Who is Eligible?

Say Yes grant eligibility is dependent on meeting all of the following criteria.

The student must:

• Be a resident of the city of Syracuse.
• Have continuous enrollment in a Syracuse City School District High School for three years, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades [or be legally designated as having refugee status on an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)].
  
• Graduate from one of the SCSD high schools in or after June 2009.
• Enroll as a full time student in a Say Yes eligible college or university within one academic year after graduation (in addition students must apply for and otherwise be eligible for federal and state financial aid programs).

What is the Say Yes Tuition Guarantee?

Qualified students who do not receive financial aid that covers tuition will receive a Say Yes scholarship that pays for their remaining tuition balance.

How is the Syracuse Say Yes Tuition Guarantee Grant calculated?

Since every student’s financial situation is unique, the Say Yes Tuition Guarantee Grant will be calculated for each student depending on the tuition at the school they are attending and other financial aid they are receiving.

* In this case, the amount received in financial aid exceeds the cost of tuition by $1000 therefore there is no separate Say Yes Tuition Guarantee award.

What college expenses are covered by the Syracuse Say Yes Tuition Guarantee?

Syracuse Say Yes ensures that eligible students who choose to attend a Say Yes partner school will receive financial aid (in the form of grants and scholarships) covering regular undergraduate full time enrollment tuition. The grants/scholarships used to pay for the costs of tuition may come from a variety of sources. These include the NYS TAP program, the federal Pell grant program and other federal, state, and private sources.

Note: Books and fees are not covered by the Say Yes Tuition Guarantee. Students who live on campus will have additional costs for room and board which are also not covered by the Say Yes program. Students may obtain student loans to help cover these expenses. Please see your college’s financial aid officer for more information.

What is the Say Yes Opportunity Grant?

Say Yes has established a special opportunity grant program to assist high need students enrolled and residing on campus at an eligible SUNY or CUNY College with additional college costs beyond tuition (up to $2,000 for those eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant). The Opportunity Grant may not cover all expenses. Students with low income and high remaining need for financial aid assistance are automatically considered for the Opportunity Grant.

Are there any income restrictions? 

Most of the private partner colleges (with the exception of Syracuse University and Cooper Union) extend the tuition guarantee to students from families with incomes less than $75,000. Students outside the qualifying income range may still be considered for financial assistance, however, it is not guaranteed. Students enrolling in any of the partner SUNY/CUNY colleges do not have any income restrictions.

What is the Say Yes Choice Grant?

Students from families with incomes of more than $75,000 who are attending a Say Yes Private Compact College (and are not receiving a Tuition Guarantee Grant) may receive the Choice Grant. The Choice Grant provides up to $5000 per year based on the difference between other financial aid awarded and the cost of full time tuition. Choice Grants, in addition to other financial aid awarded by the college and/or private grants/scholarships, are not to exceed the cost of full time undergraduate tuition.

Student Responsibilities

Say Yes eligible students have a responsibility to read the following information about this program, know it, and ask questions if there is anything they do not understand. Click here for a copy of Eligible Say Yes Student Responsibilities. Students who receive Say Yes Awards are responsible for informing Say Yes of any changes in their college plans or contact information (including an active email address).

What if a student doesn’t meet all of the criteria to be eligible for Say Yes grants?

Seniors in the SCSD who do not meet the residency or the 3 year continuous enrollment criteria and have extenuating circumstances may appeal by completing and returning this form SYTE Request for Eligibility. High school students attending any SCSD high school who do not meet the criteria for Say Yes grant eligibility are still able to fully utilize all other Say Yes support programs (Legal Clinics, Financial Aid Counseling Network, etc.).