⚓ SUNY Maritime College Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See New York state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive scholarships for cadets and civilian students
- State programs like Excelsior and legislative CAP awards
- How out-of-state tuition matching works for select states
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~80% (Fall 2024)
- Average Freshman GPA: ~3.3
- Middle 50% SAT: 1100–1290
- Middle 50% ACT: 22–26
Source: third-party summaries of SUNY Maritime admissions data; see Sources below.
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SUNY Maritime College at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
SUNY Maritime College is a specialized public institution where students prepare for leadership at sea and ashore. Scholarships hinge on major, licensing track, and leadership potential, with notable tuition-coverage options for New York residents.
Many cadets secure automatic merit or state aid, while the biggest tuition reductions typically come from the Cadet Appointment Program (CAP) and New York’s Excelsior Scholarship. Out-of-state families should also review the SUNY Tuition Match initiative for select states.
FAQ
Does SUNY Maritime offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — admitted students with strong academic profiles are automatically considered for institutional merit; amounts vary by program and year.
What’s the average net price? Around $22,118 per year after grants and scholarships (recent estimate).
Are there full-tuition or full-ride options? Yes — CAP (legislative nomination, NY residents) and Excelsior (tuition after other aid) can fully cover tuition for eligible students.
Can out-of-state students get in-state rates? Some can — the SUNY Tuition Match offers in-state tuition to residents of select states (program details vary by year).
• SUNY Maritime — Cadet Appointment Program (CAP): apply.sunymaritime.edu/portal/capscholarship
• NYS HESC — Excelsior Scholarship: hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/excelsior-scholarship-program
• SUNY — Tuition Match (select states): suny.edu/smarttrack/tuition-match/
• Niche — SUNY Maritime admissions overview (test-optional, SAT/ACT ranges): niche.com/colleges/suny-maritime-college/admissions/
• Research.com — Acceptance rate & testing profile: research.com/best-colleges/suny-maritime-college/admissions
• CollegeData — GPA context: collegedata.com (SUNY Maritime profile)
• TuitionTracker — Average net price estimate: tuitiontracker.org/schools/suny-maritime-college-196291
💰 Cost of Attendance at SUNY Maritime College (2025–2026)
SUNY Maritime’s costs are competitive for a specialized maritime college, especially for New York residents. The numbers below reflect the main billed expenses (tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals) before any financial aid or scholarships.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $8,900 | $19,800 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus) | $17,100 | $17,100 |
| Estimated Total (table items only) | $26,000 | $36,900 |
Note: Totals above include only tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. Other common expenses—such as books (~$1,500), transportation (~$1,180), and personal expenses (~$1,770)— are excluded for clarity but appear in the university’s full financial-aid budget.
- Cadet Appointment Program (CAP): Legislative nomination for NY residents; covers in-state tuition (~$7,070 portion).
- Excelsior Scholarship: Covers in-state tuition (after other aid) for eligible NY residents; separate HESC application and 30 credits/year required.
- SUNY Tuition Match (select states): Some out-of-state residents qualify for in-state tuition rates depending on program/year.
Example: A NY resident qualifying for Excelsior could reduce the in-state total from $26,000 to roughly $18,900 (tuition portion covered; fees still apply).
• SUNY Maritime — Estimated All Charges 2025–2026 (tuition, fees, room, meal plans).
• NYS HESC — Excelsior Scholarship program details.
• SUNY — Tuition Match overview (select states).
• SUNY Smart Track / system estimates (books, transportation, personal).
• TuitionTracker — Net price estimate.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Admitted students are automatically considered for certain merit scholarships—no extra forms needed. While not all awards publish hard cutoffs, the table below uses the most current data and best estimates for GPA/test scores.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norm Manly YMTA Merit Scholarship | $1,000–$5,000 | Incoming student pursuing maritime careers, academics, and leadership in maritime activities | No | Not specified (check yearly award letter) | Estimate: GPA ≥3.5, SAT 1200+, ACT 25+, maritime/leadership involvement | Auto w/ admission; rolling |
| Out-of-State Tuition Match | Matches in-state tuition/fees to your state flagship | Residents of CT, PA, NJ, MA, VT, NH, IL, CA | No | Yes—maintain good academic standing | All admitted students from those partner states (GPA/test not required) | Auto w/ admission; rolling |
*Information reflects 2025 admissions cycle; some criteria and award levels may vary by year and funding.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply for these? No—admission triggers consideration.
Does SUNY Maritime superscore? Yes—highest SAT or ACT section scores from multiple sittings are considered for admission and merit.
Who are the Out-of-State Match partner states? CT, PA, NJ, MA, VT, NH, IL, and CA (subject to update each year).
Are awards guaranteed? No—merit is competitive and amounts may change depending on funding and the applicant pool.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards are limited and require extra steps beyond admission—such as a separate application, nomination, or industry-specific involvement. Winning means having a strong academic record and a standout leadership or maritime/STEM background.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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+; maritime activity leadership | Varies; opens in fall |
| Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Scholarship | $2,500 | Juniors or seniors from PA, NJ, or DE, maritime coursework | Yes — apply by April 15 | Not specified | Estimate: GPA ≥3.3; preference for regional ties | April 15 |
| 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; strong recommendations | Spring (varies) |
| Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship | $2,500 + possible $5,000 WTS International | Women in transportation-related majors | Yes — WTS app | Not specified | Estimate: GPA ≥3.3; leadership in transport/student orgs | Fall (WTS deadline) |
| 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 leadership/service | July 1 |
*Estimates are based on profiles of recent recipients, SUNY Maritime’s official site, and scholarship databases. All data current as of fall 2025.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Why are these competitive? Limited spots, nomination processes, and rigorous eligibility standards.
How many are awarded each year? Typically a small number per award—final number and awardees depend on funding and sponsor criteria.
Tips for applying: Highlight maritime/STEM involvement, leadership roles, and meet all deadlines early.
🎖️ Honors College
SUNY Maritime does not have a formal Honors College or undergraduate honors track. However, standout students can build a strong résumé through advanced coursework, cadet leadership, research, and competitive awards.
- Serve in leadership roles within the Regiment of Cadets
- Apply for departmental or donor-funded competitive scholarships and fellowships
- Engage in undergraduate research/engineering projects or industry internships
While SUNY Maritime offers no formal “honors” designation, high-performing students often earn recognition through these avenues, strengthening both their résumé and post-graduation options.
⭐ 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.