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Senior Scholarships

Frequently Asked About Scholarships

NYS STEM Incentive Program:  

The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a public or private 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. Students need to ensure their major program is on the eligibility list of majors.

 

SUNY College/University Scholarships:

Scholarships specific to SUNY colleges/universities only.

 

NYS Excelsior Scholarship:

Available to eligible NYS residents to attend a 2- or 4- year SUNY college tuition free.

After graduation, students who receive the scholarship, must live and work in NYS for the same duration of time that they accpeted the scholarship. If not, they will be required to back the total amount of the scholarship.


NYS  Enhanced Tuition Award:

 Available to eligible NYS residents to attend a participating private NYS college receiving up to $6,000 annually.

After graduation, students who receive the scholarship, must live and work in NYS for the same duration of time that they accpeted the scholarship. If not, they will be required to back the total amount of the scholarship.


NYS Academic Excellence Scholarship:

Students can not apply for this scholarship. Each year, NYS determines number of scholarships available based on the school population. Per scholarship guidelines, students are nominated utilizing “Class Rank” from the end of their junior year. Nominees must also meet other eligibility requirements (i.e. graduate high school by end of their senior year, be a legal resident of NYS for at least one year, etc.) Eligible students are notified of their selection for this scholarship prior to the February deadline.  In most cases, students must initially attend a college or university in NYS in order to receive the scholarship.  Awards are renewable up to 4 years (5 years if enrolled in a 5 year program).

 

Scholarship Websites

Below are a handful of online resources that can be utilized to identify additional scholarship opportunities. This list is not exhaustive.

Each site lists numerous scholarships that have varying deadlines and eligibility criteria.

College Board Big Future 

Cappex  

Scholarship Monkey  

My College Options 

Niche

Going Merry

Scholar Snapp

Unigo

Scholarship Buddy New York

College Data

Broke Scholar

Free-4U

Weird Scholarships

WNY School Counselor Scholarships (numerous scholarships for WNY high school students)

NYSFAAA (list of numerous websites)

Best Scholarship Sites (plus website reviews)

Scholarship Bee (numerous scholarships by category) 

College Scholarship Search Sites (many search sites listed in one website)    

 

Due: October 31st, 2025

Amount: Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at multiple levels – grand prize: $35,000

Eligibility:

  • Students in 9th-12th grade

Please see the attached document for additional information and application. See Ms. Niles with any questions.

 

Sorted By Due Date

  • Elks Most Valuable Student:

    Due: November 12th 2025

    Amount: $1,000-$7,500 (500 4-year scholarships)

    Eligibility:

    • Be a senior in high school
    • Be planning on pursuing a 4-year degree full time at a U.S. college/university beginning in Fall 2026-27
    • Be a US citizen at time of application
    • Do not need to be a member of the Elks

    Apply Now

  • Elks Legacy Award

    Due: February 2, 2026

    Amount: $4,000

    Eligibility:

    • Be a senior in high school
    • Be the child or grandchild of a living Elk member who joined on or before Apirl 1, 2023

    Apply Now