Financial Aid Office

We will update this page periodically as we become aware of new external scholarship opportunities. Questions regarding these scholarships should be directed to the awarding organization.

When conducting any external scholarship search be cautious and do the research before giving out any of your personal information. To find out more information go to the Federal Trade Commission website.

Specific Deadline Dates

AAUW Buffalo Branch Scholarships

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for both women and men, undergraduate and graduate students. 

Deadline: ranges from December-May

SUNY Carey Gabay Scholarship Program

The Carey Gabay Scholarship Program honors the life of Carey Gabay, public servant and attorney, who was killed as innocent victim of gun violence in 2015. The scholarship will award full cost of attendance scholarships to five students who attend a SUNY institution and meet the following requirements:

• Student must be a New York State resident
• Must be an incoming first year student who will enroll full time at a SUNY institution
• Must demonstrate significant financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA application, and submitting a copy of the student Student Aid Report (SAR)
• Must have high school average of 90 or higher
• Must submit essay and two letters or recommendation

Deadline: July 22, 2022

Rolling Deadline Dates Throughout the Year

Chairish “Design Your Future” Scholarship Program

$2500 scholarship

Successful applicants must:

• Have 3.0 or higher GPA
• Be a permanent legal resident residing within the US
• Submit essay

Deadline: January 1st and June 30th

Phi Upsilon Omicron Scholarships 

• Phi Upsilon offers a series of scholarships available to it's members

Deadline: February 1st of each year

American Indian Services Scholarship (AIS)  

• Available to full time undergraduate students
• Must be at least ¼ enrolled member of a federally recognized Native American Tribe
• Min 2.5 GPA

The Point Foundation Scholarship: The National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund  

• A proven track record of leadership and community involvement
• Strong academic achievement
• Working for the betterment of the LGBTQ community
• Financial need

Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Scholarships | Including EXCELSIOR

NYS Scholarships - awarded based on various factors.  Some may require certain conditions be met or have a service component.

Discover Student Loans Scholarship   

• Open to residents of the 50 United States, DC and the US Territories 
• Must at least sixteen (16) years old at the time of entry.
• Applicants do not need to have a student loan or other product with Discover to be eligible.
• Entrants must also be high school senior students who will be or college students who are enrolled at least half-time in a Bachelor's or Associate's degree program or graduate program at an eligible school or parent/legal guardians of students that satisfy the above eligibility requirements.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship 

(if you believe you qualify, please contact the Buffalo State Scholarship Coordinator at scholarship@buffalostate.edu)

• The student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC.
• The student must be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death.
• In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.
• Qualified students will be eligible to receive aid based on a 0 EFC regardless of EFC on FAFSA. Student who already have a 0 EFC will not qualify for additional aid.

The Kosciuszko Foundation 

• Open to graduate and undergraduate students participating in a study abroad program in Poland

Community Foundations

Community foundations exist to manage charitable trusts to distribute funds in the form of grants and scholarships. Because the foundations serve local communities they are one of the best places to start a search for scholarships.

Keep in mind that not all community foundations manage scholarship funds and that many foundations have overlapping "territories." Here are some examples of NY community foundations:

• Allegany County Area Foundation
• Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
• Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo
• Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
• Rochester Area Community Foundation
• The Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley
• The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes
• The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

To locate a community foundation near you go to:

• The Council on Foundations Community Foundation Locator

Databases

• College Board Scholarship Search
• Fast Web
• ScholarshipExperts.com
• Student Awards