SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION  

CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS:

EIGHTH DISTRICT FEDERATED GARDEN CLUBS OF NEW YORK STATE SCHOLARSHIP:  Eighth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State offer a $1,000 stipend to a graduating high school senior residing in one of the following Western New York counties:  Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, or Niagara.  Applicants must be planning to major in one of the following areas of study:  Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Environmental Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Land Management, Landscape Design, Wildlife Science, or a field related to the above.  Visit  https://www.gardenclubsofwny.com/1000-college-scholarship for more information and an application.  
Deadline:  Must be postmarked between March 15th and March 31st.  Electronic submissions will NOT be considered.

BANK ON BUFFALO SCHOLARSHIP:  BankOnBuffalo is committed to the communities and businesses they serve and proud to support the next generation of business leaders.  They invite eligible students to enhance their education by participating in their annual scholarship contest.  Funding is available for up to 5 scholarships, $1,000 each, to be used for continuing education in a business-related field.  High school seniors with intentions of furthering their education at a college or university with a business-related degree are eligible to apply.   Applications can be picked up in the Student Services Office.  Deadline:  March 17, 2023.

DENA GOLDSTEIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  The Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Western New York (SHAWNY) will be awarding the twenty-first annual Dena Goldstein Memorial Scholarship in June of 2023.  Any Western New York high school senior who has a speech, language, and/or hearing impairment and plans to further his/her education is eligible to apply.  Application may be downloaded at www.shawny.org.  Deadline:  March 24, 2023.  

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY- POST #205 HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP:  The American Legion Auxiliary- Post #205 will award up to three $1,000 scholarships to students attending college/university in 2023/2024.  This scholarship is intended to assist Erie/Niagara county students who share the ideals of the American Legion Auxiliary.  The scholarship will be awarded based on scholastic ability, extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and leadership potential.  Applications can be picked up in the Student Services Office.  Deadline:  March 31, 2023.

CHARACTER EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP:   The Character Council of Western New York and Harvest Time Partners are offering $1,000 scholarships to college or trade school bound seniors who exemplify character in their daily lives.  This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior from a public, private, parochial, or home school enrolling full-time in a college or trade school for the fall following his/her graduation.  The scholarships will be made payable directly to the chosen post-secondary institution.  You can download a fillable PDF application by visiting http://charactercouncilwny.org/scholarship/.  
Deadline:  March 31, 2023.

HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK SCHOLARSHIP:  The High School Counselors Association of Western New York provides mutual support and professional exchange and opportunities for high school counselors.  Students wishing to apply for this scholarship must:  be a high school senior, graduating in June of the senior year; plan to attend a 4-year college or university in New York State; plan to major in social work, psychology, or a counseling related field; have a grade point average of 85 or above; take part in extracurricular activities, school and/or community service.  This scholarship is a $500 check made out to the student.  The student will receive the scholarship in June.  Applications can be picked up in the Student Services Office.  Completed applications should be turned in to the Student Services office no later than March 31, 2023.  One application will be selected to be forwarded to the scholarship committee.  Deadline:  March 31, 2023.

ROWLAND A. RUPP, JR.  ASTRONOMY SCHOLARSHIP:  The Buffalo Astronomical Association Rowland A. Rupp Jr. Scholarship encourages study in STEM-related fields by providing financial support to students residing in or attending high school in one of the eight counties of Western New York who have a passion for astronomy or an astronomy-related field as they enter post-secondary education.  The scholarship pays $5,000  to the winning student in two increments of $2,500, the first payable immediately, and the second following the student’s successful completion of two years of college.  Applicants must be a high school senior at the time of application, be residing in, or attending a high school in one of the eight counties of Western New York, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (percentile scale 85%), and have a demonstrable interest in astronomy or an astronomy-related field, including but not limited to:  astrophysics, radio astronomy, astrophotography, cosmology, etc.  Visit  ruppscholarship.com for more information or to apply.  Deadline:  April 1, 2023.

SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN (SWAVF) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:  The Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen of the State of New York (SWAVF) and its Ladies Auxiliary are pleased to announce its community service scholarship program for 2023.  This is open to all high school seniors who will graduate in 2023, and will be enrolling for full-time study at an accredited institution of post-secondary study in the fall of 2023.  Applicants must be either a member, junior member, ladies auxiliary member, or Fire Explorer of a SWAVF member fire department or company OR be the child or grandchild of an active member, ladies auxiliary member, or exempt member of a SWAVF member fire department or company OR be the child or grandchild of an officer, past officer, committee member, life member, or annually registered member of the SWAVF or SWAVF Ladies' Auxiliary.  This year there will be one Southwestern Firemen's Scholarship awarded in the amount of $800 and three SWAVF Ladies Auxiliary Scholarships awarded for $150 each.  The three Auxiliary Scholarships will be awarded to the top applicant from each county not represented by the SWAVF Firemen's Scholarship winner.  Applications forms are available at www.SWAVF.com.  Deadline:  April 15, 2023.   

BUFFALO URBAN LEAGUE SCHOLARSHIP:  Each year, the Buffalo Urban League awards scholarships to graduating high school students and recent HSE/GED recipients in our community to help them further their education and achieve their career goals. Recipients are determined by academic achievement, community service, character, and financial need. To be eligible for the Buffalo Urban League scholarship consideration, you must be a High School Senior or recent HSE/GED recipient (within the current academic year), who plans to attend college or a vocational school in the fall of 2023.  Visit https://www.buffalourbanleague.org/scholarship to apply.  Deadline:  April 17, 2023.  

STUDENT-VIEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:  The 2023 Student-View Scholarship Program is offering $12,000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college, community/junior college or career school.  The program includes one $5,000 scholarship, two $1,000 scholarships, and ten $500 scholarships.  No minimum SAT/ACT score or grade point average, no essay required, no lengthy application forms, no application fees.  Simply log on to www.student-view.com and complete a 15-20 minute application survey about colleges in  your area.  The scholarship will be awarded via a random drawing of all completed applications.  The scholarship winner will be announced in May 2023.  Deadline:  April 23, 2023.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO SCHOLARSHIP:  Since 1924, the Community Federation for Greater Buffalo has been awarding scholarships to students from Western New York.  Since 2000, they have awarded over $41 million in scholarships to thousands of local college students.  To take advantage of these scholarships, you must be a permanent resident in one of the eight counties of WNY (Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming); have a GPA of at least 2.0, and be accepted to an accredited non-profit college or university in the United States for full-time study at the undergraduate level.  A strong preference will be given to students who are Pell eligible and attending school in one of the eight counties of Western New York (WNY).  Scholarship applications are available now www.cfgbscholarships.org.  Deadline:  May 1, 2023.

ERIE COUNTY COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SCHOLARSHIP:  This year the Erie County Convention of the American Legion will be at the American Legion at the Milton J. Brounshidle Post 205, located at 3354 Delware Ave., Kenmore, NY 14217 on June 3, 2023, and it is known at this time, that there will be at least four (4) awards presented with a value of five hundred dollars ($500) each with a possibllity of a few more scholarships. Scholarship awards are based on monetary need, scholastic ability, realistic goals, extra-curricular activities, and community involvement.   Applicants must be available to receive the award at the American Legion County Convention on June 3, 2023.  Applications can be picked up in the Student Services office.  Deadline:  May 4, 2023.

BUFFALO POLICE OFFICER DAVID J. SCIME FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD & ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY ROBERT S. INSALACO FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:  These scholarship awards are sponsored by the Italian-American Police Association in memory of two deceased members of the association who were killed in the line of duty; Erie County Sheriff Robert S. Insalaco (August 13, 1987) and Buffalo Police Officer David J. Scime (September 5, 1974).  In order to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:  must be a resident of Western New York, must be a senior in high school, must be accepted to a certified college for the Fall 2023 term, must have a minimum  average of 80 percent, must submit to an interview by the awards committee if requested to do so.  An  application for both scholarships can be picked up in the Student Services Office.  Deadline:  May 15, 2023.       

CHRISTINE F. MALARKEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Cheektowaga Central High School senior planning on pursuing a career in the field of education, health-related or science occupation.  This scholarship is being presented in memory of Christine F. Malarkey, who spent 33 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of pupil services with the Cheektowaga Central School District.   Applications can be picked up in the Student Services Office.    Completed applications should be turned in to the Student Services Office no later than June 1st.  Deadline:  June 1, 2022.

THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF BUFFALO, INC. SCHOLARSHIPS:  The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc. is now accepting applications for their 2023 scholarships.  High school students who anticipate acceptance in an A.B.E.T www.abet.org certified engineering or technology program at WNY institutions of higher learning are eligible to apply. Four (4) total scholarships are awarded each year to matriculated Engineering or Technology students; $300 per semester- Total $2,400.  Recipients must be matriculated in the fall semester following graduation from high school.  The award is based on scholastic record, financial need, extracurricular activities, and leadership potential.  Scholarship applications may be downloaded at www.tesb.org.  Deadline:  June 1, 2023.

THE PAIGE T. CASILLO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  The Paige T. Casillo Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Cheektowaga Central High School senior pursuing a career in education or the helping field.  Applications can be picked up in the Student Services Office.  Completed applications should be turned in to the Student Services Office no later than June 1st.  Deadline:  June 1, 2022. 

THE BIGSUN ORGANIZATION SCHOLARSHIP:  The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. In order to do their part, they are offering an annual scholarship to a deserving student. All student athletes are eligible regardless of the sport they are engaged in or the capacity in which they participate. The student must be a high school senior or be attending a post-secondary institute.  Visit https://bigsunathletics.com/ for information on how to apply.  Deadline:  June 19, 2023. 

NYS EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP:   The 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.  Visit  hesc.ny.gov for more information.

NYS  SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) INCENTIVE PROGRAM:   The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards 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.  hesc.ny.gov for more information.

SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHING:  Click on the links below to access the thousands of scholarships available nationally.  Note:  These sites are free but do ask for personal information to match you with scholarships.

FastWeb

Scholarships.com

Student-Scholarships

College-scholarships

Cappex

Niche

GoingMerry

CareerOnestop scholarships

ScholarSnapp

Scholar's App

Financial Aid Information:

Access to the FAFSA Portal for parents and students begins October 1, 2023.

SUNY Financial Aid Days:

SUNY's Financial Aid Days are offered as a free service to all prospective college students and their families. The programs are designed to answer questions and provide assistance regarding the financial aid application, types of aid available, and the financial aid award process.

Many campuses will provide hands-on assistance from SUNY financial aid professionals in completing the FAFSA.

Websites to help parents and students complete the FAFSA and TAP applications:

Start Here Get There -  This free and new website is an excellent resource tool for parents and students who need assistance completing the FAFSA and TAP forms on-line.   It also provides a link to access regional workshops across NYS.

Please Note: The links listed above will bring you to third party institutions. The Cheektowaga Central School District does not endorse any of these links, nor are we responsible for their compliance.