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Financial Aid and Scholarships
Grant and Scholarship Programs

Merit Scholarships and Grants

ESF undergraduate merit scholarships are awarded to newly admitted first-year and transfer students based on academic performance. All accepted students are automatically considered for these awards so a scholarship application is not necessary. In most cases, if meeting the eligibility requirements for multiple scholarships or grants, students will only receive the individual scholarship or grant of the highest value.

SUNY ESF Presidential and National Scholarships

High school seniors with outstanding academic credentials can receive merit scholarships through ESF’s Presidential Scholarship Program or National Scholarship Program. In order to be considered for a Presidential or National Scholarship, students must submit the following no later than February 1:

  • SUNY ESF Admissions Application

  • Secondary school transcripts showing grades, rank in class, and if available, SAT or ACT scores.

Presidential Scholarships may provide up to $3,000 per year for New York State residents. National Scholarships may provide up to $8,000 per year for out-of-state residents. Annual award maximum amounts may vary based on available funding levels. Determination of scholarship selection and the specific amount will be based upon the student’s academic record, recommendations, activities, and requirements for their intended major. Awards are not guaranteed and may be impacted by other institutional aid awarded.

National Merit, National Achievement, and National Recognition Programs

SUNY ESF automatically will award Merit Scholarships to students who have been recognized as semifinalists or finalists in any of these three national scholarship competitions. Semifinalist or finalist status should be indicated on the records submitted for admission.

ESF Tuition Match Scholarships

Awarded to selected out-of-state first-year students in some years based on program status within the SUNY system and voluntary participation by ESF. Award amounts vary and are contingent on the annual ESF non-resident tuition rate and the established tuition rates at identified flag-ship institutions in the student's home states. Awards will automatically be awarded to selected residents of annually identified states in years in which ESF participates.

SUNY Tuition Match

ESF Mighty Oaks Scholarships

First-year out-of-state applicants may be selected for these scholarships. Determination of eligibility and specific amount will be based upon the student's academic record, recommendations, activities, and requirements for their intended major. Awards are not guaranteed and may be impacted by other institutional aid awarded. 

ESF 1911 Scholarships 

(Formerly ESF Asimov Scholarships)

ESF 1911 Scholarships provide funding to selected students which are intended to assist only with non-tuition expenses. First-year applicants from NY State may be eligible based upon the student's academic record, recommendations, activities, and requirements for their intended major. Awards are not guaranteed and may be impacted by other institutional aid awarded.

ESF Transfer Scholarships

Many transfer students qualify for Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships at ESF. These are valued at $1,500 per year. Proof of PTK honor society membership must be provided along with ESF’s application for admission.

Transfer applicants with outstanding academic credentials will be considered for ESF Presidential Scholarships of for New York State residents or ESF National Scholarships for out-of-state residents.

Haudenosaunee Scholar Awards

This prestigious four-year scholarship provides $5,000 per year for two Haudenosaunee students with strong potential as environmental leaders. Students are selected based on their high school or college academic records, leadership potential, and recommendations from teachers and community members. Scholarship eligibility also requires student citizenship in one of the historic Haudenosaunee nations and admission to full-time undergraduate study at SUNY-ESF. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (phone 315-470-6600) for additional scholarship information.

  • To be eligible a student must:
    • be an admitted first-year or transfer student;
    • be a certified citizen of one of the historic Haudenosaunee nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, or Tuscarora);
    • have continuously resided on a listed Haudenosaunee nation territory for a minimum of twelve (12) months immediately prior to enrollment at SUNY-ESF;
    • be in pursuit of his or her first bachelor's degree.
  • Terms of the Award:
  • Eligible Haudenosaunee Territories:
    • Akwesasne Mohawk
    • Kanatsiohareke Mohawk
    • Ganienke Mohawk
    • Kahnawake Mohawk
    • Kanesatake Mohawk
    • Tyendinaga Mohawk
    • Oil Spring Seneca
    • Tuscarora
    • Oneida
    • Oneida of the Thames (Ontario)
    • Onondaga
    • Allegany Seneca
    • Cattaraugus Seneca
    • Niagara Falls Seneca
    • Tonowanda Seneca
    • Six Nations Reserve (Canada)

Students interested in the Haudenosaunee Scholar Award Program should complete an application and send it to SUNY ESF’s Undergraduate Admissions Office for review. All information is confidential and used only to assess eligibility for the Haudenosaunee Scholar Award Program.

ESF Eustace B. Nifkin Scholarships

ESF awards Eustace B. Nifkin Scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students who are the children or grandchildren of ESF alumni (including alumni of the ESF Ranger School). Eligible students receive Legacy Scholarships worth $250 per semester for up to ten semesters of full-time undergraduate study at ESF. Scholarships are renewed each semester, dependent upon the student maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must indicate their alumni connection by completing the alumni question found in the College’s application for admission. Up to five Scholarship winners are selected each year. Financial need is not required for scholarship selection, but an applicant’s academic record and extracurricular activities will be taken into consideration.

Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships from the Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation, Inc. are awarded to undergraduate students majoring in select programs in the Chemical Engineering or other academic departments who are United States citizens or permanent residents. Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation for further information.

Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships for Graduate Students

Tuition Scholarships for graduate students are awarded as part of Gradaute or Research Project Assistantships by the Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies. Recipients must be certified by the Office of the Registrar as full-time students to receive a tuition scholarship. In most cases, graduate students with assistantships are considered full-time if enrolled in at least 9 credit hours each semester.

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants

ESF College Aid Grant

The College annually awards these need-based grants to first-year students who complete the FAFSA by February 1st. College Aid Grants can be renewed by maintaining a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average and completion of the FAFSA by the February 1st priority deadline each year.

Empire State Diversity Honors Program Matching Scholarship

Recipients of the Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship may be eligible for a matching award amount from this program.

State University Supplemental Tuition Assistance (SUSTA)

The College annually awards grants to students with need through the SUSTA Program. Interested students should complete a FAFSA and TAP Application.

ESF College Foundation Scholarships

All students who apply for financial aid will be reviewed for awards offered through the College Foundation based on academic merit as well as financial need.