Prestigious Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships at CUNY

Our goal is to provide students with one location to find accurate and up to date information regarding scholarships, those awarded by CUNY and Queensborough Community College, along with scholarships awarded by external organizations (corporations, etc.)



Hunter College Transfer Scholarships - Community College Partnership Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount:
Information:

Requirements

  • Students must have either completed an Associate's Degree or be enrolled in the last Semester leading to the Associate's Degree completion.

How to Apply

There is no application process for the Community College Partnership Scholarship.  Students will be selected for the scholarship based on the performance at their previous community college.  Please note, only students who applied for admission and completed their application before the priority deadline will be considered for the scholarship.

Award Notification

Recipients for the scholarship for the Fall semester will be notified via email by April 15.  Recipients of the scholarship for Spring semester will be notified via email by December 15.

Maintaining Award

  • File an electronic FAFSA upon acceptance of this scholarship and annually thereafter by February of every academic year.
  • Maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 during your enrollment at Hunter College.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment with a minimum of 12 credits per semester

The Jacqueline Schiller Scholarship Fund

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $1,000
Information:

The Jacqueline Schiller Fund was established in The New York Community Trust to provide scholarships to CUNY students in the fields of literature and/or history who are among the best and brightest and who demonstrate financial need. The fields of literature and history are very broad and include many courses and many different programs. Through the scholarship, the Fund provides a financial assessment to those students who demonstrate financial need. For the 2021 - 22 academic year, there will be ten scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.

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The Guttman Scholarship for High-Achieving Community College Graduates

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $4,000 (four semesters at $1,000 a semester)
Information:

To apply for the Spring 2024 cohort, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Earn an associate degree from any of CUNY’s community colleges in the Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023 or Winter 2023 semester.
  • Have a current cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
  • Apply for financial aid by filing a FAFSA. Priority is given to those who are eligible for financial aid.
  • Apply for a Spring 2024 transfer to Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman, or Queens College and enroll full time in Spring 2024 (at least 12 credits).
  • Spring 2024 must be the applicant’s first semester in senior college.

Scholarships will be awarded based on a review of your transcript, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation. Find more details about this scholarship opportunity and eligibility requirements.

These scholarships are offered twice each year, in the fall and spring. Applications are due in the semester prior to transfer.

  • Students who meet eligibility requirements will have a link to the online application in their CUNYfirst “To Do” list.
  • Students must complete an online application, including a personal essay.
  • One letter of recommendation is required.
  • A faculty selection committee will review applications, and scholarships will be awarded based on a review of your transcript, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation.
  • For more information, please review these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

For more information

Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation logo

CUNY - New York City Housing Authority Scholarship Programs for High Achieving Students

 

CUNY Resident Scholarship Program

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $1,000
Information:

About The NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship 

 The NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship is a collaboration of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the City University New York (CUNY) to help low-and moderate-income NYCHA residents attending CUNY colleges, as undergraduates, realize their full potential through higher education. Annually, the scholarship awards $1000 to eligible NYCHA residents who are enrolled at CUNY colleges.  

Requirements for scholarship eligibility:  

·         Authorized NYCHA residency or section 8 tenant

·         Have earned a minimum of 24 credits by the time of application 

·         Have a minimum 3.0 GPA 

·         Submit a 750 word essay

·         Currently enrolled, full-time undergraduate or graduate students at any CUNY community or senior college 

·         Additional criteria may be applicable

Please refer to http://opportunitynycha.org/about-adult-education/college-scholarships/ for more detailed information regarding the scholarship.

Application:


Thomas Tam Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $1,000
Information:

The Thomas Tam Scholarship is funded by an endowment established by the City University of New York in recognition of Dr. Thomas Tam’s contributions as a former member of the CUNY Board of Trustees, founding Executive Director of the Asian American / Asian Research Institute, and leadership in the Asian American community. The Scholarship awards $1,000 to an individual qualified undergraduate student that is currently enrolled at any of the twenty-one colleges within CUNY, Asian or non-Asian, who has demonstrated creativity in the communication of the concerns of the Asian American community in areas such as health, education, culture, media or advocacy/activism.

All currently enrolled CUNY undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Thomas Tam Scholarship.

Display of communication of the concerns of the Asian American community can be in the form of written reports, film, video, new media techniques, and the development of performances or materials in the arts and sciences.

The following are the issues to be addressed in your application for the Tam Scholarship. Please be sure to cover all of the points in your application.

  1. Please describe your project in detail, be sure to tell us about the issue of concern to the Asian American community that the project is designed to address.
  2. Please explain how your project demonstrates creativity in communicating the concerns of Asian Americans in areas such as health, education, culture, media and advocacy.
  3. What are the objectives or goals of the project, i.e. what do you want to accomplish, or what impact or effect will it have? How will you know that it has been successful?
  4. How was the project implemented, or if in progress or a future project, please describe how it will be implemented?
  5. Is the project completed, is it in progress or is it a future project? (Note: Uncompleted/future projects will only receive partial scholarship award until they are completed).
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Queens College Transfer Honors Program

Deadline Date: Open
Award Amount: $1000
Information:

The new Queens College Transfer Honors Program is designed for highly motivated and creative students who wish to complete their bachelor’s degree at a world-class college that challenges them to do their best.

All students admitted to the Transfer Honors program are eligible to apply for a minimum scholarship of $1000 a semester for four to six semesters (to complete the bachelor’s degree program).

Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply, you must be a full-time student with 45+ credits in a baccalaureate, AA, or AS program with a 3.3+ GPA. Students in AA/AS programs must ordinarily complete the degree to be eligible for scholarships.

Exceptional students with an AA/AS degree and a 3.5 GPA, or 60+ credits in a baccalaureate program and a 3.5 GPA can apply for scholarships ranging from half-tuition to full tuition (NY resident tuition rate).

More

2019 University Student Senate (USS) Scholarships

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $1000 - $1500

Information:

Established in 1995 by the University Student Senate of the City University of New York, the USS Merit Scholarship was renamed the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship in 2010. The scholarship awards one student per campus, per academic year for demonstrating outstanding academic and leadership performance under extraordinary circumstances. In 2003, the University Student Senate of the City University of New York established the Donald & Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship; which was renamed the USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino International Students and Students with Disabilities Scholarship in 2010. The scholarship recognizes international students and students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances. Two students per campus, per academic year are awarded the scholarship.

Requirements for Donald & Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarships

  • Undergraduate applicants must be matriculated (seeking a degree) and currently registered (Fall 2019) for a minimum of six (6) credits.
  • Applicants shall also meet the same requirements during the semester which the scholarship is awarded (Spring 2020); graduating seniors are not eligible.
  • Undergraduate applicants must have already completed a minimum of six (6) credits at a CUNY college.
  • All applicants must be permanent residents, citizens, or NYC residents to apply for any USS Scholarship (the only exception being international students).
  • Only Students with Disabilities and International Students are eligible to apply for the Passantino Scholarships.
  • Possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • This scholarship is worth $1000

Requirements for Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship

  • Undergraduate applicants must be matriculated (seeking a degree) and currently registered (Spring 2019) for a minimum of six (6) credits.
  • Applicants shall also meet the same requirements during the semester which the scholarship is awarded (Fall 2019); graduating seniors are not eligible.
  • Undergraduate applicants must have already completed a minimum of six (6) credits at a CUNY college.
  • All applicants must be permanent residents, citizens, or NYC residents to apply for any USS Scholarship (the only exception being international students).
  • Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • This scholarship is worth $1500

Students who meet the above requirements will need the following documents to submit their application:

  • Enrollment Verification Letter
  • Professional Resume
  • One 500-750 word on essay (questions stated in application)
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation (1 from a CUNY faculty/staff member)

Additional Documents

  1. Students with Disabilities must provide a verification letter from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities stating that they receive services.
  2. International students must have a verification letter from the Center for International Affairs showing proof of F1 visa and possession of a tax I.D number (ITIN or SS).


All applications must be submitted online by the deadline date of Monday, June 10, 2019 no later than 11:59 pm.

CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contest

Application Period: Application submission is closed
Award Amounts: $1000, $300 or $200
Information:

The CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contest is funded by an endowment gift of $100,000 to the City University of New York by Dr. K. York Chynn and his wife Noelle Chynn. This annual award is intended to promote and stimulate thinking by college students at CUNY about the topic of ethics, morality, and virtuous behavior in their lives. More than ever, these issues arise not only in the personal relationships of individuals and family and friends, but also in the context of corporate, government, and social responsibility, whether it is about treating others fairly and honestly, or food safety.

The Asian American / Asian Research Institute will award the top three essays, selected by the Selection Committee, the following prizes:

  • Best Essay ($1,000)
  • First Runner-up ($300)
  • Second Runner-up ($200)

Submission Guidelines
Click here for Submission Form

Fall 2023 Essay Topic: Virtue

Regardless of where one lives, virtues form the moral foundation of one’s life. Throughout history, moral philosophers in all cultures have striven to answer the question of “What characteristics or virtues distinguish the moral man from the immoral one?” In ancient Greek times, the Four Cardinal Virtues were:

  • Prudence/Wisdom
  • Justice
  • Fortitude/Courage
  • Temperance/Self-control

There were additionally Three Theological Virtues:

  • Faith
  • Hope
  • Charity
  • Together, these comprised the Seven Virtues.

At about the same time in ancient China, Confucius formulated what he called the Five Constant Virtues:

  • Ren (Benevolence, Love)
  • Yi (Righteousness)
  • Li (Propriety, Loyalty, Filial Piety, Chastity, Respect)
  • Zhi (Wisdom)
  • Xin (Integrity, Honesty, Fidelity)

In today’s modern society however, virtues have slowly begun to lose their importance, or are often forgotten in the daily hustle of people’s daily lives. For example in China, officials recently enacted a new law to foster filial piety among its citizens by compelling adult children to visit their aging parents. Recognizing the importance of virtues in our lives, will lead to better communication, understanding, and acceptance between us and our fellow man.

For your essay, please select one Virtue from the list above to discuss in detail. In discussing the Virtue you have selected, please incorporate all of the following points in your essay:

  • Tell us about your own experience in practicing the Virtue you have chosen to write about and what personal reward or satisfaction have you gained from it.
  • Why did you think the Virtue that you chose was an important one to practice in your life?
  • What obstacles did you encounter in practicing this particular Virtue and how did you, or do you, still strive to overcome the difficulties?

Note: All winning (3) and honorable mention essays will be posted online for the public to read. If your essay is selected to win a cash prize, it must be posted online or you will forfeit your prize award.

Submission must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant must be a currently enrolled CUNY undergraduate or graduate student. Include a scanned copy of your college ID and current semester program. (Official transcripts are not required.)
  • Cover page containing title of essay, name of student, name of CUNY college, and date.
  • Length: 1,000 to 1,500 words
  • Typed, 12-size Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced.
  • Work citations in MLA format: Reference all materials that are not your own. Exclude dictionary references and single-line quotes. Include at least (3) three verifiable sources, e.g. books, articles and websites.
  • All work must be original material. Attribution and references to quoted materials must be included.
  • Essay submission should be sent online to info@aaari.info by Monday, October 30, 2023, 5:30pm EST. Please send essay in Word format, along with the completed application form, copy of college ID and current semester program from CUNYFirst. In the email subject header, type “2023 CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contest Submission.”

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Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center exterior lit up at nightOpens in a new window
Kupferberg Holocaust Center Opens in a new window

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window
QPAC: Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoonOpens in a new window
QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.