State-Specific Scholarships in New York

The Value of State-Specific Scholarships

New York opportunities are endless, especially if you want to pursue higher education. Did you know that you have over 300 colleges and unis to choose from? Among the top choices here are Cornell, Columbia, NYU, and the vast SUNY and CUNY systems.

However, because of New York’s status and opportunities, pursuing a degree here can be expensive. Public universities in New York cost 13% more than the national average, while private schools are nearly 28% higher. Even community colleges in the state can be almost 60% more expensive than the U.S. average.

Don’t let this scare you off, though; college can still be made more affordable, even in New York.

The Big Apple has plenty to offer when it comes to reducing higher education expenses. There are grants, federal aid, work-study programs, and, most importantly, the New York state scholarships.

When considering tuition assistance, it is highly recommended to prioritize state scholarships. Why?

1. It’s free money. Unlike loans, you don’t have any obligation to pay them back.
2. Higher ROI! Less student loans means you can start building your future right away.
3. They give you more time to study, which equates to higher grades (more scholarships!). This helps you graduate on time and, ultimately, access greater career opportunities.
4. They are less competitive than scholarships open to students from all states. Your competition is only about 3 million students from New York, rather than the 19 million students nationwide competing for federal and national scholarships.
5. You’ll have an attractive resume. Winning/maintaining scholarships shows employers and graduate schools that you are dedicated to academic excellence.

State-specific scholarships for New York students are only one of the several ways the state helps its students. Other programs include:

• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Grants
• Work-Study Opportunities

Here’s a breakdown of student financial aid in New York (source: Education Data Initiative)

• Federal Grants: $2.093 billion awarded to 384,900 students ($5,437 per student)
• State Aid (2022-23): $1.049 billion (4.66% increase from previous year)
• State Need-Based Aid: 63.9% of total state funding ($670.3 million)
• State Spending on Students: $1,139 per undergraduate in 2021 (down 13.9% from 2020)

Aside from state-funded scholarships, many private organizations also offer scholarships exclusive only to students enrolled in New York. Let’s begin exploring the top New York college scholarships in 2025.

Related Articles:

• How to Find College Scholarships in Your State
• Top 10 Best Scholarships for College Students
• Unlocking Opportunities: Online Education Scholarships

Top State-Specific Scholarships in New York

Excelsior Scholarship

• Award Amount: Covers full tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools after other aid is applied.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Family income must not exceed $125,000.
  • Must attend a SUNY or CUNY school.
  • Enroll in at least 12 credits/semester and complete 30 credits/ year.
  • Live and worked in New York for the same number of years as the award was received.
• Application Deadline: Varies annually.
• How to Apply: Complete the Excelsior Scholarship application on the HESC website.

NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence

• Award Amount:
  • Up to $1,500 (top-ranked students)
  • Up to $500 (other eligible students)
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a New York high school senior.
  • Must be nominated by their high school based on academic achievement.
  • Must enroll in a New York college or university.
• Application Deadline: Determined by individual high schools.
• How to Apply: High schools submit nominations to the New York State Education Department.

World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship

• Award Amount: Covers full tuition, room and board, and other educational expenses at any SUNY, CUNY, or private college in New York.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a child, spouse, or financial dependent of a 9/11 victim, first responder, or recovery worker.
  • Household income of $125,000 or less
  • Complete 30+ credits per year
  • Live and work in NY for the length of the scholarship
• Application Deadline: Open year-round.
• How to Apply: Submit the application through the New York State HESC with the required documentation.

DCAS Scholarship

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a New York State resident.
  • Must be a Dutchess County resident and/or participate in programs operated by the agricultural society.
  • Must be active in a fair that is a member of the NYSAAF or the NYSSA.
  • Must plan to pursue (or currently be pursuing) an undergraduate degree in agriculture, horticulture, human ecology, or a related field.
• Application Deadline: May 10, 2025
• How to Apply: Complete the fillable PDF application available on the Dutchess County Fair’s website, through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County, or from local high school offices.

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Scholarship Program

• Award Amount: $6,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a permanent resident of one of the eight counties of Western New York.
  • Must be admitted to a nonprofit, accredited U.S. college or university for full-time undergraduate study.
  • Minimum GPA requirement: 2.0.
  • Strong preference is given to Pell-eligible students attending school within Western New York.
• Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
• How to Apply: Submit your application through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo website.

Horatio Alger Association State Scholarship – New York

• Award Amount: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be enrolled full-time as a high school junior in New York.
  • Must plan to pursue/complete a bachelor’s degree at a U.S.-accredited nonprofit public or private institution.
  • Family’s adjusted gross income must be $65,000 or lower.
  • Should show involvement in co-curricular and community service activities.
  • Minimum GPA requirement: 2.0.
• Application Deadline: Varies
• How to Apply: Visit the Horatio Alger Association website and search for “State Scholarship – New York.” Complete the application on the website and submit the required documentation. Scholarships can be used at any accredited college or university in New York.

The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship

• Award Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Have one or more disabilities (physical or psychological).
  • Provide a letter of confirmation from a physician.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen residing in New York.
• Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
• How to Apply: All required documents must be included for the application to be reviewed. If submitting electronically, files must be in PDF or DOC format (JPGs will not be accepted). For mailed submissions, applicants should avoid using staples.

Marcy Houses Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Award Amount: $1,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must currently reside in Brooklyn’s Marcy Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) property.
  • Must be accepted into an accredited college/unit/trade school.
• Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
• How to Apply:
  • Submit a completed application with your proof of residency, one letter of recommendation, official transcript, and evidence of acceptance to a college, a university, or a trade or vocational school.
  • Applicants may also be required to participate in an in-person or digital interview.

Emerald Creek Capital

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a graduating high school senior.
  • Must be a resident of New York City.
  • Must be accepted to or enrolled in a college for the upcoming fall semester.
• Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
• How to Apply:
  • Submit your completed application form along with an official high school transcript, and tax forms from the past two years verifying annual household income.
  • Submit a typed essay (maximum 750 words) answering the question: What experience and future aspirations make you qualified to receive this scholarship?

Kimberly Coffey Foundation Memorial Nursing Scholarship

• Award Amount: Varies
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a high school senior attending a school in New York state.
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • Must be accepted into an accredited BSN nursing program.
  • Must show documentation of receiving the meningococcal vaccination (MenACWY) and booster, if indicated.
  • Must provide documentation of starting or completing the meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccination series.
• Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
• How to Apply: Submit the following:
  • Completed application
  • Acceptance letter from an accredited BSN program
  • proof of MenACWY and MenB vaccinations
  • reference letter from a high school teacher
  • a short (250-word) essay on your nursing career choice and scholarship eligibility

How to Apply for New York State Scholarships

Every scholarship is different. You need to carefully check the specific criteria before applying.

Here’s a general step-by-step guide on how to apply for various private and state-funded scholarships in New York:

1. Meet eligibility requirements.

• Grades Matter: Many merit scholarships in New York require a certain GPA or test scores, and some may look at class rank or other academic achievements.
• Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Some scholarships are only for full-time students, but there are options for part-time or returning students, too.
• Your Major Counts: Some awards are only for certain fields, like STEM, education, or healthcare.
• Financial Need: Need-based scholarships in New York usually require you to fill out the FAFSA and may ask for extra financial info.
• Community Involvement: If you’re active in volunteering, leadership, or extracurriculars, you might have a better shot at certain scholarships.
• Post-Graduation Commitments: Some state-funded programs require you to work in New York after graduation, especially in fields like teaching or healthcare.

2. Write required prompts/personal essays.

Many New York scholarships require a personal essay or responses to specific prompts. These essays help scholarship committees understand you as a person.

Here’s how to apply for scholarships in New York with a strong application:

• Follow the prompt. Always always always stay on topic and answer exactly what’s asked. This applies whether it’s about career goals, community involvement, or financial need.
• Be authentic. Share your unique story and experiences—don’t be generic! Let your personality shine.
• Stick to the word limit. Too short might seem incomplete; too long could get you disqualified. Find the balance.
• Proofread. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Have a teacher, mentor, or friend review it before you hit submit!

3. Submit your application before the deadline.

New York tuition assistance programs have their own deadlines. You need always to be mindful and keep track of important dates. We also urge you to submit early as it will give you more time to fix any issues.

The best way? Create a schedule. Whether you prefer a planner, a digital calendar, or a simple checklist, find a system that works for you. Set reminders before deadlines sneak up, and group scholarships by type so you can prioritize the most valuable ones. If you’re more tech-savvy, use your phone or laptop calendar apps to get automatic deadline alerts.

Additional Resources for New York Students

Here are some helpful places to find the best scholarships for New York students:

• New York State Financial Aid Office: This should be one of your first stops! New York offers a ton of state-funded scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance programs, many of which are only available to in-state students.
• Your College’s Financial Aid Office: Most schools have their own scholarship programs, and some are only available to students already attending that college. Check your school’s website or visit the financial aid office in person—they can tell you about scholarships you might not find anywhere else.
• Scholarship Websites: Sites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board are gold mines. You can filter by location, major, background, and more to find scholarships that match your profile.
• Local Organizations & Businesses: These are often less competitive because fewer people apply. Check with local banks, religious organizations, and even places where you (or your parents) work—many companies offer scholarships to employees and their families!

Final Tips: Maximizing Your Scholarship Potential

Applying for scholarships isn’t always fun. However, landing them benefits you in more ways than one. They can:

1. Give you more free time to study.
2. Increase degree ROI.
3. Enhance resume and career opportunities.

By now, you know just how competitive these New York state scholarships can be. To boost your chances of winning, carefully review the scholarship requirements to ensure you qualify and submit all necessary documents. Missing key details could disqualify you before your application is even considered.