provost, and Honors-level awards.

What’s the average net price? About $18,601 per year after grants and scholarships (College Board BigFuture).

Are there full-tuition or full-ride awards? Yes — the Simons STEM Scholars Program covers full tuition, housing, meals, and more for eligible STEM majors.

Can New York state aid stack with Stony Brook scholarships? Yes — students can combine Excelsior, TAP, and institutional merit aid.

Sources:
[1] Stony Brook University Tuition & Costs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/cost-and-aid/tuition-costs.php
[2] Stony Brook University Test-Optional Admissions — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/test-optional.php
[3] Stony Brook Honors & Scholars Programs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/academics/honors.php
[4] Simons STEM Scholars Program Benefits — stonybrook.edu/commcms/simonsscholars/prospective/program-benefits.php
[5] College Board BigFuture — bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/suny-university-at-stony-brook/tuition-and-costs
[6] CRP New York State Aid Guide — /new-york/

💰 Cost of Attendance at Stony Brook University (2025–2026)

Stony Brook remains one of the nation’s most affordable flagship research universities for New York residents. For out-of-state families, the sticker price is higher—but strong students can bring costs down through merit-based and departmental scholarships, especially in STEM fields.

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $11,008 $34,984
Housing & Meals (on-campus) $19,044 $19,044
Estimated Total (table items only) $30,052 $54,028

Note: Figures include tuition, fees, housing, and meals only. Books, transportation, and personal expenses—typically adding about $7,800 per year combined—are excluded for simplicity. Optional health-insurance premiums are also not shown.

📉 Average Net Price (after aid): approximately $18,601 per year based on the latest federal data. This represents what full-time undergraduates actually paid after grants and scholarships—no loans included.
🌎 Residency & Merit Aid: Stony Brook does not participate in regional tuition reciprocity programs. However, high-achieving out-of-state students—particularly those in STEM majors—may qualify for significant merit or departmental scholarships that offset nonresident tuition.
Sources:
[1] Stony Brook University Tuition & Costs — stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/cost-and-aid/tuition-costs.php
[2] Stony Brook Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (Cost Estimate PDF) — stonybrook.edu/commcms/finaid/pdfs/cost_estimate.pdf
[3] College Board BigFuture — bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/suny-university-at-stony-brook/tuition-and-costs

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Stony Brook is test-optional. Merit scholarship decisions are mostly based on GPA and course rigor (AP, IB, Honors). There are no public cutoff charts, but students with a 3.7+ GPA and challenging coursework are top contenders.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Stony Brook Merit Scholarship $1,000–$10,000/year 3.7+ GPA, strong AP/IB/honors/dual enrollment; test-optional; SAT/ACT may help if 1350+/30+ No (auto w/ admission) Yes (GPA & full-time, up to 4 yrs) In-state and OOS w/ 3.7+ GPA, top 15%; top awards: 3.9+/1400+ SAT/top 5% Jan 15 (Reg.); Nov 1 (EA best)
Presidential Scholarship Full tuition (rare) 3.9+ GPA, top 5% class, 1450+ SAT/33+ ACT, leadership, possible National Merit No (auto, selective) Yes (meet honors requirements) Top 1–2%, AP/IB/dual enrollment, honors invites Jan 15 (Nov 1 best)
National Merit Scholarship – Stony Brook $3,000–$5,000/year National Merit Finalist, SBU top choice No (auto w/ NMSC) Yes (4 years, keep eligibility) Enrolled National Merit Finalists NMSC deadlines (Feb–Mar)
  • Most merit awards go to students with a 3.7+ GPA and advanced coursework.
  • The highest awards (up to $10,000/yr or full tuition) go to 3.9+ GPA, top class rank, and test scores above 1400 SAT/30 ACT if submitted.
  • Out-of-state students may get the largest awards to help cover tuition gaps, but not all top applicants are funded.

No separate application required—just apply for admission by the deadline. Not all excellent students receive awards, and amounts can change each year.

🎯 Automatic Merit FAQ

Is the scholarship guaranteed if I meet the GPA?
No—Stony Brook does not guarantee awards based on GPA alone. Merit aid is competitive and dependent on the applicant pool.

Do I need to submit SAT or ACT scores?
No—Stony Brook is test-optional. Send scores if they’re strong and may push you into a higher award tier.

Do I have to apply separately for scholarships?
No—all applicants are automatically considered when applying for first-year admission by posted deadlines.

Are scholarships renewable?
Most merit offers are renewable for up to 4 years with continued full-time enrollment and GPA standards (typically 3.0+).

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

Stony Brook offers very few named competitive scholarships outside of its Honors College and major-specific awards. The Presidential Scholarship is the most well-known and selective award—and usually goes to top applicants.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Presidential Scholarship Full in-state tuition
(plus possible stipend)		 3.9+ GPA, AP/IB coursework, top 5% class; test scores optional but 1400+ SAT/31+ ACT helps No (automatic review) Yes (meet honors/academic standards) Top 1–3% of applicants with near-perfect transcripts and advanced coursework (selective for both in-state and OOS) Jan 15 (Reg); Nov 1 (EA best)

🎯 Competitive Scholarship FAQ

What makes these scholarships competitive?
The Presidential is reserved for a tiny group of students—usually with 3.9+ GPA, AP/IB classes, and a high class rank. Even many high-achieving applicants do not receive this award.

Is it worth applying if there’s no separate application?
Yes—application review is automatic. Students have the best odds when they apply early, submit strong materials, and respond quickly if invited to Honors.

How can I increase my chances?
Aim for a 3.9+ GPA, advanced courses, and (optionally) a 1400+ SAT/31+ ACT. Competitive activities, leadership, and applying by Early Action help—especially for OOS applicants.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Stony Brook’s best scholarships don’t always show on the admissions page. Departmental, Foundation, ROTC, and work-based opportunities often require extra outreach, a FAFSA, or major/program participation.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Departmental Scholarships $500–$5,000 Majors: engineering, business, health sciences, STEM fields Yes—usually spring, via department Varies by award Students who ask departments and maintain a strong GPA (apply early!) Spring; sometimes fall or by department
ROTC Scholarships Full tuition + monthly stipend Army ROTC; must enroll and commit to service Yes—national and campus cycle Yes (all 4 years if standards met) Cadets who apply early and meet military/academic guidelines Dec–Feb (national ROTC cycle)
Stony Brook Foundation Scholarships $1,000–$4,000 Requires FAFSA; can be need, major, or background based Yes—after admission, separate apps Yes (most) FAFSA filers, first-gen, underrepresented, active spring scholarship searchers Mar–Apr (review in spring after start)
Bridge, Leadership, Campus Stipends $400–$2,000/yr (not a formal “scholarship”) Participation in EOP, peer mentor, summer bridge, resident advisor, or research/tutoring roles Yes—program/position app Usually not; some year-to-year renewal Students who are proactive and apply for on-campus paid roles or enrichment programs Varies (check each program early)
Not all funding at Stony Brook comes as traditional scholarships. Watch for paid mentorship, research, RA, or peer support roles that can significantly reduce your costs—even if they’re not labeled “aid” in the standard database.

🎯 Hidden Gem FAQ

Where do I find these scholarships?
File the FAFSA early, then check with your academic department and the SBU Foundation site. Spring is a key time for applications.

Do I need to be in Honors to win these?
No—most hidden gem awards are open to all who meet the qualifications and apply early.

Are there awards for first-gen, transfer, or underrepresented students?
Yes—many Stony Brook Foundation and donor funds prioritize these groups. Look for essays or department nomination requirements.

📘 Honors College at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook’s Honors College offers a small cohort experience, priority advising, and academic perks—but it does not automatically include extra scholarship funding. Top applicants may get higher merit, but there’s no dedicated Honors award.

Honors College admission is highly selective and by invitation during application review. Most students accepted have a 3.9+ GPA and advanced coursework. Some receive higher merit offers, but there’s no automatic Honors scholarship.
Program Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Stony Brook Honors College No automatic award First-year admits with 3.9+ GPA, advanced curriculum, and strong application No (invitation only) N/A Top applicants seeking small classes, research, and learning community Jan 15 (apply for admission)
Thinking about Honors? You’ll get:
  • ✅ Small, seminar classes and close faculty contact
  • ✅ Priority course registration & advising
  • ✅ Honors housing in a Living-Learning Community
  • ✅ Early access to research and faculty mentorship
  • ✅ Support for fellowships, grad school, and thesis work

🎯 Honors College FAQ

Does Honors include a scholarship?
No, there is no dedicated Honors College scholarship. Honors students may get larger merit offers, but there’s no extra funding just for membership.

Is it worth joining if it doesn’t save money?
If you want close mentoring, research, and an intellectual community, it’s a great fit. It is not a financial aid program.

How selective is Honors?
Very—typical admits have a near-perfect GPA, rigorous classes, and a strong all-around application. Admission is by invitation only during the main review.

💬 Final Thoughts

Stony Brook University has earned its reputation as one of the most rigorous and research-driven campuses in the SUNY system. With nationally ranked programs in health sciences, engineering, and computer science, Stony Brook gives students the tools and experience to compete anywhere. For families, its combination of affordable tuition, strong merit scholarships, and excellent career outcomes makes it a top-tier public value. If your student is ready for academic challenge in a supportive, opportunity-rich environment, Stony Brook delivers.

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