Extensive Opportunities for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County Students
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence county students who plan to enroll in any accredited post-secondary educational program in the fall of 2026.
An online application streamlines the process for most scholarships. Students may access the scholarship portal, create a user account, and begin an online application by clicking on a button found on the home page at nnycf.org. The universal application process asks questions that will determine the scholarships for which students are eligible. There is no application fee to apply for Community Foundation scholarships.
With few exceptions, all Community Foundation scholarship applications are due Sunday, March 15, 2026. Scholarships with different deadlines — some after March 15 — are noted on the same web page. Applications cannot be accepted after the published deadline.
High school seniors from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties who plan to enroll as full-time undergraduates next fall may apply for a one-year, Community Foundation Freshman Scholarship. Students pursuing technical, trade or vocational school may also apply and should complete the same application. Students are reminded to thoroughly read all application instructions, complete all sections and submit the application by the deadline.
In partnership with donors and tri-county school districts, the Community Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million to 743 students earlier this year, most of whom were members of the Class of 2025. The average award was nearly $2,500 per student. In many cases, eligible students were awarded more than one scholarship to pursue their educational goals.
Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 and some awards are renewable each year. Opportunities are available for high school seniors, college students, graduate students, career and technical students, adult learners returning to school, and students of all abilities.
Since 1980, the Community Foundation has provided more than $28.7 million in scholarship awards to students who live in the tri-county region. The Community Foundation annually administers nearly 500 restricted scholarships established by individual donors, families, businesses, and organizations, as well as scholarship funds on behalf of 32 school districts throughout Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
“Because of the generosity of our donors, we have more opportunities than ever to assist all types of students in their educational pursuits. While we have many academic based scholarships, several use other criteria, so everyone should apply,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Education is one of our largest annual investments in the region and we hope we will see a record number of applicants this year so we can make an even greater difference in lives of tri-county residents.”
Students may now apply online using the same 2026-2027 Scholarship Application for several opportunities that previously required unique applications, including: George C. Boldt Scholarship; North Country Goes Green Irish Festival Scholarships; North Pleasant Street (Watertown) Scholarship; Northpole Fire Company Inc. Scholarship; North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship; Shaw Harbor Foundation Scholarship; and all Thousand Islands Foundation scholarships.
The Retired Educators of New York North Central Zone Scholarship requires students to complete an application packet that can be downloaded and printed from the Community Foundation’s website at nnycf.org/scholarships/applications. The deadline to apply for that scholarship is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Completed packets must be returned or postmarked by the deadline to the address specified in the application.
Additional programs, opportunities
The Community Foundation also administers the following scholarship funds and programs for which students may apply using the same online 2026-2027 Scholarship Application:
- Next Step Education Program — Awarded to applicants who live in Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence counties who have had a break in their education and are not pursuing higher education immediately following completion of high school. Eligible applicants may be enrolled full- or part-time in college or a technical, trade, or vocational school. They can also be enrolled in coursework leading to enhanced skills for career advancement or micro-credentials and certifications. Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year with award decisions made within 30 days of applying.
- Evergreen STEM Scholarship — (High school Class of 2027) Awards ten, $3,000 scholarships annually to St. Lawrence County high school juniors who plan to pursue studies in STEM-related fields — science, technology, engineering, and math. Applications for this scholarship program are due by Sunday, June 1, 2026.
- Herring College Memorial Scholarship — Awarded to students in engineering, sciences, mathematics, and related fields, as well as the Visiting Nurses Association Scholarship for students pursuing continuing education in nursing or health-related fields. Applications for this scholarship program are due by Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship — Available to residents of Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence County who were awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. armed forces or are a dependent — spouse, child or grandchild — of a U.S. military member or veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart. Purple Heart Scholarship applications are reviewed throughout the year until all available funds for the academic year are awarded. Applications for this scholarship program are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
- 10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship — Awarded to active or former 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) members or family members — spouse or child — of an active or former 10th Mountain Division soldier. The applicant or their military sponsor must also be a member of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division. Scholarship applicants may live anywhere and be in any year of full-time undergraduate study. Applications for this scholarship program are due by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
- George C. Boldt Scholarship — Awarded to three Jefferson County residents for full-time undergraduate study. Students who will be attending technical, trade or vocational schools are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted from high school seniors or nontraditional students who have had a break in their studies. Applications for this scholarship program are due Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- Russell I. Wilcox Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Scholarship — Awarded to two students for undergraduate study. Applicants must be current full-time Thousand Islands Bridge Authority employees, retirees, or their children or grandchildren of the same. Applications for this scholarship program are due by Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Contact Tara Hess, scholarship and program associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, with questions about Community Foundation scholarships. Visit nnycf.org to learn more and to access applications.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.