Why did Marist create the Empire State Promise?

Marist is dedicated to expanding access to a selective private university at a price that’s competitive with New York’s leading public universities. Too many talented students and families across New York assume schools like Marist are financially out of reach. This is a commitment to our home state and to giving eligible families a clear price they can plan around so they can pursue their college search without limiting their options and choose where to go based on opportunity, fit, and outcomes rather than assumptions about cost.

Who is eligible for the Empire State Promise?

To qualify for the Empire State Promise, students must:

• Be a New York State resident with a household adjusted gross income of $200,000 or less;
• Enroll as a full-time student at Marist (minimum 12 credits/semester);
• Submit the FAFSA by required deadlines;
• Be a new student entering Marist in 2027;
• Meet and maintain all academic standards and program requirements.
• The Empire State Promise renews up to four years. Families should review the full eligibility criteria online at the Empire State Promise.

What challenge does this program address?

Too many families rule out a selective private university before they ever learn what a Marist education may actually cost. The Empire State Promise changes that. This is a commitment to our home state and to giving eligible families a clear price they can plan around so they can pursue their college search based on opportunity and fit rather than assumptions about cost.

Does the Empire State Promise apply to all four years?

Yes. If a student is awarded the Empire State Promise their first year or as a transfer student, as long as they continue to meet all eligibility requirements they can renew the Empire State Promise each year for up to four undergraduate years. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, remain enrolled as a full-time student (min. 12 credits), complete required FAFSA filings, and continue to satisfy all program requirements.

Will the Empire State Promise award of $32,000 stay the same all four years?

The Empire State Promise caps the cost of a qualifying residential student’s tuition, housing, and dining at $32,000 – and a qualifying commuter student’s tuition at $20,000 – for the 2027-28 academic year (their first year of enrollment). Students are responsible for any future increases in tuition, housing, or dining costs that may occur during subsequent years. Historically, those annual increases have averaged approximately 3% to 5%.

Is there a separate application for the Empire State Promise, and when will I know if I received the award?

Eligible New York students are automatically considered for the Empire State Promise when they apply to Marist if they meet all program criteria; there is not a separate application to complete. Students receiving the Empire State Award will be notified as part of their financial aid package from Marist once all required documents have been reviewed and after they’ve received their official acceptance to Marist University.

Will students receiving the Empire State Promise have the same experience as other Marist students?

Absolutely. Students receiving the Empire State Promise are fully enrolled Marist students and have access to the same academic programs, faculty mentorship, internships, study abroad opportunities, student clubs and organizations, campus resources, and support services as every other student.

Is there a cap on how many students can receive the Empire State Promise?

No. The Empire State Promise is available to all New York students who meet the program's eligibility requirements and are accepted to Marist. Marist is not establishing a fixed number of awards or recipients – it will evaluate Empire State Promise applicants alongside all other applicants to Marist using the same holistic admissions review process.

Can students stack outside/private scholarships on top of the Empire State Promise?

Yes. Outside scholarships may be applied in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy and can help students and families reduce expenses not covered by the Empire State Promise, such as textbooks, personal supplies, and institutional fees. The pricing calculated for the Empire State Promise is a net cost after application of applicable federal, New York, and institutional aid.

Will this program reduce the amount of aid available to other students?

No. Marist will continue offering competitive financial aid packages and scholarships to students from New York and any other state. The University distributes $115 million in financial aid annually to students and 99% of all incoming first-year students are awarded some form of scholarships and/or grants. We encourage all students applying to Marist to review the extensive list of scholarships, grants, and other forms of aid that may be available.

What are the advantages of a private education offered by Marist?

Both Marist and New York’s leading public universities provide excellent educational opportunities. But as a selective private university, we think Marist offers some distinctive advantages:

• Small class sizes that allow for personal faculty mentorship – no big lecture halls
• Hands-on learning that begins day one, both in and out of the classroom
• Strong internship participation and proximity to NYC; 90-minute train ride from campus
• Award-winning study abroad experiences and a Florence, Italy campus
• Strong student outcomes – 94% employed or in grad school within 6 months of graduation
• A highly personalized path to career readiness, giving students the experiences, relationships, and confidence to distinguish themselves with employers.

The Empire State Promise now gives students and families a choice and allows them to compare those advantages at a cost comparable to New York’s leading public universities.

How else is Marist investing in academics and the student experience right now?

The Empire State Promise comes as Marist continues to invest aggressively in academic excellence and student success through other recent initiatives, including a major $100 million Science and Health Initiative, university-wide AI strategy for all majors, and opening of an Apple Authorized Campus Store to further strengthen Marist's position as a technology-forward institution.

What would you say to a student deciding between Marist and a public university?

We encourage students to focus on where they will thrive academically, personally, and professionally. The Empire State Promise is designed to ensure students don't rule out Marist simply because they assume it costs more. Once price becomes less of a barrier, students can evaluate which institution offers the opportunities, support, experiences, and outcomes that best align with their goals.