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New York gets 75,000 applications for free tuition program

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Officials say about 75,000 people have applied for New York's new tuition-free college program but it's not yet known how many of them will receive an award.

The deadline for applying for an Excelsior Scholarship is Friday.

After other student aid has been applied, the initiative proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo covers the balance of state college or university tuition for full-time, in-state students from families earning $100,000 or less. The maximum award is $5,500.

After graduation, students must remain in New York for as many years as they received the benefit. If not, they'll have to repay it.

The state has set aside $87 million for the program in the first year.

About 4,650 students have applied for state help with private college tuition under the Enhanced Tuition Program.

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