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Senior Scholarships
Frequently Asked About Scholarships
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.
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.
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.
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)
Sorted By Due Date
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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
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Hagan Scholarship
Due: December 1st, 2025
Amount: Up to $60,000 (Across 4 years/8 semesters)
Eligibility:
- Must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher
- Must enroll in eligible 4-year college or university for Fall 2026 semester
- Must work 240 hours from January 1st, 2026-September 1st, 2026
- Parents 2024 Adjusted Gross Income must not have exceeded $100,000
WNY Law Enforcement Helpline Scholarship
Due: December 15th, 2025
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Must reside in WNY
- Must have at least one parent who has worked in any law enforcement field
- Must be a senior in high school
- Must plan on attending a two or four year college/university full time
- Must be majoring in a helping field such as criminal justice, mental health, education, or medical field
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Niagara Choice Credit Union Scholarship
Due: January 9th, 2026
Amount: Variable
Eligibility:
- Planning to attend a 2- or 4-year accredited educational institution or a vocational/trade school for the first time in the fall 2026
- Current member of Niagara’s Choice FCU (or any other program participating credit union)
- If not already a member, can open an account
Ontario Shores Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Due: January 9th, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Planning to attend a 2- or 4-year accredited educational institution or a vocational/trade school for the first time in the fall 2026
- Current member of Ontario Shores FCU
- If not already a member, can open an account
- Student Letter
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Elks Legacy Award
Due: February 2nd, 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 April 1, 2023
Young Women in Leadership Award (Through Zonta Club)
Due: February 20th, 2026
Amount: $750
Eligibility:
- Graduating female senior under the age of 19
- School and community volunteer experience
- Letter of reccomendation must be from a non-family member
NOCA Canisius University Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,250/year for 4 years (max. $5,000)
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who must be accepted and enroll full-time at Canisius University next year
- Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 at Cansius University is required to remain eligible for this award
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who will be completing a two-year career and technical education program at the Niagara or Orleans CTE Center.
- Student must be pursuing additional education or training in their career field over the next year.
- Student must provide letters of recommendation from an instructor or staff member at their Niagara or Orleans CTE Center and include attendance from CTE program junior and senior year.
- Include the value of your CTE education as it relates to your career goals in your essay.
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA Genesee Community College Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $500 (tuition for first year; $250 first two semesters)
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who must plan on enrolling full-time next year at Genesee Community College
- Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 at GCC for the second semester payment
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA Merit Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who is planning on enrolling full-time next year at an accredited two or four-year college/university
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA Niagara University Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,500/year for 4 years (x2) (max. $6,000)
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who must plan on enrolling full-time next year at Niagara University
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 at Niagara University to remain eligible for this scholarship
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA Phoenix Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who is planning on enrolling full-time next year at an accredited two or four-year college/university.
- Student has achieved in the face of a pervasive and overwhelming obstacle or crisis. This can be personal or school related over which you have experienced success.
- This obstacle(s) must be addressed in the one-page essay.
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
NOCA SUNY Niagara Scholarship:
Due: February 24th, 2026
Amount: $1,000 (tuition for first year; $500 for first two semesters)
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior who must plan on enrolling full-time next year at Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara)
- Student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 at SUNY Niagara for the 2nd semester payment
Scholarship application must be returned to Ms. Niles by February 24th for submission
Li S. Liu, P.E. Memorial Scholarship
Due: February 27th, 2026
Amount: $ Varies
Eligibility:
- Be a qualifying senior in WNY
- Be accepted into an accredited college engineering program
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Zonta Club of Lockport Scholarships (3 Seperate)
Due: March 1st, 2026
Amount: Varied
Eligibility:
- Female senior graduating in June 2026 from and Eastern Niagara County high school
- College bound
- NOTE: You need only complete ONE application – you will be considered for all three
- Scholarship List
Hispanic Scholarship Endowment Fund
Due: March 6th, 2026
Amount: Varied
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior and resident of an approved county
- Must be of Hispanic origin
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Must be committed to starting college/university Fall of 2026
Emerging Women Leaders Scholarship
Due: March 15th, 2026
Amount: $500 (3)
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school female senior
- Must be college bound
- Muct be a U.S. citizen and live in Niagara County
NCCC Distinguished Student Scholarship
Due: March 20th, 2026
Amount: 2 years tuition free
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior from a Niagara County high school with a Regents diploma in June 2026
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Must be planning to enroll as a full-time student at SUNY Niagara for Fall 2026
- Must have previous volunteer community service and involvement in high school
- Must provide assurance you will remain in or return to Niagara County
- Scholarship Instructions
Kenan Arts Council Scholarship
Due: March 31st, 2026
Amount: $1,500 (2)
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior intending to major in fine art, design, theater, dance, or music
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Candace Ann Cook Memorial Scholarship
Due: April 1st, 2026
Amount: $2,000 (Annually)
Eligibility:
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be entering 12th grade this year in Niagara County
- Pursuing a degree in Health and Human Services or Medical Field
- Will not review application if you do not have all components
Lockport Elks #41 Law Enforcement & Community Service Scholarship:
Due: April 1st, 2026
Amount:
Eligibility:
- College bound senior
- For degree programs in law enforcement, social services, community management, and EMS
Completed application must be recieved via mail or postmarked no later than 4/1/2026
Lois Lyon Brennan Scholarship
Due: April 1st, 2026
Amount: Full Tuition, Books, Room, & Board at Niagara University for up to 4 years
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior with a high school average of 92% or higher
- Demonstrate significant financial need
- Demonstrate leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Be a U.S. citizen
Niagara County Assessors’ Association Scholarship
Due: April 1st, 2026
Amount: $500
Eligibility:
- Graduating senior from a Niagara County high school
- Must be attending a NYS college, university, or trade school in Fall 2026
Completed application must be recieved via mail or postmarked no later than 4/1/2026
Rodney Conrad Sr. Memorial Scholarship:
Due: April 1st, 2026
Amount:
Eligibility:
- College bound senior
- Pursuing a four-year degree programs in education, engineering, sciences, humanities, business, accounting, and mathematics
Completed application must be recieved via mail or postmarked no later than 4/1/2026
Margaret Hoch Scholarship (Delta Kappa Gamma)
Due: April 4th, 2026
Amount: $500
Eligibility:
- Graduating female senior with a cumulative GPA of 85% or higher
- Accepted into college and pursuing a degree in education
- Have participated in a variety of school and/or community activities
Completed application must be recieved via mail or postmarked no later than 4/4/2026
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“Be A Victor” Scholarship:
Due: May 1st, 2025
Amount: $4,000 (x2)
Eligibility:
- Newfane HS graduating senior who has overcome adversity on the path to higher education
- Scholarship must be used for college or an accredited technical/trade program
Lester Oakes Memorial American History Scholarship
Due: May 1st, 2025
Amount: $500
Eligibility:
- Must be a child of a current or former service member of the U.S. Military or under legal guardianship of a current or former service member and be able to provide supporting records/documentation of the qualified veteran.
- Graduating from Newfane High School with acceptance to a 2-, 4-year college, or trade school
- Maintain high averages in social studies courses
- Be involved in community service
Newfane Alumni Association Sponsored Scholarships
Due: May 1st, 2025
Amount: Varied
Scholarships Available:
- Newfane Alumni Association Scholarship (4 x $1,000)
- John & Elsbeth Hamluk Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
- The Kevin Hamluk Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
- Newfane Lions Club Scholarship (Varied)
- Newfane Class of 1975 Scholarship ($500)
Eligibility:
- Newfane HS graduating senior or alumnus
- Scholarship must be used to attend college or an accredited technical/trade school
- NOTE: Complete ONE application - select each scholarship you would like to apply for
Newfane Central School District Board of Education Scholarship
Due: May 1st, 2025
Amount: $500 (3)
Eligibility:
- Newfane graduating senior
Newfane Unified Sports Athlete Grant (Newfane Lions Club):
Due: May 1st, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Newfane HS non-returning athlete who particpated in the NYS Section VI Interscholarstic Unified bowling and/or basketball programs in the 25-26 school year.
- Exhibited sportsmanship on and off the court with teammates and opponents
- Experience personal growth through participation
- Gained knowledge of the fundamentals of the sports they participated in
Past National Commander Michael J. Kogutek American Legion Scholarship Trust:
Due: May 1st, 2025
Amount: $1,500 (x2)
Eligibility:
- Must be a student attending high school within American Legion 8th District
- Scholarship will be awarded based on veteran status (family members), financial need, scholastic ability, realistic goals, extra-curricular activities, and community involvement
Completed application and all materials must be submitted or postmarked no later than May 1st, 2026
Kevin Newton Memorial Athletic Scholarship
Due: May 15th, 2025
Amount: $500
Eligibility:
- Graduating male senior at Newfane High School
- Must have played a sport for at least 2 out of 4 years at Newfane High School
- Scholarship money must be used to attend a 2- or 4- year college or an accredited technical or trade school
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