First-Year Scholarship Opportunities
In order to be considered for Fredonia scholarships, all First-time First-Year applicants must complete the admission application process (complete and submit either a SUNY Application or The Common Application).
Scholarship recipients will be notified of awards on a rolling basis from time of acceptance until June 1. Many of the scholarships require students to live on campus. If SAT scores are required, the score used is the math and critical reading sections combined. Such specific requirements will be noted in each description below.
Scholarships Awarded to First-Year and Minimum Criteria for Consideration - for Fall 2024 and beyond
President's Award of Excellence
The President’s Award of Excellence is a renewable $6,000 merit-based scholarship awarded to entering first-year students who plan to enroll full-time and live on campus. The minimum requirement for consideration is a 95 unweighted high school average, at the time of acceptance. Once enrolled, the student must maintain full-time status, achieve a minimum 3.2 GPA to retain this award and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, room and board, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc.
Fredonia Scholar Award
The Fredonia Scholar Award is a renewable $4,500 merit-based award to entering first-year students who plan to enroll full-time and live on campus. Minimum qualifications for this merit award are a 93 unweighted high school average. Once enrolled the student must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA to retain this award, maintain full-time status, and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, room and board, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc.
True Blue Scholar Award
This is a renewable $2,500 scholarship awarded to entering first-year students who plan to enroll full-time and live on campus. Minimum qualifications for this merit award are an 85 unweighted high school average. Once enrolled the student must achieve a minimum 2.8 GPA to retain this award, maintain full-time status and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, room and board, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc.
Honors Program Scholarship
This $1,500 one-time ($375 per semester, for four semesters) Honors Program scholarship is designed for full-time students who are invited to join the honors program in the fall of their first year. First Year students with a 92 or better HS Average are invited to apply and instructed to write an essay. Transfer students with a 3.3 cumulative GPA or better AND at least 15 transferrable credits, will also be invited to apply. Essays are reviewed by the Honors Program Director and successful candidates are then invited to join the Honors Program and offered the one-time scholarship of $1,500. This scholarship is limited and has a deadline of mid February each year, so students accepted after that might be able to apply into the Honors Program, but without the scholarship opportunity. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, room and board, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc. Students are encouraged to contact the Honors Program Director for specific renewal criteria.
Yunghans-Mirabelli Science Achievement Award
This $8,000 scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first-year student in the Fall. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 3.25 GPA and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. Available to Biology and Molecular Genetics majors. Minimum qualifications for consideration are a 92% unweighted high school average, 1,250 SAT or 28 ACT, along with strong Regents test scores in both Science and Math. Summer research opportunities may also be available.
James J. Kaminski Scholarship Endowment
This $8,000 scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first-year student in the Fall. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 3.25 GPA and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. Available to Bio-Chemistry and Chemistry majors. Minimum qualifications for consideration are a 92% unweighted high school average, along with strong Regents test scores in both Science and Math. Summer research opportunities may also be available.
Kelly Family Scholarship Endowment
This $5,000 scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first-year student in the Fall. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 3.25 GPA and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. Available to Bio-Chemistry and Chemistry majors. Minimum qualifications for consideration are a 92% unweighted high school average, 1,250 SAT or 28 ACT, along with strong Regents test scores in both Science and Math. Summer research opportunities may also be available.
Keeper of the Dream Scholarship
Renewable $4,000 award given to high school students who graduate in the top 10% of their class. Minimum requirements are a 87 unweighted high school average, involvement in multicultural activities, and demonstration of leadership and community service, as well as a commitment to pluralism. Once the student is enrolled they must achieve a minimum of 3.0 GPA to retain this award. A separate application and essay is required. For more information contact the Intercultural Center at 716-673-3398.
Fredonia Commuter Scholar Award
This $1,000 renewable award is designed for first-year students who plan on living at home. Minimum qualifications for this merit award are an 85 unweighted high school average. If you received either the: President's Award for Excellence, Fredonia Scholar Award, or the Ture Blue Scholar Award, and you are planning on living at home, please contact the Financial Aid Office. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc. Once enrolled the student must achieve a minimum 2.8 GPA to retain this award.
Good Neighbor Award
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, and updated for Fall 2024, residents of Ohio and Pennsylvania are eligible for a $6,000 Good Neighbor Award (equally distributed $3,000 each semester) to reduce their out-of-state tuition. This award is for all residents in those two states or those who attend their last two years of High School in OH or PA who do not qualify for in-state tuition in New York. This award is renewable for all four years at Fredonia so long as you stay in good academic standing, enroll as a full-time student, and maintain residence outside of New York State.
President's Out Of State Scholar Award (OH and PA, see the Good Neighbor Award)
This limited scholarship is a renewable $5,000 per year award (equally distributed $2,500 each semester) offered to non New York State residents.
Incoming non-New York state residents admitted as undergraduate freshman are eligible based on academic merit. Students are automatically reviewed for this merit based award. In order to receive this award, students are required to enroll as full-time students and maintain residence outside of New York State.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years for entering freshman, provided the student maintains the required 2.8 GPA, makes normal academic progress toward graduation, maintains a record of good student conduct, and stays enrolled full-time. This scholarship is targeted to support "non-tuition" related expenses of the recipient including fees, room and board, books, personal, travel, along with other expenses related to special experiences like study abroad, etc.
Selection: The Office of Admissions will choose the award recipients based on their admissions application, and high school grades. There is no separate application required. Students will be informed of the award in writing shortly after being admitted.
School of Music Scholarships
School of Music Scholarships are awarded to qualified new students. Factors considered in awarding scholarships are music talent and accomplishments, academic achievement, and service to the School of Music. Prospective students must also audition prior to March 15 for fall semester scholarship consideration. Questions regarding music scholarships should be directed to Director, School of Music, Mason Hall, Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063.
Carnahan-Jackson Scholarship
This scholarship is a one-time $4,000 award offered to incoming freshman who demonstrate academic promise with preference given to qualified students from the Jamestown, NY area. Students who have a minimum unweighted high school average of 92 are eligible.
Alumni Scholarships
The Fredonia Alumni Association awards scholarships yearly to students who are children or grandchildren of Fredonia Alumni. Interested persons should contact the Alumni Affairs Office at 716-673-3553 for more information or visit www.fredonia.edu/alumni/alumni-association-scholarships
Costello Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 3.0 GPA and must remain in an approved science major. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Dennis and Jan Hefner Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. Available to those who are academically high achieving with high financial need. This award is renewable for up to three additional years provided that the student maintains at least a 3.0 GPA. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Evelyn Lawson Coleman President’s Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. Available to those who have a 95% or higher high school average and high financial need. This award is renewable provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 GPA. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
FSA President’s Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. Available to those who are academically high achieving. This award is renewable provided that the student maintains at least a 2.80 GPA and is enrolled full-time. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Maytum Family President's Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. Available to those who have a 95% or higher high school average. This award is renewable provided that the student maintains at least a 2.8 GPA. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Fredonia FSA Scholarship Award
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 2.8 GPA, living in a university residence hall/townhouse who also maintain a full board meal plan. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Charles Notaro Family Scholarship
This scholarship will be offered to students entering as a first year student in the Fall who graduate from Fredonia High School. This scholarship is based on merit and financial need. This award is renewable up to three additional years for a full-time student maintaining a 3.25 GPA. Awarded by the Admissions Office.
Private Scholarships
You must search for private scholarships on your own, but here is a list of resources to get you started. Check with any public library for more scholarship listings.
FastWEB (web based private scholarship search)
is the largest and most complete scholarship search on the Internet. It provides access to a searchable database of over 400,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student loans. Used by colleges across the United States, fastWEB is now available to you FREE through the World Wide Web, courtesy of Fredonia and fastWEB.com, L.L.C.