Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarship Program

Since 1980, the Foundation has awarded more than $11 million in scholarships.

The 2013-14 freshmen scholarship application deadline has passed ~ applications will no longer be accepted. Non-traditional students have until June 1, 2013 to turn in their completed applications.

The Northern New York Community Foundation annually awards scholarships to

• high school seniors for their freshman year in college or technical school
  (Full-time enrollment required)
  and
• non-traditional students for any year in college or technical school.
  (Part-time and full-time enrollment available)

Applicants must reside in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties.

Applications are available in February each year, and can be downloaded at that time as a PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ). Applications will also be available through high school guidance counselors, the Jefferson Community College financial aid office, or the Community Foundation office. Completed  applications must be returned to the Foundation by April 1, by mail or hand delivered. They may not be submitted by e-mail.

The amount of many of the Foundation's individual scholarship awards is based on unmet financial need as determined by the student's college. To determine unmet need, students must complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information on determining financial need, click here.

Scholarship awards, which can average up to $3,000 annually, are available from three programs administered by the Foundation:

• Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students in liberal arts.
• Herring College Memorial Scholarships are awarded to students in engineering, sciences, mathematics, and related fields.
• Visiting Nurse Association Scholarships are awarded to students in nursing and health related fields.

The Foundation also offers scholarships through funds established by the College Women's Club of Jefferson County, North Country Goes Green Irish Festival, Watertown Morning Musicales and the Jefferson Leadership Institute (JLI).

Specific high school scholarships are also available to high school seniors through the following school districts: Alexandria, Beaver River, Belleville-Henderson, Carthage, Copenhagen, Edwards-Knox, General Brown, Immaculate Heart Central, Indian River, Lowville, Ogdensburg, Sackets Harbor, South Jefferson, South Lewis, Thousand Islands, and Watertown.

Residents of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties are also eligible to apply for the Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship - this scholarship is available to persons who have been awarded the Purple Heart, or to their dependents (spouse or child). Applicants may be in any year of full-time undergraduate study when they apply. Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year until all funds available for the academic year are awarded.

Scholarships are available for current residents of North Pleasant Street, Watertown whose families have lived on North Pleasant Street for at least five years.

The Fort Drum Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Inc. has established the 10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship for current and former 10th Mountain Division (Light) members and their families (spouse or child). The applicant or their military sponsor must also be a member of the 10th Mountain Division Association. Membership information is available from the Association. Scholarship applicants may reside anywhere and be in any year of full-time undergraduate study.

Qualifications at a glance...

• Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, residing in either Jefferson or Lewis counties, enrolled in 12 credits per semester. Graduate study is not funded.
• Students who will be attending technical schools are eligible to apply.
• New applications are accepted from high school seniors for the freshman year. High school juniors who are in an early graduation program may also apply.
• Selection for freshman scholarships is based upon academic achievement and personal data. Any unusual hardships and special family or personal circumstances should be described in the application.
• Scholarship amounts are based upon unmet financial need as determined by the student's college and could total $12,000 over four years. (Maximum of $3,000 per year for 4 years.)
• Students selected for a freshman scholarship who have no unmet financial need will receive a one-time merit award of $500.

Non-traditional students:

• Applicants must reside in Jefferson or Lewis counties.
• Applicants may be either part-time or full-time undergraduate students in any year of study. However, graduate study is not funded.
• Students who will be attending technical schools are eligible.
• Selection for non-traditional students is based on educational objectives, ability to meet them, and financial need. Additionally, any unusual hardships and special family or personal circumstances should be described in the application.
• Scholarship amounts are based upon financial need and may vary from year to year.

St. Lawrence County students:

• Applicants must be students in the following school districts:
  Canton, Colton-Pierrepont, Edwards-Knox, Gouverneur, Hammond, Harrisville, Hermon-DeKalb, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Madrid-Waddington, Massena, Morristown, Norwood-Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Parishville-Hopkinton, Potsdam and St. Lawrence Central.
• Applicants must be high school seniors who will be full-time freshmen (12 credits per semester).
• Students who will be attending technical schools are eligible to apply.
• Selection is based upon academic achievement and personal data. Any unusual hardships and special family or personal circumstances should be described in the application.
• Scholarship amounts will be up to $2,000 for one year, based upon unmet financial need as determined by the student's college.
• Students selected for a scholarship who have no unmet financial need will receive a one-time merit award of $500.

Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship:

• Applicants (or their dependents - spouse or child) must provide documentation of a Purple Heart Award.
• Applicants must be residents of Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence County.
• Applicants can be entering any year of full-time undergraduate study (12 credits per semester).
• Scholarship awards will be up to $3,000 for one year.

For more information

If you have questions about the variety of scholarship programs available, please contact our office at 315-782-7110 or e-mail us at april@nnycf.org.

Northern New York Community Foundation
120 Washington Street • Suite 400
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-7110