Scholarships

Students learning about SUNY Oneonta scholarships

Invest in your future by choosing SUNY Oneonta, and we will invest in you! We are committed to offering you an excellent academic experience at an affordable cost. Scholarships are an important part of our comprehensive financial assistance program, which also includes need-based aid, student employment and loans.

If you’re applying as a first-year student, you may be eligible for a scholarship based on your academic success in high school, or your financial need, or both. In most cases, these scholarships are renewable, so you will receive the same level of support each year for up to four years.

Transfer students are also eligible for academic merit scholarships for up to three years of undergraduate study.

All out-of-state undergraduate students who are accepted to SUNY Oneonta will automatically receive a renewable $8,000 scholarship! The four-year NYS Advantage Award is GUARANTEED to all non-New York State residents seeking a New York State college experience.

There is no separate application process for these scholarships, which are awarded based on the information you provide on your application for admission and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Ongoing Support for Your Success

Our commitment to scholarship support extends throughout your time at Oneonta. Every year, many current students are selected to receive departmental scholarships in recognition of academic excellence in their majors. These scholarships are managed through the SUNY Oneonta Foundation and funded through generous gifts from many alumni, faculty, staff and community members.

You can also apply for one-time grants to support the meaningful learning experiences you will have here, including:

  • more than $100,000 annually in student grants to support research and travel to professional conferences;
  • 23 different scholarships for students who study abroad or participate in faculty-led trips to the National Association of Music Merchants trade show in Los Angeles, Model UN competition in New York City, and many more;
  • special grants to help defray expenses associated with off-campus internships; and
  • a Student Emergency Fund that provides $50,000 a year in grants to help students facing unexpected obstacles that could affect their ability to pay for their education and stay in college.

$6.1 M

IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED EACH YEAR

90%

OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AND 84% OF ALL UNDERGRADUATES RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

$100K+

Awarded annualy in student grants to support research and travel to professional conferences

4.5 Stars ON THE “MONEY BEST COLLEGES IN AMERICA 2023 LIST”

Scholarship Awards

In the 2022-23 school year, SUNY Oneonta awarded $6.1 million in scholarships from a variety of sources including the SUNY Oneonta Foundation, thanks to the many alumni, faculty, staff and community members whose charitable gifts make many of these scholarships possible.

There is no separate application process for most SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Oneonta Foundation scholarships which are awarded by the university using information provided on applications for admission and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Merit scholarships are awarded to first-year students who have demonstrated academic achievement, distinction or excellence. All merit scholarships are renewable for four years.

President's Scholarship: $5,000 /year, 4-year (8 semester) for our highest achieving applicants who have shown exceptional academic ability in high school and are New York residents. Maximum 4-year value: $20,000.

Dean's Scholarship: $3,000 /year, 4-year (8 semester) for new, first-time students who have shown outstanding academic ability in high school and are New York residents. Maximum 4-year value: $12,000.

Provost's Scholarship: $2,000 /year, 4-year (8 semester) for new, first-time students who are New York residents, and have shown outstanding academic ability in high school. Maximum 4-year value: $8,000.

* Priority is given to students who apply for admission by January 15, 2024. All scholarships are renewable for 4 years (8 semesters) provided recipients meet continuing eligibility requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Unless otherwise noted, merit scholarships are applied to non-tuition related expenses up to total cost of attendance.

Financial need is demonstrated by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), subject to verification.

Opportunity Scholarship: $1,000 /year, 4-year (8 semester) award for first generation students who demonstrate financial need, are New York residents, and demonstrate academic achievement, distinction, or excellence. Maximum 4-year value: $4,000.

Oneonta Auxiliary Services (OAS) Promise Award: $2,000 /year, 4-year (8 semester) award for students who demonstrate financial need, are New York residents and have also been offered an Achievement or Opportunity Award. Maximum 4-year value: $8,000.

* Priority is given to students who apply for admission and have submitted a FAFSA by January 15, 2024. All need based scholarships are renewable for 4 years (8 semesters) provided recipients meet continuing eligibility requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Unless otherwise noted, scholarships are applied to non-tuition related expenses up to total cost of attendance.

NYS Advantage Award: $8,000 /year, awarded to first-year and transfer students who reside outside of New York state. It is renewable annually provided recipients maintain full-time enrollment and non-New York state residency.

Additional terms and conditions may apply.

We value the experiences and accomplishments transfer students bring to our community. Academic merit scholarships are available to students entering in the spring or fall semesters and are renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study.

To be considered, students must transfer in a minimum of 24 college credits and plan to enroll at SUNY Oneonta full-time (12 credits per semester). Additional terms and conditions may apply. Unless otherwise noted, merit scholarships are applied to non-tuition related expenses up to total cost of attendance.

Transfer Excellence Scholarship: $2,000 /year, 3-year (6 semester) for our highest achieving transfer students with 24 or more transferable credits and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

Transfer Success Scholarship: $1,500 /year, 3-year (6 semester) for transfer students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability with 24 or more transferable credits and a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 3.49

SUNY Oneonta Scholarships

Chalmers Means Scholarship – Awarded to a graduate student employed as classroom teacher, enrolled in full or part-time study in the Literacy MS. Ed. program. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships chooses the student for this $700 award ($350 Fall and $350 Spring). Chalmers Means Scholarship Application

O’Connor Foundation Scholarship – Awarded to full and part time matriculated graduate students who are currently enrolled in any of the Education programs and live in and are currently teaching in Delaware County, NY. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will award these scholarships. O’Connor Foundation Scholarship Application

The Alphonse Belmont ’61 Scholarship – Awarded to graduate students enrolled in the MS. Ed. School Counselor Program or who are enrolled in the Certificate of Advanced Study in School Counseling or its equivalent. The intent is to benefit students planning a career in guidance counseling and can be awarded to either full or part-time students. The Educational Psychology and Counseling Department chooses the students for this $600 award.

Dr. Olga M. Santora ‘35 Scholarship – Awarded to full and part time matriculated graduate students who are currently enrolled in the MS Ed. or MST programs. In addition to the scholarship application, students must submit a one-page essay that describes their personal leadership and character. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will award these scholarships. Dr. Olga M. Santora ’35 Scholarship Application

National & NYS Graduate Student Fellowships and Scholarships

Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program - provides students who (a) have achieved academic excellence in their undergraduate studies, (b) are pursuing a master’s degree program in education, and (c) agree to teach for five years in a classroom at a NYS public elementary or secondary school with a full tuition scholarship to a State University of New York (SUNY) or City University of New York (CUNY) college or university. Application

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships - The NSF seeks to encourage research in science, mathematics and engineering in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. A competition is conducted for Graduate Research Fellowships, with additional awards offered for women in engineering and computer and information science. The fellowships offer recognition and three years of support for advanced study to approximately 1000 outstanding graduate students in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences, including the history of science and the philosophy of science, and to research-based Ph.D. degrees in science education.

Soros Graduate Scholarship Program for New Americans - The Fellowships are grants for up to two years of graduate study in the United States. The recipients are chosen on a nationally competitive basis. Thirty Fellowships will be awarded each year. A New American is an individual who (1) is a resident alien, i.e., holds a Green Card; or, (2) has been naturalized as a US citizen, or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. The Program is open to individuals who retain loyalty and a sense of commitment to their country of origin as well as to the United States but is intended to support individuals who will continue to regard the United States as their principal residence and focus of national identity. The applicant must either have a bachelor's degree or be in their final year of undergraduate study. Those who have a bachelor's degree may already be pursuing graduate study and may receive Fellowship support to continue that study. Individuals who are in the third, or subsequent, year of study in the same graduate program are not, however, eligible for this competition.

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships (applied science and engineering) - This merit-based fellowship consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal support stipend. It can be renewed for up to 5 years of graduate study. Eligible applicants for Hertz Fellowships must be students of the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America. College seniors wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree in any of the fields of particular interest to the Foundation, as well as graduate students already in the process of doing so, may apply.

SMART Scholarship - The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at DoD laboratories.

The Federal TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 a year to students who are planning on teaching in particular high-need fields. In order for a student to receive this grant, they must agree to complete a service obligation by teaching in one of these fields and at a school that serves low-income students. If the teaching obligation is not completed, then the grant will convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan with interest charged from the date the original grant was received.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Department of Education's TEACH Grant Fact Sheet. This will provide you with all the terms and conditions of the award.

SUNY Oneonta awards more than $1.4 million in foundation and endowed scholarships with more than 150 opportunities each year. Scholarships are awarded during the aid packaging process and throughout the year as funding allows. In many cases, scholarships are designated for students majoring in particular fields of study or whose FAFSA demonstrates financial need. Funds are limited by annual allocation levels and priority is given to students who file their FAFSA by early January.

*Meeting the minimum scholarship criteria listed does not guarantee a scholarship award, but that a student will be considered. Funds are limited and subject to annual funding allocations.

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