The Best New York Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2024

About scholarships in New York

New York is densely populated with a wide array of nationalities and ample opportunities at its multifaceted institutions. New York state welcomes its residents and those abroad to study and work in The Empire State. New York offers several monetary awards including scholarships for New York state residents. New Yorkers will find external funding and support through these scholarships to assist them in their academic endeavors.

NYS Higher Education Services Corporation offers grants, scholarships, and loan information for residents seeking higher education in the state of New York. Their NYS Tuition Assistance Program helps eligible New York residents pay for their education whether they attend public or private colleges and universities. TAP is grant assistance that can be awarded annually and does not require repayment. You must be a New York resident for a full 12 months to qualify for this tuition assistance program.

Another great opportunity provided in New York is the Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS) which distributes financial relief to many children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state-organized militia. Be sure to read the eligibility criteria for The Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute scholarship program before applying.

Bold.org also offers scholarships for New York students to help alleviate the financial costs of post-secondary education. These exclusive scholarships will not be found elsewhere. New scholarships are created on Bold.org every day generating a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. 

New York students and student debt

Student loan debt is soaring nationwide and New York students alone have an outstanding balance of $90.3 billion in student loan debt. Graduate students represent about 15% of total college enrollment, holding 43% of student loan debt. For students in an undergraduate program, roughly one-third of their financial aid package is made up of student loans. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that student loan debt now represents a greater proportion of total consumer debt in New York State than at any time in the past 10 years.

About 59% of students in New York graduate with debt which is why scholarships are now more important than ever. On average tuition and fees at private 2-year college costs $5,367 for in-state attendees, while out-of-state attendees pay an estimated $9,197. Private four-year institutions charge an average of $56,958 in tuition costs.

Scholarships play a key role in alleviating some of the financial burdens of tuition costs and education-related expenses. Maximize your scholarship earnings to alleviate financial expenses by applying to as many scholarships as you can on Bold.org. You are welcome to browse through our scholarships attuned to your needs.

Colleges in New York

New York State earns exemplary marks both for public and private colleges! New York has more than 300 public and private colleges and universities. Vocational schools, or technical schools, in the state offer a variety of certificates, diplomas, and degrees available to prepare graduates for entry-level positions across a multitude of industries. Community Colleges are a great option for students in NYS as they have an open-door admissions policy — all students are accepted regardless of academic record. 

Public and private four-year colleges and universities in the state offer students a large number of majors to pursue careers best suited to them. New York is massively diverse and students have an array of options to choose from for their studies. The Empire State is so vast it is impossible to name all the institutions and scholarship opportunities offered.

Private universities in New York

While private schools are generally more expensive, they tend to be smaller and often more academically rigorous. Private schools in New York are rich in history providing students a level of academic excellence seldom found elsewhere.

At Columbia University in the city of New York, the Ivy League school does not offer academic, athletic, or talent-based institutional scholarships, all of their institutional financial funding is need-based. Columbia's students who have achieved academic excellence typically receive a merit scholarship from an outside organization. 

In comparison, New York University offers five scholarships in honor of fire, police, and emergency workers who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. NYU considers a family’s demonstrated need in addition to a variety of academic and non-academic factors, including extracurricular impact, community service, demonstrated leadership, and more.

Public universities in New York

State colleges and universities are usually less expensive than private colleges and universities. Approximately 97% of enrolled students attend public institutions. An honorable public institution in the state of New York is The United States Military Academy at West Point, founded in 1802. The Military Academy’s Academic Program offers scholarships to graduates interested in developing their intellectual foundation for service as highly-educated commissioned officers.

Moreover, The State University of New York (SUNY) and The City University of New York (CUNY) offer a scholarship known as The Excelsior Scholarship that helps New York State students pay for their college tuition. The Excelsior Scholarship in combination with other financial funding programs covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. 

Additionally, The New York State Part-Time Scholarship offers eligible part-time students, who are New York State residents, awards to cover the cost of 6 credit hours or $1,500 per term for SUNY or CUNY Community College students.

New York student demographics

New York has the third-highest college enrollment of any state in the nation with more than a million college students enrolled in higher education. Approximately 77.5% of students enrolled in New York colleges are New York state residents with roughly 22.5% non-residents.

Nearly 45% of English Language Learners were born outside the United States and they make up almost 10% of the NYS public school student population. The metropolitan area is the most linguistically diverse urban center in the world with over 200 languages spoken in the state of New York. In 2018 33% of adult immigrant students had a college degree or other form of education in New York.

The best scholarships for New York students

New York State scholarships are tailored specifically towards New York, limiting the number of eligible candidates. Applying for New York State scholarships can help students in New York lessen their educational expenses. One of the best things about scholarships in New York is the abundance of opportunities.

Bold.org offers a plethora of scholarships and encourages students to apply to as many scholarships as they wish to maximize their scholarship awards. Below is a list of scholarships offered by Bold.org waiting to be awarded to New York college students.

Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship

In memory of Manny and his wife, Sylvia Weiner, this scholarship seeks to support undergraduates in a pre-med track or current medical students from New Jersey or New York. Any student in a pre-med or medical school program from New Jersey or New York who has financial needs and wants to become an M.D. may apply for this scholarship.

HM Family Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support ambitious BIPOC students who are exploring educational and professional STEM opportunities. Any high school senior or undergraduate BIPOC student who lives in New York and is interested in studying or working in STEM may apply for this scholarship. 

NY Law Scholarship

Any Black law student in New York who is committed to practicing law may apply for this scholarship, but first-generation students who are members of the Black Law Student Association are preferred. This scholarship seeks to support a Black law student in New York to help with the costs of law school.

Thomas J. Kilcullen Memorial Scholarship

Any student in New York who is pursuing criminal justice, social work, or a similar field may apply for this scholarship. Students who have volunteering experience within the special needs community are strongly encouraged to apply. This scholarship aims to honor Thomas J. Kilcullen’s life by supporting a criminal justice or social work student who demonstrates leadership, kindness, and respect for all.

Kenny Tan Test Prep Scholarship

As one small part of promoting more thoughtful discussion around the admission system for NYC's top public schools, the Kenny Tan Test Prep Scholarship will support a high school student who uses facts and reason to discuss the current system in ways that move the conversation forward. The scholarship is open to all New York City Public School students who are currently in high school.

Cardel Love Scholarship

Any BIPOC high school senior from New York who will be a first-generation college student may apply for this scholarship. This scholarship seeks to honor Cardel’s life and legacy by supporting first-generation, BIPOC students from New York so they can pursue higher education.

Additional scholarships that students in New York should consider

In addition to New York college scholarships, Bold.org offers a multiplicity of scholarships to consider. By accessing Bold.org, New York students will find a plethora of scholarships available with regard to academic merit, financial need, athletic, and more. If you win a scholarship through Bold.org, the award money will be sent by check to your school's financial office. Fortunately, there's no limit to how many scholarships you can win. Start applying today to maximize your earnings!

1. Melaninwhitecoats Podcast Annual Scholarship
2. Pro-Life Advocates Scholarship
3. Coding for Minorities Scholarship
4. Surya Education Assistance Scholarship
5. Cyndy Cervantes Scholarship for Oncology Social Work

Scholarships for high school students in New York

Most scholarships are tailored towards graduating high school seniors, with that said, a New York State high school graduating senior has a higher chance of winning scholarship awards. NYS high school graduates are encouraged to apply as well as high school seniors still attending school. 

Scholarships for high school students are not limited to seniors. High school students, regardless of year, residing in New York are also encouraged to apply. The earlier students apply, the better their chances of maximizing their awarded scholarships. 

When you begin searching for scholarships it is important to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. Typically federal student aid includes a federal student loan which many students opt for to pay for their college expenses. Financial aid comes in a variety of forms, and one of the most significant is scholarships. These funds enable students to obtain an education they may not have access to otherwise.

Students in New York State high schools, or students attending a New York City high school, can apply for NYS scholarships for academic merit among several other financial funding opportunities. Below we have gathered a list of scholarships on Bold.org for high school students.

1. Robert Wechman Mental Health Scholarship
2. Whitworth University Mind & Heart Scholarship
3. Informed Consumer Scholarship
4. Paige's Promise Scholarship
5. Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship

Exclusive scholarships for high school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are offered by Bold.org to help high school students maximize their scholarship earnings before they pursue post-secondary education.

New York State scholarships for high school seniors

The New York State Education Department offers scholarships for academic excellence to high school seniors amongst other in-state funding opportunities. A rewarding scholarship for high school seniors in New York State is The New York Times College Scholarship Program. This program launched in 1999, designed to assist students who have demonstrated academic accomplishment and faced hardship or other obstacles. Recipients will receive four-year scholarships of up to $15,000 per academic year.

Bold.org also presents high school seniors with numerous scholarships. The scholarship opportunities listed below are exclusive to high school seniors that New York students can apply for.

1. Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship
2. Davila Scholarship
3. Frances Loretta Memorial Scholarship
4. Verto Semester Abroad Scholarship
5. Richard Neumann Scholarship

Additional scholarships for high school seniors can be found here!

Scholarships for current college students in New York

A common misconception is that scholarships are only for high school students. Current college students have access to an abundance of lucrative scholarship opportunities. New York State undergraduate and graduate college students should apply for scholarships to reduce the cost of their tuition and related expenses. Bold.org offers scholarships to any student of any educational level. Submit a scholarship application now by clicking on one of the scholarships listed below!

1. Pool Family LGBT+ Scholarship
2. International Studies Scholarship
3. Debra Victoria Scholarship
4. Sports in Action Scholarship
5. Taylor Coleman’s “More than a Conqueror” Scholarship Award

Exclusive scholarships for graduate students attending a graduate degree-granting institution can be found here!

Scholarships for Hispanic students in New York

Colleges are always striving to diversify campuses and make their schools open to students from all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and religious backgrounds. There are thousands of scholarships designed specifically for Latinx and Hispanic students. Hispanic students in New York are encouraged to apply to scholarships tailored specifically towards them including scholarships for minorities.

When it comes to higher education, Hispanic undergraduates and graduate students are among the most disadvantaged groups. For that reason, a multitude of scholarships is available for Hispanic and Latinx students. Here at Bold.org, we're committed to reducing student debt and encourage students to exhaust their scholarship opportunities by applying to as many as they wish. If you have Latin or Hispanic heritage apply to the scholarships Bold.org offers below!

1. "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship
2. Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship
3. Latinas in STEM Scholarship
4. Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship
5. College Showdown Scholarship

Scholarships for out of state students in New York

If you are not a New York State resident, it's important to contact your state financial aid agency to ask about programs for which you may qualify. Bold.org offers scholarships that out-of-state students looking to pursue a college in NY can use as well as students who are already NY residents. By searching through Bold.org's catalog of scholarships, out-of-state students will find an abundance of scholarships waiting to be awarded.

1. Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
2. Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship
3. Marissa Collections Scholarship
4. Noah Jon Markstrom Student Debt Paydown Grant
5. Bold Generosity Matters Scholarship

Scholarships in New York for international students

The United States offers a plentitude of academic programs, world-class institutions, and unparalleled versatility. International students seeking a college education in New York or elsewhere in the United States should start financial planning as early as possible. Due to limited sources of financial aid for foreign nationals, they must seek external funding, namely scholarships.

EducationUSA is an international student advising network facilitated by the US Department of State that has over 400 centers across more than 170 countries and territories. In this network, you will find reliable, comprehensive, and prevalent information about opportunities for studying in the United States.

Scholarships are essential for foreign students seeking funding for their education in the US. Several excellent international scholarship opportunities are available right here at Bold.org. Simply apply to one of the scholarships below to start earning financial awards for your educational journey!

1. Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship
2. I Am Third Scholarship
3. Pettable Life Transitions Pet Lovers Scholarship
4. WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship
5. Bold Nature Matters Scholarship

For more information about international scholarship opportunities click here!

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in New York

How to get a scholarship to the New York Film Academy

Academic achievement is not the only way to be awarded scholarships. The New York Film Academy has a variety of options for funding your studies including federal student aid, merit-based scholarships, financial need-based scholarships, and talent-based scholarships. One of the first steps in searching for scholarships or other financial assistance for The New York Film Academy is to contact their financial aid office. The staff will advise you on how to maximize your resources and offer educational funding guidance.

The New York Film Academy (NYFA) offers Need-Based Tuition awards to all qualifying students. This tuition assistance helps reduce the costs of long-term New York Film Academy programs and is available to students with proven financial needs. For consideration, eligible applicants must provide documentation of a credible need and must also submit an essay describing their needs and accomplishments. The completed application should be faxed to the academy's financial aid office. Before applying for this award, applicants must be accepted students in an approved undergraduate program or graduate program.

The NYFA Merit-Based Tuition Award provides funding to qualified candidates for its Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts approved undergraduate studies; recipients for this merit scholarship must demonstrate academic accomplishment, leadership, community service, and commitment to the arts. A student's application is evaluated based on the information provided in the admissions process. This includes the applicant's high school cumulative grade point average and documentation of leadership roles, awards, service in the community, or artistic involvement. 

Each scholarship offered at NFYA has its own eligibility requirements and application process. For international students, NYFA advises prospective students to reach out to an NYFA Admissions Specialist for more information for funding resources.

How can I use a scholarship? 

A scholarship award can be used for any educational expense including, tuition and books. Eligibility criteria for scholarship use are determined by the donor or your school. Upon winning a scholarship, the funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office to be applied to your tuition and other education-related expenses. Scholarships from private sources, such as family donors or organizations, may even be deposited directly into your college account or sent to you by check or direct deposit. 

In the event that you received scholarships and grants that exceeded your total tuition and fees, your school may refund the remaining scholarship award. If you get a tuition refund directly or indirectly, you can often use that money towards education costs like books, or room and board, among other related expenses. 

To receive a scholarship, do I have to fill out the FAFSA?  

Scholarship policies vary from one college to another. Generally, if you apply for any form of financial aid your school may ask you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarship applications typically do not require a completed FAFSA form. To be sure reach out to your college's financial aid office. At Bold.org you do not need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for our scholarships. 

Are scholarships taxable in New York State?

Scholarships can enable students to pursue a higher education that otherwise might not have been possible, which is why the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is generous in minimizing students' tax obligations. You generally do not have to pay taxes on your awarded scholarship money. 

Degree-seeking students who receive grants, scholarships, or fellowships are required to pay taxes on the money only if the total exceeds the value of their qualified tuition and related expenses. Scholarships won through Bold.org will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office, so you don't need to worry about paying taxes on them.