Scholarships

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

• 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. 

• 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

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.

Deadline: Post-Marked by March 15, 2023

American Legion (Penn Yan Johnson-Costello Post 355) Scholarships: The Penn Yan Johnson-Costello Post 355 of the American Legion is offering $1,000 scholarships to TWO members of the Penn Yan Academy Class of 2023. PYA has winners every year! 

Applications are available at the Penn Yan Academy Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer.

Deadline: Must be postmarked and mailed to the chairman of the Scholarship Committee by noon on April 6, 2023. 

Needed: a completed application, your high school transcript, 3 letters of recommendation (1 not from school staff), and a short composition essay. Please give recommenders a 2 week notice.

Proficiency shown in answering the application and interview questions, initiative shown through past activities, interest in and understanding of world affairs, and knowledge about the United States will be among the standards used in rating candidates.

UR/Thompson Health Guild Scholarship:  The UR/Thompson Health Guild is offering up to five $2,000 scholarships to be awarded to students who have been enrolled the entire senior year in a high school located in the service area of the UR/Thompson Health System, Inc.  Penn Yan Academy qualifies. These awards will be made on the basis of merit to high school seniors who will enroll in any university, college, or proprietary school offering post-secondary education in a health-related field. The scholarship awards are not restricted to a New York State college or university.  The scholarship award will be made in January 2024 following the recipient’s successful completion of the first semester of college with intent to continue to study in a health-related field.  The UR/Thompson Health Guild must receive confirmation of fall grades and registration/ payment for the second semester before the award is issued to the student.  Payment will be made directly to the student.

The Scholarship Application and High School Counselor Form are available online at:  https://www.thompsonhealth.com/Foundation/Thompson-Guild/Guilds-Scholarship.   

 * Students who apply, must notify their High School Counselor as there is a School Counselor Form to be completed.  Please notify your School Counselor at least 2 weeks before the deadline.

Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023.

CSEA (County) Local Scholarship Application: This local (862) union scholarship is for students whose parent(s) have 1 year of employment with the CSEA Local 862.  Award=$3000 divided by the number of good applications.  One or two people can win, it depends on the number who apply.  Applications with short essay are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer and must be returned to the CSEA Local 862 Unit President.

Deadline: April 14

CSEA (PYCSD Unit) Scholarship Application: This local scholarship is for students whose parent(s) have 1 year of employment with the Penn Yan Central School District and belong to the CSEA Local 862.  Award=$1000.  The number of scholarships and amount awarded to each applicant per year may vary.  Applications with short essay are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer and are due in the Guidance Office.

Deadline: April 14

Izaak Walton League Career Scholarship:  $1000 scholarship to assist Yates County high school senior students who are planning on attending college and preparing for careers in conservation, ecology, or other environmental careers. Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer. 

Deadline: Postmarked by April 20

Penn Yan Education Association Scholarships:  The Penn Yan Education Association will award scholarships to 5 graduating seniors at Penn Yan Academy. The awards will be tiered to a total amount of $5,000. The money will be given directly to the winners and may be used to defray any expenses related to obtaining a post high school education including career, trade schools, and two and four year colleges. Family income is not considered in the selection process.  Please complete the application (e-mailed to seniors & parents/guardians on 3/28/2023) and return it to Mrs. Oster in person or via email ([email protected]).

Deadline: April 21, 2023

Penn Yan Area Council of Churches Scholarship: Are you active within your church community? Do you share your faith with others? Could you use a little help to supplement your college expenses? The Penn Yan Area Council of Churches is offering scholarships of up to $400 for students who will be entering college this fall. You can be selected by the scholarship committee for your church service by telling us what you have done to strengthen your church community. Your pastor must also sign to confirm your activities. Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer.  Questions can be directed to Mrs. Anne Meyer-Wilber at 536-2691.  Send completed application to: Penn Yan Area Council of Churches, P.O. Box  637, Penn Yan, NY 14527. 

Deadline: April 21

Penn Yan Lions Elliott Vorce Community Service Award:    Two $2,000 scholarship awards based on community service in memory of Mr. Vorce who was a Lion and taught Social Studies at PYA for many years.  Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer and are due in the Guidance Office.

Deadline: April 28

Penn Yan Lions Wayne W. Wagner Sportsman Award:  A $500.00 scholarship award in memory of Mr. Wagner who was an outstanding Penn Yan civic leader and avid outdoorsman.  Accomplishments to be considered include service to the community, service to youth sports, and interests in conservation, hunting, golfing, or other outdoors endeavors.  Applications are available in the Guidance Office Scholarship Drawer and are due in the Guidance Office.

Deadline: April 28

Penn Yan Chapter of the Women of the Moose “Good Citizenship Award”:  One $500 award given to a qualified graduating male or female from PYA.  Eligibility requirements: The applicant must write an essay about why you believe that you are a good citizen. Applications are in the Guidance Office Scholarship drawer and due in the Guidance Office.

Deadline: May 1

Penn Yan Chapter of the Women of the Moose “Ethel McDermott Memorial Award”:

One $500 award to a deserving senior, male or female from PYA, pursuing higher education in the fields of Health or Human Services.  The applicant must complete an essay about your future plans.  Applications are in the Guidance Office Scholarship drawer and due to the Guidance Office. 

Deadline: May 1

Penn Yan Loyal Order of the Moose Meredth “Jugg” McMichael Award:  One $5,000.00 scholarship award.  Applicants must be a son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter of a living or deceased member of the Loyal Order of Moose 2030 Lodge.  Requires 3 letters of recommendation and an essay.  Applications are available at the Penn Yan Moose Lodge (301 E. Elm Street) or in the Guidance Office Scholarship drawer and are due to the Moose Lodge.

Deadline: May 1

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: 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: 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.