Scholarships
Also, you may search for scholarships on your own via the internet. Feel free to search for scholarships (and colleges, careers, test prep, etc) using the Penn Yan Academy School Counselors career/college search program at: www.choices360.com. Access this from home by using this activation code: NY01415 to create your account.
Below are some other web-sites that are popular for individualized computer based national scholarship searches:
FLCC Foundation Scholarships [Ongoing]
FLCC Foundation Scholarships: Applications are now open for FLCC Foundation scholarships, which are funded by local families, businesses and organizations. The Foundation manages more than 100 scholarship funds. To apply, students must be accepted to FLCC and have a College account. Full details are on their website at: Scholarships - FLCC Foundation | Finger Lakes Community College
Elks Scholarships
- Eligibility – Penn Yan Academy High School Senior
- How to Apply – Applications at Lodge, Penn Yan Academy Guidance Office
- When to Apply – December 1, 2022 to February 1,2023
- Awards – $100 to $1,000
- Judging criteria – leadership, community service & integrity
- Eligibility – No age limit, Yates County Resident, PY Elk Lodge affiliation considered
- How to Apply- Applications available at area High Schools and PY Elks Lodge
- When to Apply- December 1 ,2022 closes February 1, 2023
- Awards – $500- $5,000 annually
- Judging criteria- leadership, community service & integrity
- Emergency Educational Grants provide undergraduate college financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks in the form of renewable, one-year grants of up to $5,000
- Legacy Awards are $4,000 scholarships available to children and grandchildren of Elks members.
Senior Scholarships #2
- Feel free to visit their website at http://www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm to read about and to apply for the scholarship. Their website was developed solely for the purpose of helping students locate and apply for scholarships. The site is free and charges nothing for the information or the application. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
- Eligibility requirements: Top 25% of class with at least an 85 average. Requires 3 letters of reference. Prefer strong athletic or strong community service contributions.
- Preference given for students attending Keuka College or Saint Leo University.
- Applications at www.communityfund.org/students. Go to “What We Do” > click the “Scholarships for Students” > click “Student Scholarships" > click “Available Scholarships” and the third one down is the Art & Bev Kirk Scholarship. Per instructions, complete the “Eligibility Quiz” which will direct you to the application for this scholarship.
- Contact Katie McConville with any questions at [email protected] or 607-739-3900.
- Deadline: February 17, 2023
Senior Scholarships #3
James H. Rice Memorial Scholarship: The Free & Accepted Masons of New York are offering several $1,000.00 memorial scholarships in the name of James H. Rice. Applicants need not have a Masonic connection. Criteria: Student is a current graduating senior from one of the 15 high schools in Yates, Ontario, and Seneca counties, student plans to enroll in a 2 or 4 year post-secondary institution of higher education, student possesses a minimum high school GPA of 87, copy of transcript is required, completed application required, and provide 2 letters of reference. Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer. Applications must be mailed to: Thomas C. Abraham, P.O. Box 32, Bellona, NY 14415. Deadline: March 31.
Yates County Retired Educators Association Scholarship: Offer a $1000 scholarship to a PYA graduating senior who will be pursuing a college degree for the purpose of studying to become an educator. Criteria: Student must have a minimum 87 cumulative GPA, copy of transcript is required, completed application is required, and provide 2 letters of reference. Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer. Applications must be mailed to: Thomas C. Abraham, P.O. Box 32, Bellona, NY 14415. Deadline: March 31.
Senior Scholarships #4
2023 New York Schools Insurance Foundation Student Scholarships
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Each of the below offer multiple scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. For information on all 3 scholarships and for their applications, click the link below.
https://www.nysir.org/page/2023-scholarship-applicationThe Bambino Scholarship is available to a special education student who is college bound. The goal of this scholarship is to reward a student who has worked through his or her special challenges to complete high school and gain acceptance into a college or university. The scholarship is in memory of Cristin Ann Bambino, daughter of NYSIR’s Director of Risk Management, Robert Bambino. Cristin was a special education student who persevered through many obstacles and earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Paralegal Certificate before her untimely passing. Applicants for this scholarship must complete an essay, not to exceed 650 words that must answer the following questions: ✓ What are the student’s accomplishments (clubs, athletics, volunteer activities, and academic achievements)? ✓ Give examples of how the student overcame his or her challenges. ✓ How can the student serve as a role model for other young people with special challenges? ✓ What will the student study in college?
The Goncalves Scholarship is available to a student who demonstrates an involvement and work for a cause or organization that promotes social justice, equal opportunity, relief of human suffering or other aspiration generally understood to be within the meaning of humanitarian activity throughout their high school career. Diversity is encouraged. This scholarship is in honor of NYSIR’s former Executive Director, Joseph Goncalves. Applicants for this scholarship must complete an essay, not to exceed 650 words, that explains: ✓ His or her experience serving others during their high school careers ✓ How that service has benefited others ✓ What that experience has personally meant to the applicant ✓ The essay also may include mention of inspirational role models.
The Jensen Scholarship is available to a student who has excelled in design in his or her high school career. The goal of this scholarship is to reward a student who has shown interest and promise in design and who wishes to pursue this path in college. The scholarship is in memory of Paul Jensen, a marketing representative for NYSIR. Paul was a great craftsman, able to evaluate the best functional attributes of multiple designs and then conceptualize his own creative version. For example, he created canoe designs then converted them to sailing canoes, and then adapted a commercial roof rack to transport the canoes. Applicants for this scholarship must complete an essay, not to exceed 650 words, that explains: ✓ A way they would design, or adapt an existing design, for a specific purpose; ✓ How this design or adaptation could be accomplished; ✓ Why this design, or adaptation, would be unique. Schematics or drawings are not required but may be attached to the essay to help explain the design or adaptation. As a condition of the receipt of any scholarship above, consent must be given to NYSIR for the use of the scholarship winner’s name, photograph and a story about the scholarship winner in NYSIR advertisements.
Submission Guidelines
- All submissions and supporting documents required must be emailed to Krystel Allen.
- Submission due date is Friday, March 17, 2023. Application must be received on or before this date.
- EMAIL IS THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR SUBMISSIONS. If a student is unable to email the application they must call Krystel Allen at 516-393-2320.
- All supporting documents must be legible and able to read/view clearly.
- Feel free to contact Krystel Allen at 516-393-2320 if you have any questions
The NYS Excelsior Scholarship
The NYS Excelsior Scholarship: in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students. For the 2022-23 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2020 are eligible to apply. The Excelsior Scholarship application for Fall 2023 will open next spring.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - The Excelsior Scholarship
Eligibility
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 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, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;
- 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 2022-23 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.
Click here if you do not meet the above eligibility requirements.
Award Amount*
The Excelsior Scholarship covers any remaining gap in tuition expenses, after other federal and state grants and scholarships are applied, up to $5,500.
To determine the award amount, the tuition rate* charged is first reduced by the total dollar amount awarded from other student financial aid awards for the academic year, including a NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award and/or federal Pell grant. The Excelsior Scholarship covers any remaining tuition expenses up to $5,500. In instances where tuition expenses exceed the total financial aid a recipient is awarded, a tuition credit will be applied to the remaining balance.
*Tuition rates are based on 2022-23 resident tuition rate charged by SUNY ($7,070) or CUNY ($6,930)
**Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Catching Up on Credits
An applicant 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 to apply 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 must reapply to be eligible to receive an Excelsior Scholarship for the remainder of your undergraduate degree program.
Opportunity Programs
If you are in an opportunity program, the Excelsior Scholarship program allows five years to complete your degree on time (which requires completion of the equivalent of 24 credits each academic year).
Five-Year Undergraduate Programs
If you are in an undergraduate program of study normally requiring five-years, the Excelsior Scholarship program allows five years to complete your degree on time (which requires completion of the equivalent of 30 credits each academic year).
Students with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
To be eligible for an Excelsior Scholarship, students with qualified disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act who attend less than full time must register with their college office for students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Excelsior Scholarship program requires that you be continuously enrolled and complete the number of credits you attempted each semester to fulfill the requirement for on-time degree completion. If you have not earned credits for all courses attempted, you can catch up on missing credits if you successfully earn additional credits during a Summer and/or Winter session(s) and get back on track for credits that were not previously completed.
For more information, visit NYS Student Financial Aid Programs and Students with Disabilities.
Eligibility Review
Students whose current income or prior year adjusted gross income is $125,000 or below due to the disability, divorce or separation of a parent, spouse or the student or the death of a parent or spouse may request a review of their eligibility by completing the Income Eligibility Determination Form and uploading to https://www.hesc.ny.gov/ExcelsiorDetermination.
Recipients who do not meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements due to one of the conditions indicated below may be able to retain their Excelsior Scholarship awards. If you meet any of the following conditions, please reach out to your school to have your eligibility reviewed. Please note that documentation will be required. Your school will notify HESC if it is determined that you are eligible to receive your award.
You may be eligible to retain your award under the following conditions:
- You experience a death of an immediate family member
- You are called to active military duty
- You interrupt your studies to take care of your new-born child (parental leave)
- Your medical or health care provider determines that your medical condition or mental health prevents you from beginning or continuing the term or from continuing a full-time course load.
- You interrupt your studies to care for an immediate family member, whose medical or heath care provider has determined to need additional support or care, which impacts your ability to begin or continue the term or from continuing a full-time course load.
Please be aware that other circumstances other than those indicated above may not allow you to retain your award under State laws and regulations.
Duration
A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship is eligible to receive award payments for not more than two years of full-time undergraduate study in a program leading to an associate's degree or four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years if the program of study normally requires five years, in a program leading to a bachelor's degree.
Payment
Recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application every year in order to receive award payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
View commonly asked questions pertaining to the Excelsior Scholarship.
Questions?
Please contact the Scholarship Unit at [email protected].
The NYS Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) program
The NYS Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA) program: Provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a participating private college located in New York State. Recipients will receive $6,000 through a combination of their TAP award, ETA award and a match from their private college. The Enhanced Tuition Awards application for Fall 2023 will open next spring.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - Enhanced Tuition Awards
Eligibility
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 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 participating private college or universitylocated in New York State;
- be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year 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 2022-23 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Enhanced Tuition Award;
- 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(s) 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.
Click here if you do not meet the above eligibility requirements.
Catching Up on Credits
An applicant 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 Enhanced Tuition Award. 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 Enhanced Tuition Award for the remainder of your undergraduate degree program.
Opportunity Programs
If you are in an opportunity program, the ETA program allows five years to complete your degree on time (which requires completion of the equivalent of 24 credits each academic year).
Five-Year Undergraduate Program
If you are in an undergraduate program of study normally requiring five-years, the ETA program allows five years to complete your degree on time (which requires completion of the equivalent of 30 credits each academic year).
Students with Disabilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
To be eligible for an Enhanced Tuition Award, students with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act who attend less than full time must register with their college office for students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ETA program requires that you be continuously enrolled and complete the number of credits you attempted each semester to fulfill the requirement for on-time degree completion. If you have not earned credits for all courses attempted, you can catch up on missing credits if you successfully earn additional credits during a Summer and/or Winter session(s) and get back on track for credits that were not previously completed.
Students with disabilities determined to be ineligible who can demonstrate good cause for completing fewer credits than attempted and/or a break in attendance may appeal the decision by completing the Enhanced Tuition Awards Program Appeal Form and uploading the https://www.hesc.ny.gov/EnhancedAppeals.
Eligibility Review
Students who are denied for income and have current income or prior year adjusted gross income of $125,000 or below due to the disability, divorce or separation of a parent, spouse or the student or the death of a parent or spouse may request a review of their eligibility by completing the Income Appeal Form and uploading to https://www.hesc.ny.gov/EnhancedIncomeAppeals.
Recipients who do not meet the annual credit or continuous enrollment requirements due to one of the conditions indicated below may be able to retain their Enhanced Tuition Awards. If you meet any of the following conditions, please reach out to your school to have your eligibility reviewed. Please note that documentation will be required. Your school will notify HESC if it is determined that you are eligible to receive your award.
You may be eligible to retain your award under the following conditions:
- You experience a death of an immediate family member
- You are called to active military duty
- You interrupt your studies to take care of your newborn child (parental leave)
- Your medical or health care provider determines that your medical condition or mental health prevents you from beginning or continuing the term or from continuing a full-time course load.
- You interrupt your studies to care for an immediate family member, whose medical or heath care provider has determined to need additional support or care, which impacts your ability to begin or continue the term or from continuing a full-time course load.
Please be aware that other circumstances other than those indicated above may not allow you to retain your award under State laws and regulations.
Award Amount*
Recipients of Enhanced Tuition Awards will generally receive $6,000 through a combination of their TAP award, ETA award and a match from their private college. The number of awards to be made under this Program is subject to available funding.
*Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Duration
A recipient of an Enhanced Tuition Award is eligible to receive award payments for not more than two years of full-time undergraduate study in a program leading to an Associate’s degree or four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years if the program of study normally requires five years, in a program leading to a Bachelor’s degree.
Payment
To receive payments after the initial application year, an Enhanced Tuition Awards recipient must annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
View commonly asked questions pertaining to the Enhanced Tuition Awards program.
Questions?
Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at [email protected].
The NYS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Incentive Program
The NYS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Incentive Program: Provides tuition awards (the standard tuition rate is a maximum of $7,070 per year) to students who are New York State residents attending a public degree-granting college or university located in New York State. Recipients must be in the top 10 percent of students of their high school graduating class, pursue an approved, two or four-year STEM degree program and agree to live in NYS and work in a STEM field in NYS for five years after graduation.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program
Eligibility
An applicant must:
- be a NYS resident and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the fall college term;
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
- be a high school senior/recent high school graduate who will be enrolled full time at a public college located in NYS, beginning in the fall term following his or her high school graduation;
- be ranked in the top 10 percent of his/her high school graduating class at a NYS high school;
- be matriculated in an approved undergraduate program leading to a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics at a public college located in NYS;
- maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher;
- execute a Service Contract agreeing to reside and work in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics in NYS for five years. View the terms and conditions of the service contract.
Students matriculated in these programs of study may be eligible for a STEM Incentive Program award. The program of study must result in an approved occupation.
Award Amount
A recipient receives an annual award for full-time study up to the annual tuition charged to NYS resident students attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York (SUNY), or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. For the 2022-23 academic year, the standard tuition rate is a maximum of $7,070 per year.
The STEM Incentive Program award will be reduced by the amount of any other tuition-only assistance award, such as the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), received.
Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Duration
A recipient is entitled to annual award payments for not more than four academic years of full-time undergraduate study while matriculated in an approved program leading to a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or five years if the program of study requires five years.
How to Apply
Complete and submit the NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program Application. Be sure to print the Application Confirmation, sign and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions. You must also submit the FAFSA and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application.
Payment
A recipient is not required to submit another NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Incentive Program Web Application once awarded this scholarship, but must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NYS Student Aid Payment Application each year to receive payment.
Awards will be paid directly to the colleges on behalf of students upon the successful completion of each term. Successful completion of a term means the applicant meets all of the eligibility requirements for the award.
Frequently Asked Questions
View commonly asked questions pertaining to STEM.
Questions?
Please contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at [email protected] with questions about this Program.