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First-Year Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, Fredonia offers approximately $10 million in merit and need-based scholarships to academically-qualified new and returning students.

First-Year Scholarships and Criteria for Accepted Students

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.

The Office of Admissions awards the following scholarships to full-time, first year students, at time of acceptance.

President's Award of Excellence - renewable $6,000/year
High School Average 95
Campus Residency Requirement Yes
Required GPA for Renewal 3.2
Maximum Years of Eligibility 4
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

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 weighted 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.

In order to receive this tuition reduction, students must submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring.

Fredonia Scholar Award - renewable $4,500/year
High School Average 93
Campus Residency Required Yes
Required GPA for Renewal 3.0
Maximum Years of Eligibility 4
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

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 weighted 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.

In order to receive this tuition reduction, students must submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring.

True Blue Scholar Award - renewable $2,500/year
High School Average 85
Campus Residency Required Yes
Required GPA for Renewal 2.8
Maximum Years of Eligibility 4
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

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 weighted 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. 

In order to receive this tuition reduction, students must submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring.

Good Neighbor Award (PA & OH) - renewable $6,000/year
Campus Residency Required No
Required GPA for Renewal Good academic standing
Maximum Years of Eligibility 4
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

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 (renewable annually, 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 4 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.

In order to receive this tuition reduction, students must submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring.

President's Out Of State Scholar Award - renewable $5,000/year
High School or Transfer GPA Merit
Campus Residency Required No
Required GPA for Renewal 2.8
Maximum Years of Eligibility 4
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

(OH and PA students, see the Good Neighbor Award. The President's Out of State Scholar Award is for students in states other than OH, PA and NY.)

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 first-year or transfers 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 first-year or transfer students, 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/transfer grades. There is no separate application required. Students will be informed of the award in writing shortly after being admitted.

In order to receive this tuition reduction, students must submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Accepted First-Year Students

The following First-Year scholarship opportunities may require a separate scholarship application to a specific grant program or an academic department.

Honors Program Scholarship - one-time $1,500 ($375 per semester, for four semesters)
High School Average 92
Campus Residency Requirement No
Required GPA for Transfer Students 3.3 and 15 transferable credits
Maximum Eligibility 4 semesters
Deposit Deadine June 1 for Fall, Dec 1 for Spring

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.

Students accepted into the Honors Program must also submit a deposit by June 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring to receive this scholarship.

Yunghans-Mirabelli Science Achievement Award - renewable $8,000/year 

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. Available to Biology and Molecular Genetics 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. 

James J. Kaminski Scholarship Endowment - renewable $8,000/year

This $8,000 scholarship will be offered to a limited number of 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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

Kelly Family Scholarship Endowment - renewable $5,000/year

This $5,000 scholarship will be offered to a limted number of 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. 

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

Keeper of the Dream Scholarship - renewable $4,000/year

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. To apply for this scholarship, please visit FREDscholar.

Fredonia Commuter Scholar Award - renewable $1,000/year

This $1,000 renewable award is designed for first-year students who plan on living at home, who have received one of the following scholarships: President's Award for Excellence, Fredonia Scholar Award, or the True Blue Scholar Award, AND you are planning on living at home.

If you were awarded one of the above scholarhips and NOT living on campus, the Commuter Scholarship will replace any of the above awards.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@fredonia.edu with your name and Fredonia ID. 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.

Carnahan-Jackson Scholarship - one-time $4,000

This scholarship is a one-time $4,000 award offered to incoming first-year students 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. 

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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 audition prior to March 1 for fall semester scholarship consideration. Questions regarding music scholarships should be directed to the Dean of the School of Music, Mason Hall, Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

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.

The Admissions Office will award this scholarship on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Students do not directly apply for this scholarship.

FastWEB (web based private scholarship search)

FastWEB is the largest and most complete scholarship search on the Internet. It provides access to a searchable database of private scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student loans. Used by colleges across the United States, fastWEB is now available at www.fastweb.com courtesy of Fredonia and fastWEB.com, L.L.C.

Search FREDscholar for Departmental Scholarships/Awards

FREDscholar is Fredonia's Scholarship Matching Program.

Visit FREDscholar

Scholarships are awarded to incoming students and continuing students who demonstrate outstanding academic aptitude, financial need and/or personal qualifications, and who have been recommended by the College Scholarship Committee. Separate applications are not required, qualified students are automatically considered for these scholarships and awards based on pre-established criteria.

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