Types of Scholarships

SUNY/CUNY Tuition Scholarships for eligible students accepted to Say Yes Syracuse partner SUNY/CUNY colleges and universities cover the tuition balance that remains after state, federal and tuition-specific institutional aid are subtracted.

• Tuition does not include the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies.
• If state, federal and tuition-specific institutional aid covers the cost of tuition, no Say Yes Syracuse SUNY/CUNY Tuition Scholarship will be needed and therefore will not be disbursed.
• Say Yes Syracuse does not consider family income when determining scholarship disbursements.
• Students and families should not expect a zero balance for the total costs to attend.

Private College Tuition Scholarships for eligible students accepted to a Say Yes Syracuse partner private college or university with an annual family income of $75,000 or less, cover the tuition balance that remains after state, federal and tuition-specific institutional aid are subtracted.

• Tuition does not include the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies.
• Some private institutions may provide additional scholarship aid to be used for the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies.
• Some private institutions may have different income restrictions and consider families with an annual family income of more than $75,000.
• Students and families should not expect a zero balance for the total costs to attend.

Please note: Say Yes Syracuse partner private colleges and universities are the primary source of scholarship funding for eligible students attending their institutions. The determination of the actual scholarship will be made by the Say Yes Syracuse partner private colleges and universities at their discretion based on their institution income restrictions and policies. Please contact the Say Yes Syracuse partner private colleges and universities directly for additional eligibility information.

SUNY/CUNY Opportunity Grants for eligible students accepted to Say Yes Syracuse partner SUNY/CUNY colleges and universities provide up to $3,000 per year to be used for the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies. Eligible SUNY/CUNY students must:

• Reside on campus, in campus affiliated housing or apartments or must show proof of a lease.
• Say Yes Syracuse does not consider family income when determining scholarship disbursements.

Please note: Students cannot apply for a SUNY/CUNY Opportunity Grant. The grants are proactively administered.

Private College Choice Grants for eligible students accepted to Say Yes Syracuse partner private colleges and universities provide up to $5,000 per year.

• Eligible students with annual family income over $75,000 may be considered for a Private College Choice Grant.
• Private College Choice Grants when combined with other state, federal or tuition-specific institutional aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
• Say Yes Syracuse does not consider family income when determining scholarship disbursements.

Please note: Students cannot apply for a Private College Choice Grant. The grants are proactively administered.

Lincoln University Matching Choice Grants for eligible students accepted to Lincoln University provide $10,000 per year to be used for the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies. Lincoln University Matching Choice Grants are comprised of a $5,000 Say Yes Syracuse SUNY/CUNY Opportunity Grant which is matched with $5,000 provided by Lincoln University. There are no family income restrictions to be eligible for this particular grant opportunity. Lincoln University is a Historically Black University College.

Please note: Students cannot apply for a Lincoln University Matching Choice Grant. The grants are proactively administered.

OCC Preferred Partners Program scholarships for eligible students accepted to OCC provide $2,500 per semester (up to four consecutive semesters) to be used for the cost of room, board, fees, books or supplies. OCC Preferred Partners Program scholarships are comprised of a $1,500 Say Yes Syracuse SUNY/CUNY Opportunity Grant which is matched with $1,000 provided by the OCC Housing Development Corporation. Eligible OCC students must:

• Receive a combination of New York State TAP grants and Federal Pell grants that cover tuition
• Reside on campus or in campus affiliated housing or apartments
• Be a full-time student

Please note: Students cannot apply for an OCC Preferred Partners Program scholarship. The scholarships are proactively administered.