SUNY Maritime College Scholarships & Tuition Guide 2026-2027

SUNY Maritime College Scholarships (2026–2027)

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Last Updated on March 31, 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: ~80%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 25
  • Middle 50% SAT: 1200
  • Average GPA: 3.3

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

📌 SUNY Maritime College at a Glance

🏆 Full Tuition Opportunity Available
Average Net Price
$22,118/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$1,000–$5,000/yr
No separate application.
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3.5+; ACT 25+ / SAT 1200+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Jan 15 • FAFSA: Feb 15
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Available for top qualifiers
Residency & Waivers
suny_tuition_match

SUNY Maritime is one of those schools that looks straightforward on the surface—but the money side depends heavily on the path your student chooses. If they’re going into the cadet/licensing track, the biggest savings often come from programs like CAP or state-based aid, not just standard merit. If they’re a civilian student, automatic merit is still in play—but it’s usually more modest and tied closely to GPA and test scores.

The families who do best here are the ones who understand the structure early—how cadet status, state residency, and program choice all affect cost. This isn’t a “set it and forget it” scholarship school. It rewards students who are intentional about their path, hit deadlines, and stack the right pieces together. Use the guide below to map that out before you apply—not after.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes — SUNY Maritime College is test-optional.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 25; SAT: 1200.

Average net price? About $22,118/yearyear after aid.

Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in suny_tuition_match.


Sources:
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

💰 Cost of Attendance at SUNY Maritime College 2026-2027

📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.

Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.

Category (2026–2027) In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) $8,900 $19,800
Housing & Meals (typical) $17,100 $17,100
Total (Direct Costs) $26,000 $36,900

Average Federal Net Price: $22,118 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.


⚓ New York & SUNY Tuition Programs:
  • 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).

Sources for COA figures:
• 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

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

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.


💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards don’t always show up on the main scholarship charts but can make a real difference. Many are tied to specific backgrounds, programs, or majors and can often be stacked with merit and need-based grants.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Strategic Sealift Officer Program (SSOP) $4,000/semester NROTC students; U.S. Coast Guard license track Yes—via ROTC unit Yes (program standing required) Midshipmen in good academic/fitness standing, often STEM majors NROTC deadlines (varies; apply early fall)
Study Abroad Scholarships $500–$2,000 Participate in approved SUNY Maritime study abroad Yes—Faculty Student Association app Not specified Students w/ strong study abroad plan/faculty endorsement Program and FSA deadlines (apply semester in advance)
Departmental & Donor-Funded Awards $500–$3,000 Major, GPA, or service-based (varies by department) Varies—often dept. app or nomination Not specified Upperclassmen; strong records and department involvement Spring (most cycles)
Identity-Based Donor Awards $500–$2,500 First-gen, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women in STEM/maritime Yes—application or FAFSA-based Not specified Students active in affinity groups or inclusion leadership FAFSA and spring app windows
Maritime Industry Internship Tuition Benefit Up to 3–6 credits’ value Approved industry internship with academic tie-in Yes—Career Services or co-op No Students completing credit-bearing internships Semester before internship (apply early)

Hidden Gems FAQ

Can these stack with other aid? Often yes, especially with state/federal grants—but check each award’s rules.

When to apply? ROTC funds follow military timelines; other awards usually have deadlines 1–2 semesters before need.

Who should look first? Students in niche majors, ROTC, or leadership/identity-based organizations; any upperclassman seeking recognition or extra funding.

Are amounts guaranteed? No—awards depend on funding, donor criteria, and participation rates each year.


🎖️ 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.

High-Achieving Pathways at SUNY Maritime:
  • 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

Top Program Spotlight:
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.


💬 Final Thoughts

SUNY Maritime College offers one of the most unique college experiences in the country—where classroom learning meets hands-on training on the water. With specialized programs in marine engineering, naval architecture, and international transportation, Maritime students graduate career-ready and in high demand. For families, the combination of affordable SUNY tuition, strong post-graduation salaries, and ROTC or regiment pathways makes it an exceptional value. If your student thrives in structured, purpose-driven environments and loves the idea of blending academics with real-world application, SUNY Maritime is hard to beat.

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