SUNY ESF
Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship
The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program (ESDHSP) is designed to direct aid to undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion effects in their academic programs and activities.
Program Eligibility
To participate in the ESDHSP, candidates are required to:
- Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status,
- Be a New York Resident and
- Demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.
- Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities.
Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.
Preference will be given to candidates who are:
For low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.
The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state non discrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
How to Apply
To be considered for an Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship, students must submit to the Office Financial Aid a completed application and a brief essay of 600 words or less with the following:
"Please describe how you've engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your campus and/or local community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, student's potential to contribute to enhancing diversity efforts in their academic programs at SUNY and campus communities; experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers."
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by October 31 each academic year.
Awards and Funding
Scholarship distribution are pending annual state budget approval. While scholarships have been awarded for many years, funding may not be guaranteed every year.
Annual award amounts will vary based on the funding allocations and number of eligible applicants. Recipients of Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarships may also receive a corresponding institutional matching award.