This paper examines the New York State Excelsior Scholarship and the criteria that must be met for students to be eligible to receive it. The main focus of this examination is how this scholarship aims to address access issues faced by students from low income families and how the program can be improved to better address their needs. Comparisons are made between this Scholarship and others similar to it, namely the Georgia Hope Scholarship, the Indiana 21st Century Scholarship, and the Wisconsin Covenant. Recommendations for improving the Excelsior Scholarship are made based on research-based evidence on the successes and failures of the other scholarship programs, as well as potential barriers found within the Excelsior Scholarship itself.