Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program for NEW Students

The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship (ESDHS) Program is a scholarship program of direct aid to attract and retain undergraduate students from a broad range of backgrounds to State University of New York campuses who have demonstrated high academic achievement and can demonstrate that they will contribute to the diversity of the student body.

Awards can be up to $3000 per year, divided between fall and spring semesters.

NEW students are required to:
1. Be U.S. citizens or permanent resident alien;
2. Be a New York State resident;
3. Fila a current FAFSA and NYS TAP application; (Even though financial need is not a requirement for this scholarship, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.
4. Have a high school GPA of 80 or better;
5. Be a part-time or full-time matriculated student;
6. In 600 words or less, please describe how you have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in your education. Demonstrate how you have engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your high school and/or local community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experiences. You must also demonstrate a commitment to how you will contribute to and enhance the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in your academic program and campus activities at SUNY Suffolk.
7. Preference will be given to candidates who are (self-disclosure is optional and not required for consideration): From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible); are first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree); have overcome adversity; are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans. Please describe briefly how any of the preference categories are applicable to you.

This scholarship programs 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 nondiscrimination laws. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.