Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Cara Goldstone Image Written By: Cara Goldstone | Edited By: Alyssa Schulz | Updated: June 2, 2026

New York Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • New York scholarships are financial aid awards open to residents of and students attending colleges in the state of New York.
  • The best New York scholarship for an individual student will differ based on their personal attributes, financial need, and academic situation.
  • There are scholarships available to New York students looking to fund both undergraduate and graduate-level education.

In 2024, the total cost for an in-state student to attend a 4-year public university in New York averaged to $25,398 per year. Students planning to attend college in New York may not know what resources are available to finance their education. Keep reading to learn about the best scholarship opportunities for students attending school or residing in New York.

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The 25 Best New York Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • NES Scholarship Program

  • Amount$25,000
  • DeadlineJune 26, 2026

The New England Society in the City of New York (NES) awards scholarships each year to deserving New York City high school students who will be attending a college or university in New England. Scholarship Details Scholarships of up to $25,000 per student over four years Funds are sent directly to the recipient’s college or university Designed to reduce student loan liability Scholarships

  • 2

  • Kids' Chance of New York Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

Kids’ Chance of New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created with the purpose to provide scholarships for college and vocational education to children of New York workers who have been fatally or seriously injured in a work-related accident, resulting in financial need. Scholarship awards vary and depend largely on the needs and educational expenses of the student. Scholarships may

  • 3

  • LASF Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJuly 14, 2026

To be eligible for the LASF Scholarship, applicants must: be of Laotian descent who has graduated from high school for the current year; have applied to and will be attending a college, university or trade school; and reside within Western New York State. The application review criteria will include completeness of application, quality of essay, and high school achievements at both the academic

  • 4

  • Patina Network Community Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJuly 14, 2026

The Patina Network Community Scholarship Program aims to empower and support Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women and allies. Scholarship Details Supports AANHPI women and allies in New York State Open to undergraduate, trade school, and university students Focus on academic potential, financial need, and community engagement Eligibility

  • 5

  • Dorothy Dubois Walker Beach Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineAugust 31, 2026

Historic Huguenot Street promotes outstanding research and scholarship among students in such topical areas as decorative arts, Indigenous history and culture, the African American experience in the Hudson Valley, and Huguenot history and culture. The scholarships are offered to eligible undergraduate and graduate students in collaboration with Historic Huguenot Street and the Hasbrouck Family

  • 6

  • Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineJanuary 15, 2027

The Kavi Ohri Memorial Award is an annual scholarship for New York City high school seniors planning to pursue a music-related major in college. Named in honor of Kavi Ohri’s legacy in the music industry, the award recognizes students with a passion for music and mentorship, with preference for AAPI-identifying students, first-generation college students, and those with a history of mentoring

  • 7

  • The Arc New York Scholarships

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 13, 2027

Each year, The Arc New York presents scholarships and awards to individuals pursuing degrees in special education, physical or occupational therapy, or a field related to intellectual or other developmental disabilities, and those who go above and beyond to improve this field. Scholarship Details Annual scholarships available to students pursuing degrees related to intellectual and

  • 8

  • New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 27, 2027

The Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) provide high school students that are the top student(s) in their respective high school at the end of their junior year with a scholarship to attend an institution of higher education located in New York State. Each scholarship candidate must be eligible to graduate from a New York State high school by the end of the current school

  • 9

  • New York Water Environment Association Scholarships

  • Amount$12,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2027

NYWEA will serve the best interest of the public by promoting sustainable clean water quality management through science, education and training. NYWEA will advance the professional well being of our membership, provide opportunities to expand their knowledge and capabilities and cultivate a forum to enable them to play a vital role in shaping an environmental sound future. Today the Association

  • 10

  • Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

SRS Family Foundation is delighted to announce the ninth year of the Banyan College Scholarship for South Asian Americans. To date, 44 students have received the Banyan College Scholarship. These students belong to various South Asian communities in New York City and embody the spirit of the award. Scholarship Details Targeted at: New York City high school seniors Grant Amount: $5,000

  • 11

  • Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

The Joseph H. and Mildred C. McManus Scholarship is available to graduating seniors or graduates of high schools in Dutchess County. The scholarships shall be applied to tuition costs at accredited colleges or universities for a period not to exceed four years. Applicants must be a resident of Dutchess County who are graduating from, or have graduated from a Dutchess County High School.

  • 12

  • Zonta Club of Jamestown Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

Zonta is dedicated to achieving gender equality in education and supports fellowships and awards for women and girls pursuing education and careers in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Scholarship Details Multiple scholarships available annually, including: Mary Bargar Scholarship Nell Newton Scholarship Anne H. Crow Scholarship Verna

  • 13

  • The Polish Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

The Polish Scholarship Fund, Inc. was established to give financial assistance to students of Polish descent. Eligible applicants must be a full-time undergraduate student, must have lived for a minimum of two years in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, or Oswego counties, and must have been accepted for admission as a full-time student at any accredited college, university, or training

  • 14

  • TRSRM Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 27, 2027

The Hispanic/Latinx Scholarship is designed to support and empower high school seniors of Hispanic/Latinx heritage in the NY, NJ, and CT area who are pursuing higher education. This scholarship provides financial assistance to those who meet the specified criteria, including a cumulative GPA above 2.8, a minimum of 80 recorded hours of community service, and the intention to enroll as a full-time

  • 15

  • Latino Social Work Coalition Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2027

The Latino Social Work Coalition provides scholarships to Latino/x/e and bilingual students with significant economic need who are entering their 2nd or 3rd year pursuing a master’s degree in social work (or students either entering as advanced standing or pursuing a Ph.D or DSW). Eligible applicants must have ties to New York City. In addition to completing the application, applicants must

  • 16

  • New York Farm Bureau AG Youth Scholarship

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The mission of New York Farm Bureau is "Supporting today’s agricultural needs and creating member opportunities for tomorrow through advocacy and education." The forward looking NYFB vision is "The voice of New York agriculture that unites a diverse farm community and builds a stronger food system and rural economy." Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, volunteer organization financed and

  • 17

  • Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$6,832
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation awards annual college scholarships as inspiration to cancer patients and survivors in order that they may achieve their full potential in life. To be eligible to apply, all applicants must have had a cancer diagnosis prior to the age of 21. In addition to a cancer diagnosis, all applicants must be enrolled, or be planning to enroll, full time in an accredited

  • 18

  • Annual NYIPLEF Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineApril 2, 2027

NYIPLEF’s Scholarship provides funds to diverse law students currently enrolled in a J.D. at an accredited law school in the New York area (including Connecticut and New Jersey), in good academic standing, and demonstrating intent to engage in the full-time practice of intellectual property law. The scholarship is intended to be used by the law student for tuition and expenses related to

  • 19

  • WRA's Buzzi Water Resources Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineApril 10, 2027

The Buzzi Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior in the Delaware River Basin who demonstrates outstanding achievement, and is pursuing a field of study critical to water resources. Scholarship Details Annual scholarship award of $1,000 Intended for students pursuing a field of study related to water resources Awarded based on academic achievement, community

  • 20

  • Kazickas Family Foundation Art Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineApril 14, 2027

The Art Guild is pleased to offer the Kazickas Family Foundation Art Scholarships for graduating seniors who attend high school in Nassau County. Scholarships will be awarded to students who will pursue the visual arts following their high school graduation, and who have demonstrated their commitment to any of the visual arts. This includes, but is not limited to: drawing, painting, sculpture,

  • 21

  • DeNise Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2027

Strong emphasis in awarding the DeNise Scholarship Fund scholarships is placed on need, and that the applicants must be agriculturally oriented. These scholarships may be used in any recognized accredited institution of higher learning. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a 2- or 4-year accredited institution and major in the field of agriculture. Applicants must be residents of

  • 22

  • UNICO Scholarship Program

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2027

UNICO National is committed to promoting the positive image of Italian Americans and preserving Italian heritage and culture. The UNICO Foundation, Inc. proudly offers the Joseph L. Manganaro Memorial Scholarship for the academic year, valued at $10,000. This scholarship is designed for a high-achieving high school graduate who plans to attend a full-time accredited college, university, or

  • 23

  • APCF Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineApril 20, 2027

The Cathay Bank Foundation offers twenty $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors planning to attend college as full-time, degree-seeking students in the coming fall. These scholarships are aimed at supporting youth residing in Cathay Bank's business service territories in achieving their higher education aspirations. Scholarship Details Number of Scholarships: 20 Amount: $2,500 each

  • 24

  • Women's Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineApril 24, 2027

The WMGA Foundation has been supporting young women in their pursuit of higher education since 2001, awarding scholarships to over 115 recipients. These scholarships assist with tuition, room and board, incidental fees, and books, providing vital support for students with financial need and a connection to the game of golf. Scholarship Details Established in 2001 to support young women

  • 25

  • The FAB Scholars Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineApril 27, 2027

The FAB Scholars Spring Scholarship recognizes graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated resilience, ambition, and a commitment to building their future through education. We believe that environment and life experiences shape who we become but they do not limit what we can achieve. This scholarship supports students who are preparing to begin their college journey and who are ready to

What are New York scholarships?

New York scholarships are financial aid awards for students who either hold residence in New York or are attending school in New York. Most cover all of New York state, but some are specific to New York City; eligibility requirements, including applicants’ location, vary by scholarship, so it’s important to read all scholarship guidelines carefully before applying.

Unlike student loans, scholarships do not need to be paid back. Some scholarship awards even allow winners to allocate the money towards non-tuition expenses such as housing, food, and books. Given the high costs of attending college, students should apply to all the local scholarships they can in order to avoid student debt.

How to apply for New York scholarships

Applying for scholarships is easy with Scholarships.com. Simply sign up for a free account and input your demographic information to be matched with applicable scholarships, including local New York scholarships. From there, all you need to do is follow the step-by-step instructions in your matches’ descriptions to apply.

It’s important to remember that scholarship deadlines vary, as do eligibility requirements related to applicants’ current years in school. For this reason, you should begin scholarship searching as early as possible, ideally in your junior year of high school or earlier. You can sort your scholarship matches by deadline date to ensure you don’t miss out on any New York scholarship opportunities.

What are the best New York scholarships?

Because there are countless scholarships available to New York students, it’s best to narrow down your options as much as possible. The more specific a particular scholarship’s requirements are, the smaller the pool of people who can apply, so eligible students have a greater chance to win. Therefore the best New York scholarships will be the ones with the smallest applicant pools, such as those which target particular minority audiences.

The highly-specific Allwork Scholarship, for example, may be the best option for qualified students. To be eligible for this award, applicants must be attending an accredited New York college, be working towards their first degree in architecture, demonstrate financial need, excel academically, and be nominated by officials in their program. They must also submit an extensive portfolio and letters of recommendation.

Frequently asked questions about New York scholarships:

What are the best New York scholarships for high school students?

The best New York scholarships for any individual high school student will depend on several factors, including their gender, field of study, and school year. High school seniors in particular have thousands of scholarship opportunities available to them, so they should narrow their search by looking for the most specific awards possible– including scholarships local to New York.

For instance, The Race For Education organization’s Robert J. Frankel Scholarship is a highly-specific scholarship open to high school seniors residing in or planning to attend college in New York. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.85, demonstrated financial need, and a family involvement in the Thoroughbred horse industry. Worth $5,000, it is a fantastic low-competition option for eligible students.

What are the best New York scholarships for college students?

New York college students have plenty of options for scholarships, all with different criteria. Some of the best choices will be those based on applicants’ personal qualities, such as their field of study. You can use our Scholarship Directory to look for scholarships organized by any particular academic major.

For example, undergraduate students majoring in geology should look into the Angelo Tagliacozzo Memorial Geological Scholarship. Though this scholarship is open to students from any participating college in the U.S. Northeast, its other eligibility requirements are extremely specific. Criteria include financial need, academic achievement, and either undergraduate junior or undergraduate senior year classification.

There are also countless scholarships open to New York graduate students. The National Academy of Public Administration, for example, awards the Herbert Roback scholarship to graduate students majoring in public administration at select New York and D.C. metropolitan area institutions. This award’s specificity makes it a great opportunity for qualified students.

How do I find scholarships local to New York state?

Aside from signing up for a free account, you can use Scholarships.com’s Scholarship Directory to search for scholarships belonging to particular categories. To find scholarships for New York state residents, use our list of New York residence state scholarships. If you are a New York student but not a resident of the state, you can use our New York attendance state directory.

Are there scholarships local to New York City?

Most scholarships open to New York state residents will allow New York City residents to apply, but city residents can narrow their scope and increase their chances of winning even further by applying to scholarships localized to New York City alone.

For instance, college students in STEM programs who reside in New York City can apply to the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration STEM Scholarship. Worth $3,000, undergraduates and graduate students in STEM fields can apply by submitting a proposal for a new way to promote organ donations along with two letters of recommendation.

Do I have to have financial need to win a New York scholarship?

Many New York scholarships are based on financial need. These scholarships will usually require applicants to complete and submit the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal financial aid, it is always a good idea to submit the FAFSA; you are not required to take out any loans for which it determines you are eligible.

If you don’t have financial need, you can still win New York merit scholarships. For example, graduate students in environmental studies fields can apply for the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc. Founders Fund Scholarship, worth $5,000. It is open to students in New York and the surrounding areas, and it is completely merit-based with no consideration to financial need at all.