Scholarships Through the Foundation

The SUNY Schenectady Foundation Scholarship Program

Five scholarship recipients standing with their scholarship donor.

As part of our commitment to student access and success, the SUNY Schenectady Foundation offers scholarships to students currently or soon to be enrolled at SUNY Schenectady. Scholarships are available to prospective and current students, awarded based on an online application and essay.

The scholarship program for students is a key priority of the SUNY Schenectady Foundation. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Foundation offered 200 scholarships, totaling $259,285. Awards range from $250 to $5,000 and each goes directly toward fees and books on student accounts. Foundation scholarships are especially helpful because they are available ONLY to SUNY Schenectady students. 

If you have any questions about the SUNY Schenectady Foundation Scholarship Program, please contact:

The scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open.

The scholarship application is available online at AwardSpring.

Requirements

  • The College uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine how much financial a student is eligible to receive. Some scholarships are need-based and require that the FAFSA is completed before the deadline to apply. Not all Scholarships require that a student complete the FAFSA, however. Students who cannot complete a FAFSA should still apply for scholarships. More information about the FAFSA can be found by visiting the website of our Office of Financial Aid.
  • All scholarship applicants must be registered for the Fall 2025 semester to receive scholarship funds on their student accounts.
  • All scholarship recipients must submit a copy of their Fall 2025 class schedule, a picture of themselves, and a thank you note in order to receive scholarship funds on their student accounts.

Application Deadlines

  • Current Students: May 26, 2025
  • New Students: July 14, 2025

Share Your Story!

Scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee of SUNY Schenectady faculty, staff, and Foundation Board members. The questions below are designed to help the committee better understand who you are and guide them in making informed decisions about scholarship awards. While the quality and depth of your responses matter, the most important thing is that you share YOUR story with us. Thoughtful, sincere, and thorough answers will give you the best chance of receiving a scholarship.

  • Why did you choose to enroll at SUNY Schenectady?
  • Describe your goals as a student at SUNY Schenectady.
  • How will a scholarship help you reach your goals?
  • In at least 2-3 paragraphs, please share additional information that will help the review committee get to know more about you (accomplishments, volunteer work, obstacles, challenges, past experiences that sparked your passions, etc.).
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“Thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to continue to pursue my education in the field of Human Services. Your scholarship will allow me to continue to help make a difference in the lives of others, especially in my community.”