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How It Works

You may not be sure what is next for you after high school graduation, but you know you want to be as free from student debt and financially stable as possible as you enter adulthood. Say Yes is here to ensure you have the opportunity to secure scholarship dollars toward a college degree or certificate. Hundreds of Syracuse students who have walked similar paths as you have used Say Yes scholarships and are now succeeding in stable, high-paying jobs.

Scholarships

Eligible graduates of the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse charter schools can receive scholarships to any State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) school to which they are admitted. In addition, scholarships are available to more than 100 private colleges and universities based on financial eligibility. Additional funding opportunities are available in the form of opportunity and choice grants. Click here to learn more about the types of scholarships and their eligibility.

Student Responsibilities

To remain eligible, you will need to complete a FAFSA application and a New York State TAP application (if attending a college in New York State) each year and complete the financial aid process at their college. You must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. For Say Yes, this is defined as successfully completing a minimum of 12 credit hours a semester and maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or better.

What happens if a student does not meet the student responsibilities?

Your academic record will be reviewed at the end of each semester. If you complete less than 12 credit hours in any given semester, or do not have a 2.0 GPA, you can make up for it by taking additional credits in the following semester and/or complete the semester with a GPA of 2.0 or better.

If you have not completed the required 12 credit hours and do not have a 2.0 or better for 2 consecutive semesters, you will not be eligible for Say Yes awards the following semester.

Students who do not meet the standards of academic progress at the end of an academic year can enroll over the summer to make up their deficiencies. Remember that no Say Yes funding is available to you over the summer.

Questions?

If you have scholarship questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t find the answers you need there, get in touch – the Say Yes staff is happy to help!

Dana Lyons-Canty
Phone: 315-883-5555
Email: dlyons@sayyessyracuse.org

Contact Us

Are you inspired by the goals and approach of Say Yes or have questions about scholarships? We invite you to subscribe to our mailing list, set an appointment, or reach out to and learn more about how you can get involved.

Ahmeed Turner, Executive Director

Dana Lyons-Canty, Officer, Scholarship and Student Support