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How To Apply

We are here to help you through the application process – you don’t have to do it alone. Taking the small amount of time to apply can set you up for a successful future.

Application Steps

To apply for a Say Yes Syracuse scholarship, you must complete the following steps:

1. Enroll as a Full-time student at a Say Yes partner college.

You must apply and be admitted to a Say Yes partner college to be considered for a Say Yes Scholarship. You must attend the college full-time (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester unless otherwise indicated by the college or university) to be eligible for a Say Yes Scholarship. It is important that you work closely with your high school guidance counselor to ensure that you have taken appropriate courses, standardized tests (SATs and ACTs), and meet all college admission requirements and deadlines.

Check out our College Partner Map here.

  • Students with a documented 504 Plan and IEP status: Contact the Say Yes Syracuse office for further information regarding eligibility and requirements.

2. Apply for Financial Aid

You must apply and be eligible for financial aid at Say Yes colleges prior to every year you attend college. Please keep in mind that colleges may have different deadlines and forms to complete. All students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and a New York State TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) application.

Some private colleges, such as Syracuse University, also require that students complete a CSS Financial Aid Profile. Say Yes Tuition Scholarships are considered “last dollar scholarships” and can only be determined after a student has applied for financial aid at the college they are considering.

3. Complete a Say Yes Student application

When you know which college or university you will be attending, you must create an account in our system.

Say Yes staff will then determine each student’s Say Yes Scholarship and ensure that the student is processed in time for the fall semester. Award disbursements (payments) are made after the start of fall and spring semesters and are paid directly to the college.

When to apply?

You must adhere to Say Yes Syracuse’s important deadlines.

Eligible students who decide not to go to college right after graduation remain eligible for a Say Yes Scholarship for one academic year after their high school graduation. Therefore, a student who graduated in June 2020 was still eligible if he/she enrolled in college by September 2021.

Do I have to do anything else?

All students who receive a Say Yes Scholarship must maintain their Student Responsibilities to Say Yes to EducationStudent Responsibilities

Important Note About Your Application

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. If you are over 18 and would like the status of your application shared with a parent or guardian, you must choose to release the information at the time you apply.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Say Yes Syracuse at ahturner@sayyessyracuse.org. Please keep a copy of the email for your records. Thank you.

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