The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program

The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program (ESDHSP), offered by the State University of New York (SUNY) and the Farmingdale College Foundation, is designed to direct aid to undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and activities.

Application is now open! The deadline to apply is September 12th.

Program Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the ESDHSP, candidates are required to:

• Be enrolled in a degree program and have demonstrated high academic achievement (3.0 average),
• Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status,
• Be a New York State resident,
• Demonstrates how they overcame a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education,
• Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities.

Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. All recipients should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

From a low-income background (e.g. Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps Alumni, or are veterans.

Please note that no single indicator will form the sole basis for the award. Each application will be evaluated on its own merit.

The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and are consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A completed and signed application.
• An essay in 600 words or less "Please describe how you've engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your campus and/or local community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, students potential to contribute to enhancing diversity efforts in their academic programs at SUNY and campus communities; experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers".

This scholarship is for one academic year, to be split between the fall and spring semester. Students may be considered for a following year, based on funding availability and maintaining good academic standing. The maximum student award available under this program is one-half the student's cost of attendance or $3,000, whichever is less.