Additional Information Regarding the Calculation of the Excelsior Scholarship Award and VA Benefits

Dear Colleague:

Based on additional questions from schools about the Guidance on Calculation of the Excelsior Scholarship Award and VA benefits, HESC and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide the following clarifications:

1. Chapter 33 VA benefits are applied to tuition before the Excelsior amount is calculated.
2. Students with Chapter 31 benefits receive 100% tuition so those students would not be eligible for any Excelsior awards. 
3. All other VA benefits, such as Chapter 35, are not designated for tuition so they would not be applied to tuition before the Excelsior amount is calculated.
4. Schools should review all Excelsior recipients who receive VA benefits and adjust the Excelsior award certification as needed.  The VA benefit should be amended as the first dollar and Excelsior reduced by the amount of the VA benefit.  Adjustments should be made from the Fall 2017 and going forward.  There is no negative impact to the student as the VA benefit would cover the value of the reduction of the Excelsior award.

All certifications for the 2017-18 academic year must be submitted by June 30, 2019 using either the HESC web site or by submitting the electronic files.

HESC