Scholarships & Financial Aid
New York State HESC
STEM Incentive Program - Aug. 15, 2025
NYS STEM Applications
Excelsior Scholarship
Opens in May for the 2025-26 Academic Year
Eligibility & Application
Enhanced Tuition Award
Opens in May for the 2025-26 Academic Year
Eligibility & Application
New York State Military Connected Scholarships
Open Year Round
MERIT Application and NYS Regents Award Application
New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Scholarships of $1,500 and $500 are provided to high-achieving students at registered New York State high schools. Awards are based on student grades on certain Regent's exams. Students are nominated by high schools. Talk to your high school counselor for more information on how you can receive this award. Recipients can also receive other non-loan student aid, but the total cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
WNY - Local
In addition to the scholarships listed here, students researching scholarship applications should also consult the WNY High School Counselor's Association local scholarship list.
American Legion
Past National Commander Michael J. Kogutek Trust. See Mrs. Carapetyan in Student Services.
Canisius Buffalo Promise Scholarship
This scholarship effectively covers 100% of tuition for up to four years of undergraduate study at the university to eligible admitted students. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must apply to Canisius and be admitted through the regular decision process, reside in Buffalo or any adjacent town with a ZIP code beginning with 142, and live in a household with an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less.
2025 Cannon Heyman & Weiss
Scholarship Fund will make scholarship awards for approved colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, and other post-secondary educational institutions leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
Carol Adragna Family Foundation Music Scholarship - June 20, 2025
Scholarship Application
Erie Community College Scholarships
Scroll to bottom to see current award information.
Scholarship Application link.
Erie County Federation of Sportsmen's Club, Inc. Scholarship
Two $500 awards. Applicants must be pursuing education in conservation. Online Application Form.
The Moynihan Fund - Aug. 1, 2025
Scholarship Application for accounting majors.
WNY Young Achievers - July 1, 2025
Scholarship Application
WNY Water Environment Association - June 13, 2025
For HS seniors who will enroll in an environmental related curriculum. Scholarship Application
National
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship. $1,000 award. Deadline to apply: June 10, 2025.
Frank M. Totton Essay Contest Sponsored by The Fifth Manhattan Masonic District Endowment Fund, Inc.
Horatio Alger Scholarship. See Mrs. Carapetyan in Student Services for the paper application.
Scholarships.com - Scholarships for Seniors (Class of 2025)
Scholarships for Black Students
Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship
StudentScholarships.org (240 scholarships distributed through 15 programs)
Student View Scholarship Program
The Best New York Scholarships
University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award for juniors. This is not a scholarship and students must be nominated by a staff member. See your counselor if interested.
U.S. Coast Guard scholarship. See Mrs. Carapetyan if interested.
FAFSA
- Financial Aid Slide Show for FAFSA: ACHS Counseling Center program featuring local university admissions.
- Start the FAFSA Form Here
- FSAOutreach Youtube Channel
- FAFSA Guidance
- The Best Advice and Resources for Filling Out the FAFSA
- Gov. Hochul Letter on FAFSA
HESC Launches New Financial Aid Pathway
Higher Education Services Corporation Launches New Application Pathway for New York State Financial Aid
Demonstrating a strong commitment to sensitivity, security, and accessibility, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has launched a new alternate financial aid pathway to help ensure all New York students have access to higher education.
The application is designed for eligible students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who do not want to complete a FAFSA due to concerns related to the privacy of their personal and family information but wish to apply for New York State financial aid.
Key Details of the Alternate Financial Aid Pathway
- This is not a financial aid program but an alternate pathway for eligible students to apply for New York State financial aid.
- The alternate pathway provides access to many New York State financial aid programs, such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
- A prescreening tool is available to help students determine the path best for them.
While the alternate pathway provides access to many New York State financial aid programs, it is important to note that students who do not complete the FAFSA will not be eligible for:
- Federal financial aid (Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, federal student loans), and the
- New York State Excelsior Scholarship/New York State Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA).
Updated guidance, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are available on HESC’s Alternate Eligibility Path information page.
For additional information, please sign up for one of HESC’s upcoming DREAM Act & Alternative Pathway Support Sessions and HESC text alerts.