New York State Education Department Scholarships for Academic Excellence
$1,500
Overview
The Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) are intended for high school students who are recognized as the top student(s) at their high school upon completion of their junior year. The award assists recipients in attending a college or university located in New York State.
2026 Awards (for the 2025–2026 academic year)
This notice describes SAE awards to be made in 2026 for the 2025–2026 academic year. Subject to the New York State Legislature appropriating funds during its 2026 session, a total of 8,000 scholarships will be granted: 2,000 awards of $1,500 each and 6,000 awards of $500 each.
Permitted...
Overview
The Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) are intended for high school students who are recognized as the top student(s) at their high school upon completion of their junior year. The award assists recipients in attending a college or university located in New York State.
2026 Awards (for the 2025–2026 academic year)
This notice describes SAE awards to be made in 2026 for the 2025–2026 academic year. Subject to the New York State Legislature appropriating funds during its 2026 session, a total of 8,000 scholarships will be granted: 2,000 awards of $1,500 each and 6,000 awards of $500 each.
Permitted...
Dr. Marlene Caroselli Excellence-in-Communication Scholarship
$5,000
Purpose
This award honors Monroe County high school seniors (and eligible current undergraduates) who consistently excel in both written and oral communication and who intend to pursue college study and a career that depend on strong communication skills.
Application period
December 1 through February 28.
Award amounts and quantity
- The number of recipients and the award amounts vary.
- Awards average $5,000 and will not exceed the cost of tuition.
- An award may be divided among two or more recipients.
Permitted uses
Funds may be applied to tuition, fees, books, and other higher-education–related expenses.
Who is eligible
Applicants...
Purpose
This award honors Monroe County high school seniors (and eligible current undergraduates) who consistently excel in both written and oral communication and who intend to pursue college study and a career that depend on strong communication skills.
Application period
December 1 through February 28.
Award amounts and quantity
- The number of recipients and the award amounts vary.
- Awards average $5,000 and will not exceed the cost of tuition.
- An award may be divided among two or more recipients.
Permitted uses
Funds may be applied to tuition, fees, books, and other higher-education–related expenses.
Who is eligible
Applicants...
Clark Family Mental Health and Disability Scholarship
$7,500
Purpose
This scholarship provides financial assistance to people who are working in—or intend to work in—the fields of developmental disabilities or behavioral health within the eight-county region around Rochester (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates). The award is intended to strengthen professional practice and increase the workforce serving developmental disabilities and behavioral health.
Application period
December 1 through February 28
Award amount and number of recipients
The count of scholarships and individual award sizes fluctuate from year to year. The typical award is approximately $7,500. Actual award levels are determined by a student’s cost of attendance, demonstrated...
Purpose
This scholarship provides financial assistance to people who are working in—or intend to work in—the fields of developmental disabilities or behavioral health within the eight-county region around Rochester (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates). The award is intended to strengthen professional practice and increase the workforce serving developmental disabilities and behavioral health.
Application period
December 1 through February 28
Award amount and number of recipients
The count of scholarships and individual award sizes fluctuate from year to year. The typical award is approximately $7,500. Actual award levels are determined by a student’s cost of attendance, demonstrated...
William Jackson Hawley Scholarship
$3,000
Purpose
This need-based scholarship is intended to support a student whose parent has either recently died from cancer or is currently undergoing cancer treatment, helping the student remain enrolled in college and complete a bachelor’s degree when family finances have been disrupted by medical bills or reduced household income caused by cancer.
Award details
- Total fund: One $3,000 award. The award may be divided among two or three recipients.
- Minimum individual amount: $1,000.
- Disbursement: The full award amount is sent to the recipient’s college account in the Fall as a single payment to be applied equally to...
Purpose
This need-based scholarship is intended to support a student whose parent has either recently died from cancer or is currently undergoing cancer treatment, helping the student remain enrolled in college and complete a bachelor’s degree when family finances have been disrupted by medical bills or reduced household income caused by cancer.
Award details
- Total fund: One $3,000 award. The award may be divided among two or three recipients.
- Minimum individual amount: $1,000.
- Disbursement: The full award amount is sent to the recipient’s college account in the Fall as a single payment to be applied equally to...
Louis P. and Betty A. Iacona Nursing Scholarship
$12,000
Purpose
- To offer financial support to students who live in Monroe County and are preparing for a career in nursing.
Who may apply
- Monroe County residents who are planning to enter or are already enrolled in a nursing program at a two- or four-year college or university.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
- Relevant volunteer or community service experience will be taken into account.
Application window
- Applications are accepted December 1 through February 28.
Award amount and distribution
- One award of $12,000 is available. It is...
Purpose
- To offer financial support to students who live in Monroe County and are preparing for a career in nursing.
Who may apply
- Monroe County residents who are planning to enter or are already enrolled in a nursing program at a two- or four-year college or university.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
- Relevant volunteer or community service experience will be taken into account.
Application window
- Applications are accepted December 1 through February 28.
Award amount and distribution
- One award of $12,000 is available. It is...
Nautilus Scholarship
$4,000
Purpose
Provide scholarship assistance to Monroe County high school seniors who plan to pursue degrees or programs in architecture, construction, construction management, related technical fields, a trades program, or teacher certification in a STEM discipline.
Application period
Applications accepted December 1 through February 28.
Award amounts and distribution
- One renewable undergraduate scholarship totaling $4,000, intended for students entering a two- or four-year professional degree program. This is awarded as $1,000 per academic year for up to four consecutive undergraduate years. Each annual $1,000 installment is disbursed in the Fall and allocated equally between the Fall and Spring semesters (i.e.,...
Purpose
Provide scholarship assistance to Monroe County high school seniors who plan to pursue degrees or programs in architecture, construction, construction management, related technical fields, a trades program, or teacher certification in a STEM discipline.
Application period
Applications accepted December 1 through February 28.
Award amounts and distribution
- One renewable undergraduate scholarship totaling $4,000, intended for students entering a two- or four-year professional degree program. This is awarded as $1,000 per academic year for up to four consecutive undergraduate years. Each annual $1,000 installment is disbursed in the Fall and allocated equally between the Fall and Spring semesters (i.e.,...
New York Grace Legendre Endowment Fellowships
$2,000
Introduction / History
Since its founding in 1989 through the end of 2025, the New York Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. (GLEF) has distributed more than $211,500 in fellowship support to 179 women who are residents of New York State. Of those recipients, 119 were pursuing master’s degrees and 56 were doctoral candidates, studying across 59 different graduate fields.
Recent and upcoming awards
Fellowships are granted each year to eligible women pursuing graduate study; the number of awards and award amounts change annually. For the 2025–26 academic year, GLEF awarded a total of $6,500. For the 2026–27 academic year, the...
Introduction / History
Since its founding in 1989 through the end of 2025, the New York Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. (GLEF) has distributed more than $211,500 in fellowship support to 179 women who are residents of New York State. Of those recipients, 119 were pursuing master’s degrees and 56 were doctoral candidates, studying across 59 different graduate fields.
Recent and upcoming awards
Fellowships are granted each year to eligible women pursuing graduate study; the number of awards and award amounts change annually. For the 2025–26 academic year, GLEF awarded a total of $6,500. For the 2026–27 academic year, the...
Armenian Scholarship Fund
$4,000
Purpose
To help graduating high school seniors who plan careers in medicine, science, or music with college costs. Applicants of Armenian descent will receive special consideration.
Application window
Applications are accepted from December 1 through February 28.
Number and amount of awards
One scholarship of $4,000 is offered. It is awarded as $1,000 per year for up to four consecutive undergraduate years. The Foundation issues the award to the recipient’s school in the fall as a single payment that is then applied equally to the fall and spring semesters.
Permitted uses
Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, textbooks, and...
Purpose
To help graduating high school seniors who plan careers in medicine, science, or music with college costs. Applicants of Armenian descent will receive special consideration.
Application window
Applications are accepted from December 1 through February 28.
Number and amount of awards
One scholarship of $4,000 is offered. It is awarded as $1,000 per year for up to four consecutive undergraduate years. The Foundation issues the award to the recipient’s school in the fall as a single payment that is then applied equally to the fall and spring semesters.
Permitted uses
Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, textbooks, and...
Rochester Cavalry Troops Scholarship
$10,000
Purpose
Provide financial assistance to individuals affiliated with New York Army National Guard units, detachments, or elements based in Monroe County who intend to pursue post‑secondary education.
Who may apply (Eligibility)
- Current National Guard members or those who retired within the past year and who are connected to Patriot Way.
- Spouses and dependent children of those Guard members.
- Surviving spouses and dependent children of Monroe County Guard members connected to Patriot Way who died while on duty, in training, or in combat. (Note: a surviving spouse who has remarried is ineligible.)
All applicants must demonstrate financial need,...
Purpose
Provide financial assistance to individuals affiliated with New York Army National Guard units, detachments, or elements based in Monroe County who intend to pursue post‑secondary education.
Who may apply (Eligibility)
- Current National Guard members or those who retired within the past year and who are connected to Patriot Way.
- Spouses and dependent children of those Guard members.
- Surviving spouses and dependent children of Monroe County Guard members connected to Patriot Way who died while on duty, in training, or in combat. (Note: a surviving spouse who has remarried is ineligible.)
All applicants must demonstrate financial need,...
Joel Ayite Ajavon Memorial Scholarship
$4,000
Introduction
This scholarship was created by friends and family in memory of Joel Ayite Ajavon, who passed away far too soon. It supports graduating high school seniors who intend to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, or trades at a two-year community college in Western New York.
Application period
December 1 to February 28
Who is eligible
- Graduating high school seniors who reside in Monroe County.
- Plan to enroll full-time at a two-year community college in Western New York.
- Have a primary interest in studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, or trades.
- Demonstrate financial...
Introduction
This scholarship was created by friends and family in memory of Joel Ayite Ajavon, who passed away far too soon. It supports graduating high school seniors who intend to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, or trades at a two-year community college in Western New York.
Application period
December 1 to February 28
Who is eligible
- Graduating high school seniors who reside in Monroe County.
- Plan to enroll full-time at a two-year community college in Western New York.
- Have a primary interest in studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, or trades.
- Demonstrate financial...
Albert Shanker College Scholarship Fund
$5,000
Overview
Each year the United Federation of Teachers awards a total of $1 million in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study to high-achieving, financially qualified students who attended New York City public schools. Recipients exemplify the academic success possible in the city’s public system and reflect both their own commitment and the support of the educators who helped them.
Undergraduate Eligibility
Applicants for the undergraduate scholarships must be graduating seniors from New York City public high schools — including vocational, academic, or alternative schools — or students receiving an equivalency diploma through a public evening school or a New York...
Overview
Each year the United Federation of Teachers awards a total of $1 million in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study to high-achieving, financially qualified students who attended New York City public schools. Recipients exemplify the academic success possible in the city’s public system and reflect both their own commitment and the support of the educators who helped them.
Undergraduate Eligibility
Applicants for the undergraduate scholarships must be graduating seniors from New York City public high schools — including vocational, academic, or alternative schools — or students receiving an equivalency diploma through a public evening school or a New York...
Jennifer Grimes Lindley Scholarship
$1,000
Intro
The Jennifer Grimes Lindley Scholarship supports young women from Monroe and Yates counties who plan to pursue education after high school, with preference given to those entering engineering programs.
Application period
December 1 – February 28
Award amounts and benefits
Two $1,000 awards will be granted — one for a qualifying student from Monroe County and one for a qualifying student from Yates County. Each recipient also receives a four‑year student membership in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The scholarship is distributed as a single payment in the fall.
Permitted uses of funds
Scholarship funds may be...
Intro
The Jennifer Grimes Lindley Scholarship supports young women from Monroe and Yates counties who plan to pursue education after high school, with preference given to those entering engineering programs.
Application period
December 1 – February 28
Award amounts and benefits
Two $1,000 awards will be granted — one for a qualifying student from Monroe County and one for a qualifying student from Yates County. Each recipient also receives a four‑year student membership in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The scholarship is distributed as a single payment in the fall.
Permitted uses of funds
Scholarship funds may be...
