The Universal Application is now OPEN for the Community Foundation’s Freshman Scholarship for students beginning their post-secondary education in academic year 2026-2027.
Some stand-alone scholarship opportunities are still open with individual deadlines. Students applying for open opportunities should log into our scholarship portal and complete the “2026-2027 Scholarship Application.” Meanwhile, we encourage you to explore our website to learn more about our scholarship opportunities and see the impact of these awards.
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Scroll down on this page to review Scholarship requirements.
Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in scholarships to students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
The Community Foundation annually awards scholarships to:
- High school seniors for their freshman year in college, vocational, trade or technical school. Full-time program enrollment is required for a one-year award.
- High school juniors in St. Lawrence County who will plan to pursue careers in STEM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are encouraged to apply for a one-year award.
- Nontraditional students for any year of college or vocational, trade or technical school. Full- or part-time program enrollment is required, and applicants must live in Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence county. Applicants may reapply each year.
Scholarships, which can average up to $2,500, are available from three programs the Community Foundation administers:
- Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarships — Awarded to students in liberal arts fields of study.
- Herring College Memorial Scholarships — Awarded to students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and related fields.
- Visiting Nurse Association Scholarships — Awarded to students in nursing and health-related fields.
The Community Foundation also stewards nearly 500 restricted scholarships through funds that individual donors have established.
Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program
The Northern New York Community Foundation administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program in partnership with the Jefferson Community College Foundation. The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program awards Jefferson and Lewis County high school seniors who are in the top 15 percent of their graduating class a merit-based scholarship of at least $1,500 for the first two semesters of study at Jefferson Community College. Students may use the scholarship to exclusively pay for student fees, books, room and board, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous non-tuition expenses. The value of a Jefferson-Can Community Scholar award does not exceed the unpaid tuition balance after all other financial aid — federal, state, outside grants and/or scholarships, including Excelsior — has been applied. Merit award minimum is $1,500 split between fall and spring semesters. Students must earn a 3.0 GPA during their first semester at JCC to be eligible for a spring semester award. The Northern New York Community Foundation will mail scholarship packets to students who qualify for the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program. Class ranking is determined by the high school transcript applicants submit at the time of application for admission to JCC.
How does a student become a Jefferson-Can Community Scholar?
- Current high school senior in Jefferson or Lewis counties.
- Apply for admission to Jefferson Community College by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
- Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, which is available now.
- Complete the New York State TAP and Excelsior Scholarship applications.
- Complete and return the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program packet from the Northern New York Community Foundation by Friday, May 1, 2026.
Click here to download and print a Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program flyer.
10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship
The Fort Drum Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division has established the 10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship for active or former 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) members or family members — spouse or child — of an active or former 10th Mountain Division (LI) soldier. The applicant or their military sponsor must also be a member of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division. Membership information is available from the Association. Scholarship applicants may live anywhere and be in any year of full-time undergraduate study. Apply no later than Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship
The Community Foundation administers the Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship. This is available to Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence County residents who were awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. armed forces or are a dependent — spouse or 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.
- Scholarship applicant must be a Purple Heart recipient OR the spouse, child, or grandchild* of a recipient.
- Scholarship applicant must be a resident of the tri-county area: Jefferson, Lewis or St Lawrence counties (the Purple Heart recipient does not need to live in the tri-county if the scholarship applicant is the recipient’s spouse, child, or grandchild).
- Scholarship applications are open to high school seniors or any full-time student already attending undergraduate or technical study, 12 credits per semester.
- $3,000 one-year scholarship (can reapply multiple years).
- Scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year.
*Grandchild eligibility is new as of the 2025-2026 academic school year
Specific Fields of Study & Geographic-Based Scholarships
Please refer to applications for specific programs of study on the Scholarships Available page of this site.
Qualifications at a glance …
Jefferson and Lewis County Freshman students
- Students in Jefferson and Lewis counties beginning their freshman undergraduate year:
- Must be full-time undergraduate students and live in either Jefferson or Lewis counties, enrolled in 12 credits per semester.
- Application packets are accepted from high school seniors for freshman undergraduate year study.
- Freshman scholarship selection is based primarily on academic achievement and personal data.
- Technical and vocational school students are eligible to apply.
- Graduate study is not funded.
St. Lawrence County students
- Applicants must be enrolled in the following school districts:
Canton, Clifton-Fine, Colton-Pierrepont, Edwards-Knox, Gouverneur, Hammond, Harrisville, Hermon-DeKalb, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Little River Community School, Madrid-Waddington, Massena, Morristown, Norwood-Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Parishville-Hopkinton, Potsdam, or St. Lawrence Central. - Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, enrolled in 12 credits per semester.
- Technical, trade, and vocational school students are eligible to apply.
- Applications are accepted from high school seniors for freshman undergraduate year study.
- Freshman scholarship selection is based primarily on academic achievement and personal data.
- Graduate study is not funded.
Next Step Education Program — Applications Accepted Throughout the Year on a Rolling Basis
- Applicants must live in Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence counties.
- Applicants may be either part-time or full-time undergraduate students in any year of study.
- Technical, trade, and vocational school students are eligible to apply.
- Nontraditional scholarship selection is based on educational objectives, ability to meet them, and financial need. Any hardships or unique family and personal circumstances should be described in the application.
- Graduate study is not funded.
To learn more …
Call, 315-782-7110, or e-mail Tara Hess, scholarship and program associate, tara@nnycf.org.
Contact us
Northern New York Community Foundation
Northern New York Philanthropy Center
131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047