Prestigious Scholarships and Grants

External Scholarships

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.)


2024-2025 The UNCF/UPS Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed

Amount: $1,250 to $5,000

Eligibility Critieria: 

  • Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  • Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale
  • Complete a 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
  • Have a demonstrated, unmet financial need as verified by their college or university
  • Be enrolled as a full time, undergraduate student at any accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational school in the 2024-2025 academic year

Application Process:

  • Applicants must submit their application via UNCF’s online scholarship application portal. All parts of the application must be completed and submitted by the deadline.
  • Essay – Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement responding to the following prompt: “How would you use your educational journey and life experiences to create a solution for a major problem in your community, state, or nation to make a lasting impact on society and how would you engage others to help you?”
  • A recent official or unofficial academic transcript

Click Here to Apply

Point Foundation BIPOC Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed

Amount: Up to $1,500

Eligibility Critieria: 

The Point Foundation BIPOC Scholarship aims to mitigate generations of racism and an education system born from discriminatory policies by providing financial support, community resources, and professional development to LGBTQ students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

  • Scholarship recipients must identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ.
  • Must be enrolled or intending to enroll at any accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. Students in college or universities in a United States territory or post-doctoral program are not eligible.
  • Use scholarship funds at an accredited U.S. higher education institution between spring session 2025 and spring 2026.
  • Be enrolled or intend to enroll in one of the following types of programs: an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's or doctoral degree, or a medical, law, or other professional degree.
  • Must be enrolled in one or more credit-bearing classes for the funded term.
  • Must be “out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community.

Click Here to Apply

Young Ambassador Scholarship

Deadline Date: May 15, 2025

Amount: $3,000

Eligibility Critieria:

To apply, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Reside within The Eye-Bank’s service area: New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties).
  2. Be a student no more than 25 years of age who is enrolled, in a 2 or 4-year college, university, trade or technical school for the current academic year at the time of application deadline.
  3.  Complete the online Scholarship Application by May 15, 2025.
  4.  Use the scholarship award for continuing education at an accredited university, college, trade or technical school certificate program.
  5.  Write a short essay, 1-2 typewritten pages, doubled-spaced, describing an educational or public service initiative in which the student participated that promoted eye, organ and tissue donation such as distributing brochures or speaking to a class or club (eye information must be included).
  6.  Applicants may contact The Eye-Bank in advance for project ideas and use the promotional materials provided below.
  7.  Provide two references from current school (high school or college).
  8. Provide a current official transcript.
  9.  Provide an acceptance letter from the college, university or trade/technical school the applicant plans to attend (high school seniors).

Applicants are encouraged to focus on projects utilizing social media outreach to encourage New Yorkers to enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry via smartphone, laptop or computer. Applicants may request a designated URL to track Donate Life Registry enrollments (contact info@ebsr.org). The URL would be active from the date provided until May 15, 2024.


The following pdf promotional tools have also been made available:
Eye-Bank_Information_Piece.pdf
Eye-Bank_Ads.pdf
Link to videos

We look forward to receiving your application.

STEM Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed

Amount: $3,000

Eligibility Critieria:

To apply, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Reside within The Eye-Bank’s service area: New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties).
  2. Be a student who is accepted to, or enrolled in a STEM undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university for the current academic year at the time of application deadline
  3.  Complete the online Stem Scholarship Application by May 15, 2024.
  4.  Use the scholarship award for continuing education at an accredited university, college, trade or technical school certificate program.
  5.  Provide two letters of reference from current school (high school or college)
  6.  Provide either a current official transcript and/or acceptance letter from the college, university or trade/technical school the applicant plans to attend.
  7.  Research and propose a method in which an area within STEM – science, technology, engineering, mathematics—when applied might help to increase the number of eye, organ and/or tissue donations provided so that an increased number of individuals waiting for sight and life-saving transplants might receive them.
  8.  Submit your paper/proposal in 3-4 typewritten pages, doubled-spaced (1,000 words), describing the method identified in item number 7. Include footnotes and bibliography. *
  9.  Application forms together with required documents must be submitted online at www.eyedonation.org/scholarship/stem by May 15, 2024.

Applicants may contact The Eye-Bank in advance for more information or to request a list of resources. Please contact info@ebsr.org or (212) 742-9000.


Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act (DREAM Act)

Application Period: Open

Eligibility Criteria:

The Senator Jose Peralta NYS DREAM Act (DREAM Act) allows undocumented and other eligible students to apply for New York State financial aid. The NYS DREAM Act application is used to determine student eligibility under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act.

Students who meet the NYS DREAM Act's eligibility requirements for high school attendance, high school completion, in-state SUNY or CUNY tuition, and citizenship or immigration status will be able to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs.

Students who qualify under the NYS DREAM Act can separately apply for NYS student financial aid programs. This user guide provides step-by-step instructions on completing the application used to determine whether you qualify to apply for NYS student financial aid under the provisions of the NYS DREAM Act.

The program is administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

The New York State DREAM Act Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the descriptions below to be eligible to apply for one or more NYS student financial aid programs:

  1. Your permanent home is in NYS and you are or have ONE of the following:

    1. U-Visa

    2. T-Visa

    3. Temporary Protected Status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990

    4. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status)

    5. AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:

      1. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma, OR

      2. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma, OR

      3. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma, OR

      4. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma, OR

      5. You are or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for a reason other than residency.

  2. Your permanent home is outside of NYS and you are or have ONE of the following:

    1. U.S. citizen

    2. Permanent lawful resident

    3. Paroled refugee

    4. U-Visa

    5. T-Visa

    6. Temporary Protected Status, pursuant to the Federal Immigration Act of 1990

    7. Without lawful immigration status (including those with DACA status) AND you meet ONE of the following criteria:

      1. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma, OR

      2. You attended a NYS high school for 2 or more years, graduated from a NYS high school, and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school diploma, OR

      3. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and are applying for an award for undergraduate study at a NYS college within 5 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma, OR

      4. You received a NYS high school equivalency diploma and are applying for an award for graduate study at a NYS college within 10 years of receiving your NYS high school equivalency diploma, OR

      5. You are or will be charged the NYS resident in-state tuition rate at a SUNY or CUNY college for a reason other than residency.

To apply and for additional information, please contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Healthcare Workers For Our Future

Application Period: Application submission is closed

Amount:  Covers tuition, room and board and other non-tuition expenses for two years

Eligibility Criteria:

You are eligible to participate in the drawing if you meet the following requirements:

You currently live in New York State at the time of entering the contest and:

  • Matriculate in a degree-granting program in an Approved Field of Study and enroll full-time or part-time in an associate degree program at an approved New York State college or university by fall 2026;
  • Agree to live in New York State and to work in an approved field in a federally-designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in New York State for two years within twelve (12) months of graduation; and
  • Provide all required documentation to your school to determine eligibility for payment of the “Healthcare Workers for Our Future” Scholarship.

-OR-

You currently live in New York State at the time of entering the contest and:

  • Have earned an associate degree in an Approved Field of Study by the end of the spring 2024 semester OR have at least sixty (60) credits in an Approved Field of Study by the end of the spring 2024 semester;
  • Matriculate in a degree-granting program in an Approved Field of Study and enroll full-time or part-time in a bachelor’s degree program at an approved New York State college or university by fall 2026;
  • Agree to live in New York State and to work in an approved field in a federally-designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in NYS for two years within twelve (12) months of graduation; and
  • Provide all required documentation to your school to determine eligibility for payment of the “Healthcare Workers for Our Future” Scholarship.

To Apply

From April 30, 2024, to June 24, 2024, at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT, eligible individuals may enter the “Healthcare Workers for Our Future" Scholarship drawing.

Entries must be completed at https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/healthcare-workers-our-future-scholarship

By successfully transmitting a completed online entry form, each participant will be entered into the drawing.

The program is administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

 

New York State Excelsior Scholarship

Application Period: Application submission is closed
Amount: up to $5,500 annually

Eligibility Criteria:

  • be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
  • have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less;
  • be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college
  • be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program through continuous study with no break in enrollment except for certain reasons that can be documented;
  • if attended college prior to the 2024-25 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship;
  • be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
  • be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received; and
  • execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

Catch-Up Year:

A student who is not on track to complete an Associate’s degree in two consecutive years or Bachelor’s degree in four consecutive years (which requires completion of the equivalent of 30 credits each academic year) can catch up on missing credits to become eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship. If you successfully earn additional credits during a term or academic year and get back on track to completing your degree on time, you will be eligible to receive an Excelsior Scholarship for the remainder of your undergraduate degree program.

Renewal criteria:

  • Complete 30 credits annually;
  • Complete the Excelsior, FAFSA and TAP applications annually‎;
  • Two year maximum award for Associates degree programs and four year maximum award for Bachelors degree programs.

Application and Additional Information:

To complete the Excelsior application and for additional information, contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

New York State Part-time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program

Application Period: Application submission is closed
Amount: up to $1,500 per semester

Eligibility Criteria:

An applicant must:

  • be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
  • be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY community college;
  • be enrolled in at least six but less than 12 credits per term;
  • maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher;
  • be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award; and
  • be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.
  • students with qualified disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act who are registered with their college office for students with disabilities and who satisfy all other eligibility requirements may receive awards if enrolled in at least 3 credits.

To complete the application and for additional information, contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

Recipients will be selected by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) and prioritized based on financial need. Financial need is established in the year the award is first granted, and is determined by the applicant's federal Expected Family Contribution as reflected on the applicant's federal student aid report. A lower Expected Family Contribution demonstrates evidence of greater financial need. Note: Awards are subject to available funding from New York State.

Once you have been selected to receive an award, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application each year to receive future payments.

Awards will be paid directly to the college on behalf of the PTS Award Program recipient upon certification by the college that the student was enrolled in at least six credits and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

To complete the part-time scholarship program application and for additional information, contact the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation .

Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students. Point's multifaceted support of its scholarship recipients (“scholars”) extends far beyond direct financial contribution toward the cost of their education. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development programs and events.

To be selected for the scholarship, students are evaluated on academic performance and potential, financial need, their involvement in school and community, and goals for the future. This selective program aims to support LGBTQ leaders in their growth as student activists so that they can continue to inspire change in their communities both before and after transferring.

Applicant Submission Deadlines

Thursday, November 21: Point Community College Scholarship Application opens.

Thursday, February 20: Point Community College Scholarship Application closes at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m EST.

Scholarship details:

  • Amount: Financial award based on need, renewable for up to four years of support.

    Funding Period: Awarded Scholars will start their scholarship in the fall of 2025, with a maximum of four years of support.

Who is Eligible to Apply to the Point Community College Program?

Point Foundation requires the following for applications to be considered:

  • Must be enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university based in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska.
  • Use scholarship funds at an accredited U.S. higher education institution between fall session 2024 and spring 2025.
  • Be enrolled or intend to enroll in one of the following types of programs: a bachelor's degree, a master's or doctoral degree, or a medical, law, or other professional degree.
  • Must be “out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community.
  • Community college students must be transferring to a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year college or university for the academic year of the scholarship. Students who will be enrolled at a 2-year institution for the academic year of the scholarship should apply to the Community College Scholarship.
  • Must be at least a senior in high school.

We consider many factors when evaluating scholarship applicants, including:

  • Financial need or independence
  • Personal history
  • Academic achievement
  • Community involvement and work experience

All questions and concerns regarding the Point Foundation Community College Scholarship can be addressed to applications@pointfoundation.org.

Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity

Deadline Date: May 15, 2025
Award Amounts: $4,000-$20,000

Information: 

The Milton Fisher Scholarship is not a traditional scholarship focused on rewarding academic achievement and financial need. Its specific goal is to reward and encourage innovative and creative problem-solving by honoring students who excel as creative problem-solvers and helping make their higher education goals more accessible.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants to the Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity must satisfy these two conditions:

1. Applicant must a high school senior or a student in the first year of an undergraduate degree program.

2. Applicant must be (a) a Connecticut or New York City metropolitan area resident planning to attend or attending an institution of higher education anywhere in the United States, or (b) a resident of any part of the U.S. planning to attend or attending an institution of higher education in CT or NYC


Awards

We anticipate granting 5-8 awards of up to $20,000 each to applicants who demonstrate exceptional innovation and creativity. Financial need will not affect the selection of recipients. However, the amount of any award, from $1,000 to $5,000 per year, renewable for four years, will be determined by the financial need of the recipient.

Learn more about the Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity

New York State Transfer and Articulation Association Scholarship

Deadline Date: March 25, 2025
Award Amount: Up to $6,000

For 2024, NYSTAA will award up to $6,000 in scholarships for transfer students.

Criteria:

  • Are currently enrolled at an active NYSTAA two-year member college and will complete an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Applied Science by August 2024
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5
  • Apply and plan on attending a current four-year NYSTAA member institution in fall 2024

Application Materials:

  • Online scholarship application, including;
    •  essay
    • uploaded unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended and courses in progress
  • One letter of recommendation from a college administrator or faculty member, emailed as a Word or .pdf attachment, to NYSTAAScholarshipCommittee@gmail.com.

Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $2,000

The Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York is offering two (2) scholarships to students from NYC community colleges who are graduating at the conclusion of Spring 2019 and will be transferring to a four-year institution to continue their studies for a baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts and sciences for Fall 2019. This year, they will be offering two (2) scholarships, each worth $2000.

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest college academic honor society in the liberal arts and sciences, recognizes excellence in both of these disciplines. The Phi Beta Kappa Association of New York (PBKNY) offers the scholarships to students who not only show academic achievement and promise, but who also, in their work and goals, show an identification with the values associate with Society – love of learning, freedom of inquiry, commitment to liberty of thought and expression, interest in creative endeavor and believe in scientific inquiry.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be graduating from QCC at the conclusion of Spring 2019 (Fall 2018 and Summer 2019 graduates are not eligible)
  • Transfer and be accepted into to a four-year institution for Fall 2019
  • Enroll in a Liberal Arts-related program of study, excluding Technical or Para-Professional programs, for Fall 2019
  • Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Students who meet the above criteria must submit the following documents:

  • Official College Transcript
  • 250-500 word essay explaining their academic and/or professional goals. Students may want to talk about their background and interests as these relate to those goals. As an organization focused on Liberal Arts and Sciences, PBKNY excludes applicants who are enrolling in college for purely technical studies. They have considered or given awards (for example) to applicants in engineering, nursing, teaching, and social work as well as other fields where applicants have demonstrated via their essays, coursework, or recommendations some breadth of interests, study, or skill consonant with PBKNY's espoused values. At the top of your essay, please include your full name, home address, e-mail address, and telephone number.
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation. At least 1 must be from a faculty member at the College. A second could be from someone at the college or elsewhere. Especially, if the second recommendation is from a nonacademic, it should clearly speak to the candidates' intellectual as well as personal abilities or qualities. Both letters mustbe on letterhead and addressed to the "PBKNY Scholarship Committee".
  • Letter of acceptance from a four-year institution, excluding technical or para-professional programs.

If selected as the recipient, the student(s) must submit proof of enrollment at a four-year institution.

Students who are a part of honor societies such as Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Beta Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, etc. are eligible to apply for the scholarship as there is no conflict of interest!

Completed scholarships packets must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Library Building in Room 412, by Friday, May 10, 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Reynald Pierre-Charles via e-mail at Rpierrecharles@qcc.cuny.edu.

The Dream.US Scholarship Program

Application Period: February 28, 2025
Award amount: Up to $33,000

The Dream.US Scholarship Program provides college scholarships to highly motivated students who entered the United States as minors under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protect Status (TPS), and who, without financial assistance, cannot afford a college education. All funding is provided by private donations to The Dream.US organization.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • You are or are about to be a high school graduate; OR
  • You have or are about to earn a GED; OR
  • You have been or are currently enrolled in a community college or university.

You are eligible to apply if you:

  1. Are undocumented and came to the United States before November 1, 2019, and have continuously lived in the United States since then or have DACA or TPS;
  2. Came to the United States before the age of 16 (if you were born in the U.S. – you are not eligible for our scholarship);
  3. Have significant unmet financial need;
  4. Have graduated or will graduate from a United States high school (or have earned or will earn a high school equivalency diploma) before the Fall of 2025;
  5. Graduated or will graduate with a high school GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale or have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or better;
  6. Intend to enroll full-time in an associate or bachelor’s degree program at a Partner College in your state in the Fall of 2025 or Spring of 2026; and
  7. Are eligible for in-state tuition at the Partner College you want to attend (not applicable if it is a private Partner College in your state).

 

For additional information and to apply for the The Dream.US Scholarship Program visit their website or email: TheDream.US@scholarshipamaerica.org or call 1-507-931-1682 and ask for TheDream.US Scholarship Program.

Women's Forum Education Award

Deadline Date: February 1, 2025
Award Amount: $10,000
Information:

The award recognizes extraordinary women and often heroic effort in overcoming adversity as they restructure their lives for success. Unlike financial aid or scholarships, the $10,000 award goes directly to the recipient for whatever needs loom largest for her, whether tuition, childcare, medical bills, elder care, transportation, housing, or any other priority. Applicants and their references should share the narrative of obstacles confronted and overcome, and any demonstrations of leadership and care for their community. Awards have been granted to over 355 women, amounting to over $2.8 million in assistance. Previous recipients have gone on to obtain master's degrees and Ph.D.'s and become leaders throughout the city.

  • be at least 25 years old by December 31, 2024 
  • attend college at a two or four-year institution in New York City
  • reside in New York City
  • be pursuing her FIRST Associate or Bachelor's degree and have earned at least 12 credits in good standing
  • have attended a college in New York City during the 2024 academic year and be enrolled for at least 6 credits in the 2025 academic year
  • have at least 9 credits to complete graduation requirements AFTER June 2025
  • If completing an Associate degree in June 2025, must then provide evidence of admission to a Bachelor's degree program
  • complete an additional semester of 6 or more credits within twelve months of receiving the Award (at an NYC college/university), i.e., by June 2026

Apply Now

Online Application

Applicants will create an account on the AwardForce site and must complete all required sections on or before the application deadline, through the online portal. Additional guidance included on Eligibility & Instructions document available in link above.

Letters of Reference

Only one reference letter is required and must be written by a faculty member or administrator at your college familiar with your academic work and ideally, your family history, academic history, and career goals. Another letter from a non-academic source can be submitted optionally.

Transcript

Student transcripts will be uploaded with the application. If selected, applicants may be required to provide an official copy of their transcript before the award payment is distributed.

  • Awards are given in two installments: $5,000 upon notification of Award by June 30, 2025 and $5,000 in January 2026 or upon successful completion of an additional semester of 6 or more credits before June 2027.
  • Recipients will be required to submit an official transcript for their additional semester of 6 or more credits before the second installment is awarded.
  • The Women’s Forum will issue a Form 1099 to all Awardees in January 2026, for calendar year 2025, and again in January 2027, for calendar year 2026.

Important Information

  • Awards are given in two installments: $5,000 upon notification of Award by June 30, 2025 and $5,000 in January 2026 or upon successful completion of an additional semester of 6 or more credits before June 2027.
  • Recipients will be required to submit an official transcript for their additional semester of 6 or more credits before the second installment is awarded.
  • The Women’s Forum will issue a Form 1099 to all Awardees in January 2026, for calendar year 2025, and again in January 2027, for calendar year 2026.

Learn more about the Women's Forum Education Award

Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Deadline Date: January 9, 2025

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship makes it possible for the nation’s top community college students to complete their bachelor’s degrees by transferring to a selective four-year college or university.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive. This highly competitive scholarship includes:

  • The opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution.
  • Ability to pursue any area of study.
  • Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
  • Multifaceted advising about how to transition to a four-year college and maximize the student experience.
  • Opportunity to apply for the Internship Stipend program, Conference and Travel Stipend, and Graduate Scholarship.

 

Learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

SMART Scholarship (Science, Math and Research for Transformation)

Deadline Date: December 6, 2024

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.

Eligibility:

  • Be a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom
  • Be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2026
  • Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Be currently pursuing, or intend to pursue in fall 2025, a degree in a SMART STEM discipline
  • Be requesting between 1-5 years of degree funding. Degree funding will start in August 2025
  • Complete summer internships
  • Accept a one-for-one post graduation service commitment as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense

 

Learn more about the SMART Scholarship (Science, Math and Research for Transformation)

American Chemical Society Scholars Program

Deadline Date: March 1, 2025
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Information:

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships of up to $5,000 to underrepresented minority students who want to enter the fields of chemistry or chemistry-related fields, such as environmental science, toxicology and chemical technology. High school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors are eligible to apply.

The ACS Scholars Program was established in 1994 to attract African American, Hispanic and American Indian students considered underrepresented in the chemical sciences by the National Science Foundation to pursue careers in the field.

The program also aims to help build awareness of the value and rewards associated with careers in chemistry and assist students in acquiring skills and credentials needed for success.

Learn more about the American Chemical Society Scholars Program

The Fry Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: Tuition & fees up to the highest amounts charged to public, in-state students at undergraduate institutions in each state. Monthly housing allowance and stipend for books & supplies.Recipients are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.
Information:

  • Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 who are attending institutions of higher learning or were attending from August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
  • For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website

Learn more about the The Fry Scholarship

Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $5,000
Information:

All students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution of higher education

Learn more about the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship

Finch College Alumni Association Foundation Education Grant

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $5,000
Information:

A one-time $5000 Grant to be used by a Community College student entering undergraduate study at any accredited four-year college in The United States. Grant may be used for tuition, fees, books, and/or equipment required for course instruction. This award may not be used for graduate study.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a second year female student
  • Must be age 22 or above
  • Must be currently enrolled in a Community College in the state of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Graduate from a Community College at the conclusion of Spring 2024 and transfer to a four-year college starting Fall 2024.

Students who meet the above-mentioned criteria must submit the following documents:

  • Submit a convincing narrative in less than 1000 words stating why you should receive The Freya Moskowitz Stern or The Finch College Alumni Scholarship. This is the most important aspect of the application. Emphasize qualifications, academic achievements, turning points in your life, leadership and how courses taken will support your life goals. Include your full name in the heading.
  • Submit a current resume of study and work experience.
  • Enclose a print out of your college transcript(s).
  • Submit two PDF letters of recommendation from faculty members attesting to the applicant's work experience and academic achievements. List names and email address on application. Letters must be on community college letterhead and signed by the professor.
  • Submit proof of age 22 or over (copy of driver's license, birth certificate or official document)
  • Proof of United States Citizenship or a Permanent United States Green Card.

There are no restrictions or limitations based upon race, ethnicity or the employment status of the prospective recipient. The grant is based upon merit, courses, and goals.

Completed application materials must be received before May 1, 2024 and submitted as e-mail attachments (PDF files only) to SCHOLARSHPIS@FINCHCOLLEGE.ORG.

If you have any questions, please submit them via e-mail to info@finchcollege.org.

Learn more about the Finch College Alumni Association Foundation Education Grant

Kaplan Leadership Associate’s Degree Scholarship

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed

Established in 2006, The Kaplan Leadership Associate's Degree Scholarship offers financial and academic support, including individualized academic advising, transfer counseling, college tours, mentoring opportunities, leadership training and development etc. to high potential associate degree students with unmet financial need who are also members of underrepresented populations in higher education. Scholarships for associate's degree candidates can be up to $3,000.00 and for bachelor degree candidates are up to $10,000.00 per year.

Two letters of reference are required, one of which must be from a college professor or high school teacher who has taught the student in the last two years. There is also an optional nomination form that must be completed by a member of the faculty, staff or administration at the student's current college.

Contact Ms. Renee Rhodd, Director of Educational Partnerships, in Library Building Room 434 at 718-631-6027 or RRhodd@qcc.cuny.edu for further information.

Learn more about the Kaplan Leadership Associate's Degree Scholarship

SUNY College at Old Westbury Honors College

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $750 per year
Information:

Transfer students will be considered for the program with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher.

Honors College benefits include:

  • $750 book scholarship
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Priority registration to insure you get the courses you need
  • A state-of-the-art Study Center for the exclusive use of Honors College students
  • Opportunities to engage in research attend and present at professional conferences and co-author in professional journal by working with faculty.
  • Professional major-related internships
  • Study abroad opportunities
  • Luncheons, seminars, trips and activities that will broaden your academic and personal horizons

Application Requirements:

  • Unofficial copies of college transcript
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member or advisor
  • A sample of your best academic writing from a previous course
  • Complete an interview with the Director of the Honors College

Learn more about the SUNY College at Old Westbury Honors College

Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund

Deadline Date: Open
Award Amount: $5,000
Information:

The Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1979 by the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, the instructional staff union of The City University of New York. The scholarship honors the founding president of the PSC, Belle Zeller, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Brooklyn College, where she taught for more than 40 years. This scholarship is intended to honor the unique qualities of Belle Zeller: the combination of social commitment and scholarship and is based on merit, not financial need. The Fund is an independent not-for-profit organization.

    1. The Board of Trustees of the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund (Trustees) will review all applications and select those candidates to be interviewed.
    2. Applicants must be full-time CUNY undergraduate students and must have completed at least thirty (30) credits at a CUNY college with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.
    3. Awards are for one year in the amount of $5,000. Awards will be paid in two installments of $2,500, provided the student is still full-time in CUNY, has not exceeded 120 credits, and continues to meet the academic and service requirements.
    4. Recipients must continue to maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and continue to provide evidence of community service during both semesters they are receiving the scholarship.
    5. The Trustees shall be the sole judge of whether a recipient continues to meet these requirements.
    6. Scholarship recipients may not defer the award. All awards must be used in the Fall of the academic year for which they are awarded.
    7. Scholarship recipients may not reapply for the scholarship in the future.
    8. Applicants at LaGuardia Community College must meet the LaGuardia definition of full-time student.
    9. Applicants must show evidence of significant voluntary service to CUNY, the community, and/or their respective colleges by a letter of recommendation.
    10. If an applicant has earned 35 or more credits within the past 5 years from another institution (including other units of CUNY), an unofficial transcript from each of those institutions must be provided.
    11. All candidates selected for interviews by a panel of the Trustees must be available for an interview when requested.
    12. All applicants will receive an auto-response confirming submission of their application.
    13. The receipt of your application does not constitute an assurance of its acceptance; rather, it serves as confirmation of our receipt of your submission. It is incumbent upon you to ensure that your application is meticulously completed, including all requisite documentation. Please note that you will not receive notifications in the event of incompleteness or missing information.
    14. All successful scholarship recipients will be notified by e-mail.
    15. Decisions of the Board of Trustees will be final.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Two letters of recommendation must be submitted:

    1. One letter must be from someone in a leadership or supervisory role who can personally attest to and evaluate your volunteer social commitment to the college, the university, and/or the larger community and who has personal knowledge of your volunteer community service activities.
    2. One letter must be written by an instructor that you, the applicant, have had in a CUNY college-level course in the current or previous academic year. This letter must address the applicant’s academic performance.
    3. Applicants are advised to request letters from recommenders a minimum of six weeks in advance of the application deadline to provide enough time to submit the required letters.
    4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the email address for submission of letters of recommendation and inform the recommenders to use your full name (last name first) as the subject. (Re: Smith, John)
    5. Letters of recommendation must be provided using an official letterhead which includes contact information. Letters must be signed and emailed as pdf attachments to recommend@bellezeller.org.
    6. Letters that are provided in the body of an email, or in Microsoft Word, or JPEG, or submitted as scanned and hard copies will not be accepted.
    7. All letters must include the recommender’s daytime contact information – phone number and email address.
    8. Letters will not be accepted if submitted by the applicant.

STATEMENT DESCRIBING YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Applicant’s Statement: In a MAXIMUM OF 600 WORDS, you must write a personal statement discussing your life experiences as they relate to your goals and social commitment. Please be sure to include evidence of your most significant, recent volunteer community service (within the past two years) and comment on your recent academic work.

Personal statements must have the first and last name of the applicant on the top of each page.

Personal statements must be submitted using a PDF format and may not exceed 600 words. Word documents will not be accepted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  1. All applicants are entitled to equal consideration under the terms of equal opportunity/affirmative action provisions in accordance with Internal Revenue Service stipulations.
  2. Belle Zeller Scholars may be required to authorize the release of their college records to show proof of continuing full-time status.
  3. Belle Zeller Scholars who do not abide by the terms of the stated conditions will forfeit the remainder of their scholarship.

Learn more about the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund

The New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship Award

Deadline Date: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $2,000
Information:

The mission of the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, (NYCHCC), is to represent and advocate for Hispanic businesses in New York City in a cohesive manner which will assist new entrepreneurs, vitalize existing businesses and assure the growth and success of Hispanic businesses. The NYCHCC is also committed to helping Hispanic students succeed academically and to effectively achieve their professional goal. To this end, the NYCHCC will provide Scholarship Awards to those Hispanic students that meet the following criteria.

  • Candidate must be a United States citizen, of Hispanic descent, who is matriculated in the City University of New York. The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be in good standing.

Learn more about the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Scholarship Award

American Physical Society Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors

Deadline: Application submission is closed
Award Amount: $2,000 - $3,000
Information:

The APS Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors consists of a $2,000.00 award per year for new recipients and $3,000.00 per year for renewal recipients to be used for tuition, room and board, and educational materials.

The goal of this scholarship is to increase the number of under-represented minorities obtaining degrees in physics. It provides funding and mentoring to minority physics students to enhance their educational potential and help prepare them for success in various careers.

Eligible applicants must be African-American, Hispanic American, or Native American. They must also be either high school seniors, college freshmen or sophomores. U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is not required. Applicants must be physics majors or students intending to major in physics.

Learn more about the American Physical Society Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors

NSEP/Boren Undergraduate Scholarship

Deadline Date: January 29, 2025
Award Amount: $8,000 - $25,000
Information:

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) was established by the National Security Education Act of 1991, which created the National Security Education Board, the National Security Education Program, and resources to provide undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and institutional grants. It is guided by a mission that seeks to lead in development of the national capacity to educate U.S. citizens, understand foreign cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security.

Program policies and direction are provided by the 14-member National Security Education Board. Congress has mandated that the Board be comprised of eight senior federal government officials and six individual citizens appointed by the President of the United States. The Board determines critical areas the program should address and recommends criteria for the awards.

All applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline
  • A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
  • At least 18 years of age or older at the time of the national application deadline
  • Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
  • Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen
  • Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
  • (For ROTC cadets and midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard) In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program

In addition to these basic eligibility criteria, the Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country, and the applicant’s field of study.

NSEP/Boren Scholarship 

Searches

There are a number of websites that offer you free scholarship searches. We are happy to provide you with the list below. However, please note that these scholarship searches are independent and in no way endorsed by Queensborough Community College.

Fast Web Scholarship Search
The FastWeb Scholarship Search is the largest, most accurate and most popular free scholarship search site, with more than 30 million registered users. It is also the most frequently updated and provides automatic email notification of new scholarships that match the student's profile. The FastWeb Scholarship Search was the first scholarship database available for free on the web and is the most innovative and student-focused of all the scholarship search sites.

College Board Scholarship Search
The College Board's FUND FINDER scholarship database lists scholarships and other types of financial aid programs from 3,300 national, state, public and private sources. The database is updated annually.

The Sallie Mae Fund
Students can now apply for more than $2 million in scholarships, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae.

Hispanic College Fund
Students currently enrolled in higher learning institutions such as colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools can enter for a chance to win one of the scholarships. The award amounts vary and can be applied toward educational expenses.

United Negro College Fund Scholarships
Scholarships and faculty development grants administered by the UNCF are intended to facilitate access to UNCF member institutions and to strengthen the quality of education that these colleges and universities offer. You can use this site to search through hundreds of scholarship and grant programs administered by the United Negro College Fund.

Hispanic Association Colleges & Universities Scholarship Program
(HACU) Over 160 scholarships worth $270,000

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.