Schenectady County Higher Education Promise for College in the High School Students
Take Up To 17 College in the High School (CHS) Credits at your High School For Free!
Whether you are a new student or a returning student, if you are a Schenectady County resident, and you enroll in SUNY Schenectady CHS classes at your high school, you may receive up to $1,258 per year in aid through the Schenectady County Higher Education Promise.
To Qualify:
- Students must be a Schenectady County Resident. A student’s primary residence must be within Schenectady County to be eligible. Students whose primary residence is outside Schenectady County, but has a non-custodial parent residing in Schenectady County, are not eligible for the Schenectady County Higher Education Promise aid.
- Be a Full-time High School Student taking SUNY Schenectady CHS courses at their District site. Student must be enrolled in SUNY Schenectady credit-bearing CHS courses by the date registration closes as listed on the CHS Academic Calendar.
Please Note:
- For CHS Student – there is no need to fill out the CHS Scholarship Application.
- For CHS Students – there is no requirement to fill out a FASFA or Affirmation of Schenectady County Residence (this is only for students who have graduated high school and are attending courses at the main SUNY Schenectady campus).
What does the Schenectady Promise Award Cover?
Qualified students may receive funding to cover the cost of up to 17 College in the High School credit hours of coursework during the 2025-2026 academic year. The maximum award for a full academic year Fall-Summer is $1,258. This is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and awards are applied until funding is depleted for the 2025-2026 academic year.
How Do I Get Started?
High school students who are Schenectady Country residents do not need to submit a CHS Scholarship Application. Funds will be applied after the Registration and Scholarship Applications period closes.
How Will I Know If I Receive The Schenectady Promise Aid?
Eligible students and parents will receive an email notification of award after the Course Registration closes and the Scholarship Application submission deadline has ended. Students may receive an initial full bill upon registration. If you make payment on this full bill prior to notification, our assumption is that you are declining this award. Please see our important Dates and Deadlines website for more information.
Questions?
High school students and parents inquiring about the program can contact the Office of College and High School Partnerships at 518-381-1315 or chs@sunysccc.edu.
Traditional (non-high school) student?
Traditional (non-high school) full- and part-time students are also invited to learn more about the Schenectady Higher Education Promise award by contacting Financial Aid (518-381-1468) or Admissions (518-381-1366). Parents age 25 to 55 years old may also want to learn more about SUNY Reconnect, offering free associate degrees for adult learners in high demand fields.
The Schenectady County Legislature approved a resolution to provide $1,000,000 to SUNY Schenectady for Academic Year 2025-26 to help students cover the gap between financial aid and tuition and fees. This funding will be available only to Schenectady County residents taking credit-bearing courses at SUNY Schenectady.
Qualifying students may only apply the aid to Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters, and may be eligible for up to a total of six (6) credit hours, or $1,320.00, toward tuition and select fees during the stated academic year. Funds may not be used to cover the application fee associated with the SUNY System application.
New, continuing and returning students must be matriculated students of SUNY Schenectady, either full-time or part-time. Students pursuing High School Equivalency through our 24-credit hour program may apply for the Schenectady Promise aid. Funds from the Schenectady County Higher Education Promise program are not refundable.