15 College Scholarships for New York Students

What’s Covered:

• 15 Scholarships for New Yorkers

15 Scholarships for New Yorkers

Attending college in New York is pricey! The expense of attending a public four-year institution in New York is 11.92% more than the national average, while the average private university costs 27.14% more than it does nationally. One way New York students can cut down on college costs is with scholarships. On average, scholarships and grants make up about a quarter of how students pay for college, and unlike loans, they do not require repayment.

Keep reading if you’re a New Yorker looking for scholarship opportunities in your state. 

1. Ascend Education Fund Scholarships 

Amount: $2,500 to $20,000

Deadline: February 4 

Eligibility: 

• High school seniors graduating from a high school in the five boroughs of New York City 
• Born outside of the U.S. or both your parents were born outside the U.S.
• Enrolling full-time in an accredited college or university the following academic year 

Application Requirements: 

• SAT or ACT score 
• High school transcript 
• Letters of recommendation (2)
• Essays (2)

The Ascend Education Fund Scholarships are generous awards for immigrant children and children of immigrants attending school in New York City. Competitive applicants will demonstrate the qualities traditionally valued by the immigrant community: 

• Hard work
• Resourcefulness
• Perseverance 
• Academic excellence 
• Leadership
• Community minded 

2. New York State (NYS) STEM Incentive Program

Amount: Full tuition 

Deadline: April 15 

Eligibility: 

• New York State resident 
• U.S. citizen 
• Ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class at a New York high school
• Accepted to an approved undergraduate program leading to a STEM degree at a public or private college located in New York 
• Enrolling full-time in an accredited college or university the following academic year 

Application Requirements: 

• Maintain a 2.5 GPA
• Agree to work in a STEM field in New York state for five years after graduation

One of the best scholarships for New York state students interested in pursuing a STEM degree, the NYS STEM Incentive Program provides full tuition to attend a public or private degree-granting college or university located in New York State to qualifying students who agree to stay in state and work in a STEM field for five years after graduation. Awards max out at the cost of annual tuition charged to in-state students attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York (SUNY) and are renewable for up to four years. 

3. Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship

Amount: $1,500 

Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: 

• Dutchess County resident or graduate from a Dutchess County High School 
• Graduating senior or recent graduate 
• Minimum “B” average 
• Demonstrate financial need 

Application Requirements: 

• 500-word essay 
• Letters of recommendation

Founded by a long-established family from the Poughkeepsie area with a love of young people, the Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship is intended to provide financial support to students with financial need. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay describing their goals, values, and community service. The award is renewable for up to four years. 

4. The New York Water Environment Association 

Amount: $12,000 over four years ($1,000 for the 1st year, ​$2,000 for the 2nd year, $4,000 for the 3rd year, and $5,000 for the 4th year

Deadline: February 28 

Eligibility: 

• New York resident
• Graduating senior planning to enroll at a college or university 
• Enrolled full-time in a B.S. or B.E. degree program with an environmental emphasis

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• Letters of recommendation (2)
• Essays (2)

This generous scholarship from the New York Water Environment Association provides an appealing financial incentive to students with an interest in pursuing an environmental field in college, such as: 

• Environmental engineering
• Civil engineering with an environmental minor
• Chemical engineering with an environmental minor
• Hydrogeology with an environmental emphasis
• Biology or microbiology, with an environmental emphasis

The award increases over the course of four years and coincides with an escalation of academic expectations. Students are expected to maintain a 2.5 GPA in their first year of college but are required to have a 3.0 after their junior year to receive the final award. 

5. Ontario County Casella Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: February 8 

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
• Resident of Ontario County 
• Accepted to a college-level program leading to a degree in science, environmental engineering, agriculture, and/or waste management

Application Requirements: 

• High school transcript 
• Essay 
• Letters of recommendation (3)

This scholarship funded by Casella Waste Systems, Inc. is intended to supply financial support to students who pursue an education and careers in environmental fields, agriculture, and waste management. Recipients are chosen using three criteria: academic performance, references, and their essay demonstrating a commitment to a career that supports the environment.

6. Susan W. Freestone Education Award

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: April 15 

Eligibility: 

• Have been a member of a Junior Grange in New York State and presently a member in good standing of a Subordinate Grange in New York State.
• Graduating from high school and enrolling in an approved two- or four-year college in New York State

Application Requirements: 

• High school transcript 
• Resume 
• Essay 
• Photograph for publicity (optional)

Established in 1945, the Susan W. Freestone Education Award is given to young Grange members going off to college. The award is renewable for a second year, provided that the recipient meets academic benchmarks. The New York State Grange was founded in 1873, is found primarily in rural communities, and is focused on building strong families and a healthy society. 

7. Virginia W. Smith Scholarship 

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: April 30

Eligibility: 

• Long Island High School senior
• Interest in pursuing horticulture, conservation, or environmental studies in college

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• Essays (2)
• Letters of recommendation (2)

Named to honor a long-term member of the North Country Garden Club, Virginia W. Smith, this scholarship helps fulfill the organization’s mission by providing financial support to future conservationists, horticulturalists, and environmentalists. Competitive candidates are intelligent, driven, and passionate about our planet. 

8. New York State (NYS) Scholarships for Academic Excellence

Amount: Up to $1,500

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen 
• NYS resident 
• Graduating from an NYS high school 
• Enrolling full-time in an approved undergraduate program in an NYS college or university 

Application Requirements: 

• Based on grades in certain Regents exams 

The NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence provide up to $1,500 per year for up to five years of undergraduate study in New York State. These scholarships are awarded annually to as many as 8,000 of the state’s top scholars and given out in a tiered system:

• 2,000 scholarships of $1,500 
• 6,000 scholarships of $500

9. Dorothea Deitz Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Female high school graduating senior from New York State
• Planning to enroll in college full-time and intending to major in physical education 
• Minimum 3.0 GPA 
• Demonstrated financial need 

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• Letters of recommendation (3) 

The Dorothea Deitz Endowed Memorial Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for female high school students with a passion for P.E. to earn money for college. Recipients are chosen after considering a number of factors, including:

• Academics
• Character
• Physical education competence
• Participation in sports
• Demonstrated leadership
• Community service

10. The Jewish Foundation for Education of Women (JFEW) Eleanor Roosevelt Scholars Program

Amount: Varies

Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Strong connection to New York City 
• Minimum 3.2 GPA 
• Committed to public policy and public service 
• Demonstrated financial need 
• Sophomore in college 

The Jewish Foundation for Education of Women (JFEW) Eleanor Roosevelt Scholars Program is a two-year scholarship program that awards undergraduates with a commitment to enhancing the role of women in public policy and public service. In addition to financial support, recipients are provided mentorship, participate in a paid summer internship in New York, attend a three-day seminar in Washington, D.C., engage in workshops, and are invited to special events at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute.  

11. New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: March 1 

Eligibility: 

• Live or work on a farm, or involved in agriculture 
• Family Farm Bureau membership or student Farm Bureau membership
• Graduating senior who will continue education in preparation for a career in agriculture 

Application Requirements: 

• Essay

Thinking of pursuing a career in agriculture? This scholarship could be for you! Farm Bureau membership is required to apply, as well as an essay discussing an issue facing agriculture in your county and an explanation of how you think NYFB can support members dealing with it. In addition to the $1,500 first-place award, a second-place $1,200 scholarship and third-place $1,000 scholarship are also given out. 

12. Polish Scholarship Fund 

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: March 15 

Eligibility: 

• Of Polish descent 
• Have lived for a minimum of two years in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, or Oswego counties 
• Have been accepted for admission as a full-time student at any accredited college, university, or training school

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• List of extracurricular activities 
• Recommendation letters 

Since its establishment, the Polish Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $370,000 in scholarships and helped roughly 400 students advance their education. Polish ancestry is required for this award. Other factors include: 

• Scholastic aptitude
• Financial need
• Career aspirations
• Extracurricular activities
• Participation in the Polish community  

13. The Roothbert Fund Scholarships

Amount: $5,000 to $7,000

Deadline: February 1 

Eligibility: 

• Preference for undergraduate students with one year of college completed or graduate students 
• Preference to candidates who reside in or attend schools in these states: 
  • Connecticut
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
• Preference is given to those pursuing careers in education 
• Demonstrated financial need 

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• Essays (3)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Interview 

The Roothbert Scholarships are intended to provide support to spiritual students with financial need pursuing higher education. Scholarships are open to all students and it places no emphasis on any particular form of religious practice or worship. Candidates from 16 states and those with strong academic achievement and pursuing careers in education are given preference. 

14. Whelan Foundation Scholarship 

Amount: Up to $20,000

Deadline: March 30

Eligibility: 

• U.S. citizen or legal resident 
• Graduating senior from Long Island
• Enrolling full-time at an accredited college or university in the U.S. 
• Minimum 3.5 GPA 
• Provided a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer work in the area of special education over their high school career
• Rank in the top 20% of their high school class

Application Requirements: 

• Transcript 
• Letters of recommendation (2)
• Essay (two-page maximum)

The Whelan Foundation Scholarship supports the higher educational goals of its recipients and equalizes the education opportunities for Long Island residents that are commonly denied them because of cost. The Whelan Foundation believes everyone should get the chance to succeed. 

15. New York State (NYS) Aid to Native Americans

Amount: Up to $2,000

Deadline: July 16

Eligibility: 

• NYS resident 
• Enrolled member of an NYS tribe or their children 
• Attending or planning to attend a college in NYS

Application Requirements: 

• Proof of high school graduation 
• Official tribal certification 
• A letter of acceptance from the college

The NYS Aid to Native Americans provides support to New York State tribe members and their children. Awards are available to students in two-, four-, and five-year programs and recipients are eligible to receive funding through their duration.