20 Super Scholarships for College Students in New York

  • Last Updated

Calling the “Empire State” home can check off eligibility criteria for several money-saving scholarships in New York.

As the United States’ seventh most densely populated state, New York is a renowned center for higher education. New York has the nation’s most public and private colleges within its borders at 266. The esteemed State University of New York (SUNY) system enrolls approximately 459,500 students across 64 campuses alone. With 21 branches, the City University of New York (CUNY) system also spans across the largest city with another 450,000 students. Columbia University stands out among New York’s premier private schools as the #4 best national university according to the U.S. News.

Related link: Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in New York

Whether you’re joining a close-knit community like Canisius College or massive campus like New York University, the following 20 scholarships can help pay your way.

Exploring the Top Scholarships for College Students in NY

1. Ann Liguori Foundation Sports Media Scholarship

Deadline: January 30th

New York Women in Communications sponsors the Ann Liguori Foundation Sports Media Scholarship annually. The $2,500 awards is for juniors and seniors who are majoring in sports management or media communications. Eligibility requires either living or attending an accredited college in the New York Tri-State Area. Other qualifications include:

  • being U.S. citizens or legal residents
  • holding a minimum 3.2 GPA
  • exhibiting potential for careers in sports broadcasting.
Contact

Ann Liguori Foundation Sports Media Scholarship
355 Lexington Avenue 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 297-2133
info@nywici.org
Scholarship Link

2. Carolyn Kohn Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 27th

The New York State Occupational Therapy Association offers the Carolyn Kohn Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 annually.  It’s for post-baccalaureate students who are pursuing master’s or clinical doctorate programs for occupational therapy. Eligible candidates must:

  • have completed at least 12 months of accredited OT coursework
  • reside legally in New York
  • be current AOTA members

Application packets must include:

  • a resume
  • 500-word essay
  • program director’s statement
  • two references.
Contact

Carolyn Kohn Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 609
Glenmont, NY 12077
(518) 301-9187
scholarships@aotf.org
Scholarship Link

3. David J. Moynihan Excellence in Accounting Scholarship

Deadline: April 5th

The David J. Moynihan Excellence in Accounting Scholarship honors the late, admired President of the New York State Society of CPAs. It presents $2,500 to deserving residents who have declared an accounting major at an accredited NYS institution. Qualified upperclassmen must:

  • have completed 72+ college credits
  • passed at least one intermediate accounting course
  • maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • submit an FAE Campus Liaison recommendation.
Contact

David J. Moynihan Excellence in Accounting Scholarship
14 Wall Street 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(800) 537-3635
dabela@nysscpa.org
Scholarship Link

4. Debbie J. Tranello Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

The New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA) grants three annual scholarships in New York. These include the $1,000 Debbie J. Tranello Memorial Scholarship. This program financially assists in-state high school graduates who are pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree to  enter the automotive parts management profession. Eligible recipients must:

  • have good academic standing
  • be recommended by NYSAA members
  • attend an accredited college full-time.
Contact

Debbie J. Tranello Memorial Scholarship
210 Lemoyne Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13208
(315) 437-0094
mlord@nysaaa.net
Scholarship Link

5. Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 30th

The NYS Higher Education Services Corporation offers the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship Fund. It’s to support the 266 families who lost parents or spouses during the tragic American Airlines crash in Queens, New York, in 2001. Scholarship funding covers four years of in-state tuition at SUNY campuses, which is a $22,487 maximum value. Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED and remain matriculated full-time in degree-granting programs.

Contact

Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship Fund
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12255
(888) 697-4372
scholarships@hesc.ny.gov
Scholarship Link

6. Friends of Senator Jack Perry Migrant Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Friends of Senator Jack Perry Migrant Scholarship is named for the Executive Director of the Interstate Migrant Education Council (IMEC). It’s awarded for $500 to $1,000 annually by the Geneseo Migrant Center. Eligible migrant farmworkers must:

  • reside in New York State
  • have graduated from an accredited high school
  • exhibit financial need for college

Other scholarships in New York include the Leah Levy and Margaret Raley Migrant Scholarship.

Contact

Friends of Senator Jack Perry Migrant Scholarship
3 Mount Morris-Leicester Road
Leicester, NY 14481
(585) 658-7960
mreho@gvboces.org
Scholarship Link

7. Helen R. Mertens Educational Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

Annually, the Helen R. Mertens Educational Scholarship bestows $1,000 from the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York. It goes to upon deserving students with Spina Bifida or other spinal cord disabilities. They must be pursuing a college degree or vocational certificate. Applications are accepted every spring with:

  • a short essay
  • two letters of recommendation
  • a doctor’s note
  • proof of community service participation

Scholarships are primarily based on potential for scholastic achievement in higher education.

Contact

Helen R. Mertens Educational Scholarship
123 Saratoga Road
Scotia, NY 12302
(518) 399-9151
scholarship@sbaneny.org
Scholarship Link

8. Jean and Albert Nerken Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 27th

The Hebrew Free Loan Society offers the Jean and Albert Nerken Scholarship Fund. It provides up to $5,000 each year. It’s for international students who are pursuing secular studies at accredited colleges and graduate schools in the New York Metro. Eligible awardees must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • demonstrate unmet financial need
  • lack U.S. citizenship
  • be committed to the Jewish faith

The Rose Biller Scholarship also grants funding in New York.

Contact

Jean and Albert Nerken Scholarship Fund
675 Third Avenue Suite 1905
New York, NY 10017
(212) 687-0188
scholarships@hfls.org
Scholarship Link

9. Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship Award

Deadline: April 18th

Valued at $5,000, the Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship Award is presented annually by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). It’s for second-year students pursuing Juris Doctor degrees at ABA-accredited law schools in the Empire State. Entrants must submit an original, minimum 10-page paper through Microsoft Word. It must highlight their exceptional legal writing and advocacy skills. Selection criteria includes:

  • practicality
  • clarity
  • research quality
  • organization.
Contact

Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship Award
1 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5651
dauspelmyer@tnybf.org
Scholarship Link

10. Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program

Deadline: November 16th

The Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program partners with over 35 schools. It’s hosted by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. It supports New York City government employees who are pursuing advanced study at the master’s or doctoral level. Interested applicants must:

  • already hold a bachelor’s degree
  • gain admission to an accredited Metro college
  • retain full-time NYC employment

Acceptable majors include:

  • business
  • public administration
  • law
  • public health
  • engineering.
Contact

Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program
1 Centre Street 17th Floor South
New York, NY 10007
(212) 386-0059
MGSP@dcas.nyc.gov
Scholarship Link

11. New York Library Association Dewey Scholarship

Deadline: September 30th

The New York Library Association Dewey Scholarship awards $1,000. It’s to cover tuition or academic expenses for outstanding students earning master’s degrees in library or information science. Qualified applicants must:

  • reside in New York State
  • graduate to the baccalaureate level
  • enroll in an in-state, ALA-accredited school
  • carry a minimum B average
  • have NYLA membership
  • show commitment to librarianship.

It also includes a free ticket to the NYLA Annual Conference,

Contact

New York Library Association Dewey Scholarship
6021 State Farm Road
Guilderland, NY 12084
(518) 432-6952
info@nyla.org
Scholarship Link

12. New York State Cheese Manufacturers’ Scholarship

Deadline: February 12th

Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, the New York State Cheese Manufacturers’ Scholarship offers $2,000 annually. It’s for undergraduates who are earning bachelor’s degrees in:

  • dairy science
  • agriculture
  • food science
  • related majors

Qualified candidates must:

  • reside in New York State
  • attend an in-state college full-time
  • attain at least sophomore standing
  • achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5,
  • show genuine interest in dairy processing, especially cheese manufacturing.
Contact

New York State Cheese Manufacturers’ Scholarship
25 Anderson Road
Buffalo, NY 14225
(716) 892-3156
emailus@upstateniagara.com
Scholarship Link

13. Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship

Deadline: February 22nd

The New York Water Environment Association grants $38,000 annually through scholarships in New York, such as the Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship. This major $5,000 program is designed for high school seniors statewide. They must be enrolling full-time in a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree. Required is maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA while studying:

  • environmental science, biology
  • civil engineering
  • geology
  • chemical engineering
  • similar major.
Contact

Nicholas J. Bartilucci Environmental Scholarship
525 Plum Street, Suite 102
Syracuse, NY 13204
(315) 422-7811
robert.wither@dec.ny.gov
Scholarship Link

14. NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence

Deadline: None

Ranging from $500 to $1,500, the NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence are administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation. They’re for exemplary high school seniors who are matriculating full-time in approved undergraduate study. Eligible New Yorkers must:

  • have great academic standing
  • be U.S. citizens or legal residents
  • have unmet financial need

Other state-funded scholarships in New York are the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship and NYS STEM Incentive.

Contact

NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12255
(888) 697-4372
scholarships@hesc.ny.gov
Scholarship Link

15. Olga Lindberg AAUW Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Buffalo Branch of the American Association of University Women offers the Olga Lindberg AAUW Scholarship.  It’s for $10,000 to female students reaching at least the fourth year of college in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree. Ladies must reside in the Western New York counties of:

  • Erie
  • Niagara
  • Genesee
  • Cattaraugus
  • Allegany
  • Chautauqua
  • Orleans
  • Wyoming

Eligibility criteria requires:

  • having a minimum 3.7 GPA
  • having held valuable leadership roles
  • attaching three recommendations.
Contact

Olga Lindberg AAUW Scholarship
P.O. Box 894
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 559-3037
aauwweb@buffalo.edu
Scholarship Link

16. Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship

Deadline: June 15th

The Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship is one of the largest programs created by the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation. It awards up to $20,000. To qualify, registered nurses must:

  • be licensed in New York
  • reside in-state for 12+ months
  • not be in loan default,
  • pursue an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in nursing education

Recipients must sign a service contract to teach as nursing faculty for four years at New York universities.

Contact

Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12255
(888) 697-4372
scholarships@hesc.ny.gov
Scholarship Link

17. Susan Miszkowicz Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th

The Greater New York chapter of the Woman in Transportation International offers the $5,000 Sustan Miskowicz Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship. It’s for bright new professionals building careers in transportation-related fields. Qualified females must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited New York State bachelor’s program to study:

  • engineering
  • urban planning
  • finance
  • logistics
  • similar majors

They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Racial minority students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Contact

Susan Miszkowicz Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
P.O. Box 989
New York, NY 10016
(646) 535-6571
wtsgnyscholarship@gmail.com
Scholarship Link

18. Teach NYC Graduate Scholarship Incentive

Deadline: April 29th

If the TEACH Grant isn’t sufficient, New Yorkers could benefit from financial support in the Teach NYC Graduate Scholarship Incentive. Eligible teachers must:

  • hold a bachelor’s degree
  • present copies of current NYS certification
  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • claim a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • show proficiency in a foreign language
  • agree to serve in high-need NYC public schools upon graduation

Suitable graduate studies include:

  • bilingual education
  • special education
  • school psychology
  • speech-language pathology.
Contact

Teach NYC Graduate Scholarship Incentive
65 Court Street Room 508
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 935-2449
Scholarship Link

19. Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: July 1st

The Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship Fund is in memory of her 30-year service with the DHS. It provides $2,500 annually by the National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation. It’s for students whose parent or guardian was killed in the line of duty. Qualified applicants must:

  • reside or attend school in New York
  • be pursuing their first undergraduate degree
  • maintain full-time enrollment
  • carry a cumulative GPA above 2.6.

Preference is give to majors in:

  • criminal justice
  • law enforcement
  • pre-law majors.
Contact

Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship Fund
928 Broadway Suite 703
New York, NY 10010
(646) 822-4236
nleafcf@nleafcf.org
Scholarship Link

20. Walter A. Hunt Jr. Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 15th

The Walter A. Hunt Jr. Scholarship Program is hosted by the Center for Architecture. It offers $10,000 annually for two years. It’s to support seniors graduating from New York City public high schools who display interest in architecture. Funding supplements the freshman and sophomore years at any NAAB-accredited college in the United States. Applications must include:

  • a visual art portfolio
  • official transcript
  • college acceptance letter
  • two 500-word essays
  • two letters of recommendation.
Contact

Walter A. Hunt Jr. Scholarship Program
536 LaGuardia Place
New York, NY 10012
(212) 358-6133
scholarships@cfafoundation.org
Scholarship Link

Keeping college within financial reach can be tricky for many New York families. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS system, the average in-state tuition in New York costs $17,606 each year. New York is currently America’s eighth most expensive state to attend college. Although the SUNY system is affordable with a median tuition of $6,470, New York’s private universities often have monstrous price tags. For instance, Sarah Lawrence College is charging $51,196 for their 2016-17 tuition! Reduce your degree’s monetary burden by reviewing these great scholarships in New York.

GCD Staff

Related:

This concludes our coverage of top scholarships for college students in NY.

Find Your Degree!