Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: January 11, 2025

New York Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Local organizations and community foundations offer scholarships to students from specific regions or communities within New York, often with less competition compared to state or national awards.
  • The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is one of the most well-known state-funded programs providing significant financial support to eligible New York residents attending in-state colleges.
  • Scholarships for New York students can cover a significant portion of tuition and other educational expenses.

Most people know that living in New York, especially New York City, is expensive compared to most of the rest of the country. And few people know that better than college students. That’s where New York scholarships can help. These scholarships are given to students who are either from the Empire State or who are going to school there. They can be used to cover tuition, room and board, textbooks, fees and other expenses.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 New York Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • Posse Foundation Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineJanuary 31, 2025

The Posse Scholarship recognizes outstanding high school students with full-tuition scholarships to attend one of Posse’s partner colleges or universities. This program identifies and supports young leaders who demonstrate academic potential and a commitment to teamwork and diversity, offering them the resources to thrive in college and beyond. Scholarship Details Full-tuition scholarship to

  • 2

  • Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR)

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 31, 2025

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR) recognizes and rewards high school students who, through their volunteer activities, have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools or communities. PPRR operates through 28 Regional Committees and an at-large committee that accepts applications from high school students who live outside the geographic

  • 3

  • Roothbert Fund Scholarships

  • Amount$7,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2025

The Roothbert Fund Scholarships are open to all in the United States. While the Fund does not emphasize any particular form of religious practice or worship, it seeks to provide support to persons motivated by spiritual values. The Fund has awarded people entering a wide range of careers. However, strong preference will be given to graduate students as well as undergraduates who have completed at

  • 4

  • Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 7, 2025

The Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship is dedicated to helping deserving students achieve their dream of a college education. Having awarded 620 scholarships to date, these scholarships have supported students across the United States in prestigious institutions like Auburn, Alabama, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and many more. The Foundation's goal is to empower students to excel in their

  • 5

  • Gucci Changemakers Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 7, 2025

The Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Fund is dedicated to empowering students in creative and business-oriented fields through substantial financial support. Scholarship Details 12 scholarships of up to $20,000 for diverse students studying fashion, design, art, business, merchandising, law, film, music, and other creative or business-oriented programs. Open to

  • 6

  • Simon Youth Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarship Program

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineFebruary 14, 2025

Each year, SYF awards up to $1 million in one-time and renewable Simon Youth Scholarships to high school students in every community that is home to a Simon Mall. Targeting first-generation college students and those with demonstrated financial need, the Simon Youth Scholarships program furthers the SYF commitment to extending educational opportunities to all students who want to learn,

  • 7

  • New York Grace LeGendre Fellowships

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

Since its incorporation in 1989 through 2022, the New York Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund Inc (GLEF), has awarded over $192,000 in fellowships to 167 NYS women. Of these, one hundred and eight were working toward a Master’s and fifty five toward a doctorate. They were enrolled in fifty-five diverse fields of graduate study. Fellowships are awarded annually for graduate study to qualified women.

  • 8

  • New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

The Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) provide high school students that are the top student(s) in their respective high school at the end of their junior year with a scholarship to attend an institution of higher education located in New York State. Each scholarship candidate must be eligible to graduate from a New York State high school by the end of the current school

  • 9

  • TheDream.US National Scholarship

  • Amount$33,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

At Dream.US, we believe in turning dreams into reality, especially for highly motivated undocumented students facing significant financial barriers. Our National Scholarship is more than just a financial aid; it's a pathway for you to overcome challenges, pursue higher education, and make a positive impact on your community. Scholarship Details Pell Grant Equivalent: Provides substantial

  • 10

  • The Dawna J Colbert & John Fitzpatrick Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2025

Technology Concept Groups International (TCGi) Foundation is dedicated to connecting black women and girls to meaningful opportunities in technology and computing. Through our work, we aim to diversify the next generation of technology leaders. The TCGi Foundation Scholarship Fund facilitates partnerships with key stakeholders to increase the visibility and representation of black women pursuing

  • 11

  • Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

SRS Family Foundation is delighted to announce the ninth year of the Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans. To date, 44 students have received the Banyan College Scholarship. These students belong to various South Asian communities in New York City and embody the spirit of the award. Scholarship Details Targeted at: New York City high school seniors Grant Amount: $2,000 to

  • 12

  • Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

Tall Clubs International Foundation awards annual scholarships to deserving High School Seniors in North America (United States and Canada only). TCI Foundation receives scholarship nominations from Tall Club International’s local member clubs and members-at-large across North America. From this pool of nominations, the recipients are selected to receive a scholarship award from Tall Clubs

  • 13

  • New York Farm Bureau AG Youth Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2025

The mission of New York Farm Bureau is "Supporting today’s agricultural needs and creating member opportunities for tomorrow through advocacy and education." The forward looking NYFB vision is "The voice of New York agriculture that unites a diverse farm community and builds a stronger food system and rural economy." Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, volunteer organization financed and

  • 14

  • Teachers Federal Credit Union Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMarch 8, 2025

Teachers is proud to offer the Teachers Federal Credit Union Scholarship to support student members embarking on their journey of continuous learning and success. Founded by a group of educators, Teachers continues to reinforce its commitment to education and ensure that more students have the resources to reach their academic goals. This scholarship is awarded annually to ten graduating high

  • 15

  • TRSRM Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 14, 2025

The Hispanic/Latinx Scholarship is designed to support and empower high school seniors of Hispanic/Latinx heritage in the NY, NJ, and CT area who are pursuing higher education. This scholarship provides financial assistance to those who meet the specified criteria, including a cumulative GPA above 2.8, a minimum of 80 recorded hours of community service, and the intention to enroll as a full-time

  • 16

  • Central New York STEM Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMarch 14, 2025

The CNY STEM Scholarship Program was designed in conjunction with Partners for Education & Business (PEB) and the CNY STEM Hub, to support CNY high school seniors who plan to pursue a college degree in a STEM-related field. Residents of Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Seneca and Tompkins counties are eligible to apply and preference is

  • 17

  • Zonta Club of Jamestown Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2025

Empowering Women Through Education: Zonta Club of Jamestown Scholarships A Legacy of Service and Empowerment Since 1921, the Zonta Club of Jamestown has been a beacon of service and empowerment for women in Upstate New York and beyond. Committed to making a difference through service projects, fundraisers, and the preservation of history, the club is an integral part of Zonta International, a

  • 18

  • CBC Spouses Essay Contest

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 29, 2025

Each year, qualified African-American and Black junior and senior high school students participate in the Essay Contest and Issue Forum. Students are presented with a topic that embodies some of our communities’ most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses, and opinion. Submissions are judged by a special committee of CBC Spouses. Winners and their

  • 19

  • New York Senate Graduate Fellowships

  • Amount$50,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2025

Since 1965, the New York State Senate Legislative Fellowship has given graduate and post-graduate students direct access to state government and the legislative process. All Senate fellowships are on-site in Albany, New York. Applicants must have completed graduate studies at an accredited university prior to the beginning of the fellowship. Fellows work full-time as a regular staff member.

  • 20

  • APCF Royal Business Bank Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineApril 3, 2025

Unlock your path to higher education with the Royal Business Bank Scholarship. Royal Business Bank is dedicated to helping students in its service areas achieve their dreams of pursuing a college education. This scholarship offers four awards of $1,000 each, providing valuable financial support to high school seniors who plan to embark on their college journey as full-time, degree-seeking

  • 21

  • NYIPLEF Diversity Scholarships

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineApril 5, 2025

NYIPLEF’s Diversity Scholarship provides funds to diverse law students currently enrolled in a J.D. at an accredited law school in the New York area (including Connecticut and New Jersey), in good academic standing, and demonstrating intent to engage in the full-time practice of intellectual property law. The scholarship is intended to be used by the law student for tuition and expenses related

  • 22

  • Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineApril 5, 2025

The Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship is available to graduating seniors or recent graduates of high schools in Dutchess County. The scholarships shall be applied to tuition costs at accredited colleges or universities for a period not to exceed four years. Applicants must be a resident of Dutchess County who are graduating from, or have graduated from a Dutchess County High School.

  • 23

  • DeNise Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2025

Strong emphasis in awarding the DeNise Scholarship Fund scholarships is placed on need, and that the applicants must be agriculturally oriented. These scholarships may be used in any recognized accredited institution of higher learning. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a 2- or 4-year accredited institution and major in the field of agriculture. Applicants must be residents of

  • 24

  • APCF Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2025

The Cathay Bank Foundation offers twenty $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors planning to attend college as full-time, degree-seeking students in the coming fall. These scholarships are aimed at supporting youth residing in Cathay Bank's business service territories in achieving their higher education aspirations. Scholarship Details Number of Scholarships: 20 Amount: $2,500 each

  • 25

  • Women's Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineApril 25, 2025

The WMGA Foundation has been supporting young women in their pursuit of higher education since 2001, awarding scholarships to over 115 recipients. These scholarships assist with tuition, room and board, incidental fees, and books, providing vital support for students with financial need and a connection to the game of golf. Scholarship Details Established in 2001 to support young women

Interested in New York scholarships? Keep reading to learn where to find them, how to apply and how to maximize your chances of getting one.

What is a New York Scholarship?

A New York scholarship refers to a scholarship that is given to a college student who is either from New York or who attends school in New York. New York scholarships and grants don’t have to be paid back after graduation, so they’re the best way to fund your education.

Scholarships don’t just fall into your lap; you have to actively search and apply for them. One of the best ways to find scholarships is to look for ones that are particular to your interests, skills and other attributes. Geographic-based scholarships, like New York scholarships, are a perfect example of one way to narrow your search and find the most attractive scholarships.

Where to find New York Scholarships

If you’re already enrolled in college, your financial aid department should have information about different scholarships you can apply for. Also, your department’s academic advisor may also have ideas on how to find scholarships for your specific major. You can also ask professors, supervisors and other adults you know about potential scholarships.

The New York State Department of Education is also a good starting spot for scholarships. Just be aware that you should also take the time to do your own research. Start by writing down a list of everything about you, from where you live to what you want to study. Then, do a Google search for those adjectives plus the word “scholarship.”

For example, if you’re part of the marching band and/or play an instrument, look up “music scholarships.” You can even get more granular and look up “New York music scholarships.”

Rinse and repeat this process for all the words on your list. If you’re having trouble brainstorming, talk to a parent, teacher or coach to see if they can help you come up with a list.

How to apply for New York scholarships

Applying for a New York scholarship is similar to applying for any other kind of award. As always, you should make sure you understand the eligibility rules and requirements. Geographic scholarships often have specific residency requirements.

For example, you may have to have been a New York resident for a certain period of time to be eligible. These types of scholarships may also require that you attend school in New York.

Once you determine that you are eligible, read through the required documents. Many New York scholarships require at least one essay and a letter of recommendation. Applying for a scholarship can take time because you have to gather all of the necessary documents, write your essay and wait for someone to write a letter of recommendation.

Try to give yourself plenty of time to complete the application and start as early as possible. The more time you give yourself, the less likely it is that you’ll make a mistake that could get you disqualified.

Many scholarships require that students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the overarching form that gives students access to federal financial aid, such as federal student loans, grants and work-study.

What most students don’t know is that many scholarships also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility. This is most common with need-based scholarships, but also comes up with merit-based awards. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need-based aid, you should always fill out the FAFSA.

Some even require that students submit the CSS Profile, which is another kind of college financial aid form. Many scholarships will have their own form with other questions.

New York Scholarship FAQs

New York scholarships can vary widely. If you’re curious about starting the search for a New York scholarship, read below to see the most common questions:

There are many New York scholarships available for students who belong to a minority or underrepresented group.

Thanks to the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act, undocumented students can qualify for special financial aid in New York. Students must have attended high school in New York to qualify. This award is available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

There are also some scholarships designated for specific groups of people who aren’t necessarily part of a minority. For example, CUNY offers a World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship, which provides four years of tuition, room and board and more if you, your spouse or parent were a victim of the 9/11 terrorism attacks. This scholarship is available for any CUNY school.

New York scholarships usually don’t have a specific restriction on the type of school you can attend. However, this depends on the specific scholarship so double-check the rules before applying.

For example, the Excelsior Program offers free tuition only if you’re attending a CUNY or SUNY public school. Many private New York colleges have their own special scholarships.

While some New York scholarships require that students be New York residents and attend school in-state, others are more forgiving. For example, the Discover Penn State Award is given to a student who wants to attend Penn State and is from one of the following states:

  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • District of Columbia

If you receive a New York scholarship that requires you stay in state, make sure you consider that when deciding where to attend.

While the term “New York scholarship” makes it sound like you must be a resident to apply, this isn’t necessarily true. Not all New York scholarships require that you be a current resident to qualify.

For example, the New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) organization offers a scholarship for female students receiving their bachelor’s or master’s degree. They must be majoring in communications. Students can either be attending school in New York or be from New York, Connecticut or Pennsylvania.

There are many generous scholarship programs based in New York. One of the best options is the Excelsior Program which is available to students whose families meet certain income requirements (currently household income below $125,000). If you qualify, then you can attend a public college in the state of New York for free.

Students must be New York residents and plan to attend a State of New York (SUNY) or City of New York (CUNY) school. Also, you have to stay in the state after graduation for the same number of years that you received the scholarship. Students attending both two-year and four-year schools are eligible.

Many New York scholarships are open to students who live in any part of the Empire State, but there are also more hyper-local scholarships. These localized scholarships can be given to a student from a specific county, city or metro area.

For example, the Central New York STEM Scholarship is available to students from Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Tompkins counties. They must also be majoring in a STEM field.

You should do your own Google research for scholarships for students from your specific city, county and metro area. This can help you find scholarships that may be easier to win. Remember, the more specific the scholarship, the greater your chance of winning, provided that you meet all eligibility criteria.

Community college is usually less expensive than a four-year institution. However, students should still try to find scholarships to minimize the cost. Scholarships for community college, vocational school and technical college may be less readily available than other awards, but they’re still out there.

For example, the Marcy Houses Memorial Scholarship Fund is given to a student who lives in the Marcy Houses, which is a government housing unit that is part of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). To be eligible, students can attend a two- or four-year institution.

Some awards are specifically designated for graduate students only, while others are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

If you’re already in graduate or professional school, ask your department’s advisor or financial aid office if there are any scholarships you might be eligible for. They may have a running list of awards that students can apply for.

For example, New York Law School offers a full tuition scholarship, the Wilf Impact Public Interest Scholars Program. This scholarship is available to students who are interested in social justice and plan to serve the community with their law degree.

New York scholarships can range from extremely broad to narrow - all depending on the scholarship organization or company making the award. While general New York scholarships can be helpful for students who are unsure of what they want to study, specific scholarships can be more useful if you know what you want to major in.

For example, the LIFGA Scholarship is given to a student who is studying ornamental horticulture at a two- or four-year college. Applicants must be from the Long Island or New York area to be eligible.

Also, the James F. Reville Scholarship is given to a student who is a resident of New York and who wants to work with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.

While international students often don’t qualify for federal or state-based financial aid, they may still be eligible for scholarships and grants. Individual schools, however, are more likely to offer scholarships for international students.

For example, New York University (NYU) offers an International Student Scholarship that is worth between $5,000 and $10,000. Students must be receiving their master’s in Global Affairs or in Global Security, Conflict and Cybercrime.

When applying to a school as an international student, reach out to the financial aid office and ask if you are eligible for any scholarships. They can let you know what you can apply for. Some schools also offer tuition waivers to international students, which will substantially lower the cost of tuition.

Some New York scholarships are linked to where you go to school and where you live. If you transfer to a school out of state, then you may lose access to that award.

Also, some awards are only eligible for certain types of schools.

Before transferring, talk to the scholarship coordinator and figure out what will happen if you transfer. You may want to calculate what your new expenses will be if you do lose access to some of your New York scholarships.

African-American women have access to a number of scholarships tailored to them. Some will be exclusively for African-American women and others may give additional consideration to female applicants. For example, the YWCA Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Fund is given to a female African-American student from the Cincinnati area who has helped her community.

African-American women should also look for scholarships for women or scholarships for female minority students. Some scholarships do not directly advertise as minority scholarships but may seek out diverse applicants.

For example, the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship is open to all applicants but prioritizes those who have been historically excluded from the STEM industry, including African-American women.