*** THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 IS CLOSED ***
Scroll down to review general eligibility requirements for scholarship support.
Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $26 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.
- 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 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. Students must earn a 3.0 GPA during their first semester at JCC to be eligible for a spring semester award. The 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 mid-April.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.
- Complete the New York State TAP and Excelsior Scholarship applications.
Qualifications at a glance…
Jefferson and Lewis County high school seniors
- 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 high school seniors
- Applicants must be enrolled in the following school districts: Canton, Clifton-Fine, Colton-Pierrepont, Edwards-Knox, Gouverneur, Hammond, Harrisville, Hermon-DeKalb, Heuvelton, Lisbon, 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
- 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.
- Next Step Education Program 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.
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 — 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.
- 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.
For more information
E-mail our scholarship team at scholarships@nnycf.org or call 315-782-7110, to learn more.