SUNY Maritime College Scholarships (2025–2026)
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Figuring out a specialized school like SUNY Maritime can feel different from a typical state college. This page pulls the real costs, automatic awards, competitive programs, and hard‑to‑find “hidden gem” funds into one place—plain English, no guesswork. New York families can also check our New York state aid guide, and everyone can browse the full College Scholarships Hub for more options.
- 💰 Cost of Attendance
- ✅ Automatic Merit
- 🏆 Competitive Scholarships
- 💎 Hidden Gems
- ⭐ College Specialty
- 🎖️ Honors College
💰 Cost of Attendance at SUNY Maritime College
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $7,070 + $1,589 = $8,659 | $17,640 + $1,589 = $19,229 |
| Housing & Meals | $16,814 | $16,814 |
| Total (Tuition/Fees + Housing & Meals) | $25,473 | $36,043 |
Note: Additional non-listed costs include:
• Books & Supplies (~$1,500/year)
• Transportation (~$1,200/year)
• Personal Expenses (~$2,400/year)
These are excluded from the table for clarity but are part of the full COA.
- Cadet Appointment Program (CAP): Full in-state tuition for NY residents via legislative nomination—saves ~$7,070/year (~$28,280 over 4 years). Separate application; deadline not listed.
- Excelsior Scholarship: Covers in-state tuition (<$125k AGI, 30 credits/year); separate application via NY-HESC.
Example: A NY student receiving Excelsior would reduce tuition from $7,070 to $0, bringing the total from $25,473 to $18,403.
COA & Program FAQs
Who qualifies? CAP is for NY residents with a legislative nomination. Excelsior is for NY residents meeting income and progress criteria.
How much can you save? Up to ~$7,070 per year in tuition through these state programs.
Apply or automatic? Both require separate applications—CAP via nomination, Excelsior through NY-HESC.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Admitted students are automatically considered for certain merit scholarships—no extra forms or applications needed. While only some awards publish dollar ranges, we’ve included the clearest figures available along with estimated GPA/test score guidance.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norm Manly YMTA Merit Scholarship | $1,000–$5,000 | Incoming students pursuing maritime careers; evaluated on academics and profile | No | Not specified | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.5; SAT 1200+ / ACT 25+; leadership in maritime-related activities |
| Out-of-State Tuition Match | Matches tuition/fees to your state flagship | Residents of CT, PA, NJ, MA, VT, NH, IL, or CA | No | Yes — must maintain good academic standing | Automatic for admitted students from partner states, regardless of GPA/test scores |
*Estimates are based on recent admitted student profiles; official scholarship cutoffs are not published and may vary each year.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply? No—eligibility is determined automatically with your admissions review.
Does SUNY Maritime superscore? Yes—your highest section scores from multiple SAT or ACT test dates are combined for review.
Who are the Out-of-State Match partner states? Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, and California.
Are amounts guaranteed? No—awards are competitive and vary based on the strength of the applicant pool each year.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards have limited spots and require extra steps beyond admission—such as a separate application, nomination, or industry-specific involvement. Winning them usually means having a strong academic record and a standout profile.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norm Manly YMTA Maritime Educational Scholarship | $1,000–$5,000 | Incoming students pursuing maritime careers | Yes — Scholarship Portal | Not specified | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.5; SAT 1200+ / ACT 25+; leadership in maritime-related activities |
| Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Scholarship | $2,500 | Juniors or seniors from PA, NJ, or DE | Yes — apply by April 15 | Not specified | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.3; solid maritime coursework; preference for regional ties |
| Robert N. Herbert Undergraduate Scholarship | Up to $5,000 | Naval architecture or marine engineering majors | Yes — departmental nomination | Not specified | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.5 in major courses; strong faculty recommendations |
| Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship | $2,500 + possible $5,000 WTS International | Women in transportation-related fields | Yes — WTS application | Not specified | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.3; leadership in transportation or related student orgs |
| Trooper Joseph J. Gallagher Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | Open to all; maritime interest preferred | Yes — apply by July 1 | No | *Estimate: GPA ≥3.0; strong service/leadership background |
*Estimates are based on recent admitted student and award recipient profiles; exact scholarship cutoffs are not published and may vary each year.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Why are these competitive? They have limited funds, strict eligibility, and selection committees reviewing applications.
How many are awarded? Most are limited to a small number of students each year, depending on funding.
Tips for applying: Highlight leadership, maritime experience, and relevant coursework. Submit applications well before deadlines.
⭐ College Specialty
Marine Engineering & Merchant Marine Officer Training
Maritime College is renowned as the oldest maritime training school in the U.S., where nearly all undergraduate degrees are aligned with preparation for U.S. Merchant Marine Officer licensing—an immersive blend of academics and real-world seafaring leadership.
Other areas where SUNY Maritime shows strength or recognition at a national level:
- Engineering — Undergraduate Engineering Program: Ranked #49 among best undergraduate engineering programs without doctoral offerings.)
- Business, Management & Marketing: Named the highest-ranked major at Maritime in College Factual’s 2024 program-specific rankings.
- Marine Science & Transportation: Among the most specialized majors at the college, with high concentration compared to national averages.
- Return on Investment (ROI): Consistently ranked among the top five public colleges nationwide for ROI, reflecting strong early- and mid-career earnings.
🎖️ Honors College
SUNY Maritime does not offer a formal Honors College or honors program. However, high-achieving students can still stand out through leadership in the Regiment of Cadets, participation in competitive scholarships, and advanced coursework in their major.
- Serve in leadership roles within the Regiment
- Pursue departmental or donor-funded competitive awards
- Engage in undergraduate research or industry internships
While there’s no honors designation, these opportunities can add significant value to a SUNY Maritime degree and strengthen post-graduation prospects.
Final Thoughts
SUNY Maritime is a niche powerhouse—if your student is drawn to a maritime career, the combination of hands-on training, state aid programs, and specialized scholarships can make it surprisingly affordable. Look beyond the published charts for hidden opportunities, and apply early for any competitive or state programs to maximize savings.
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