Scholarships

Current Students can apply for endowed scholarships from Nov. 15 to Feb 1.

New Students starting in Fall 2025 can apply for endowed scholarship from Dec.15 until March 1.

SUNY Cortland offers a wide range of scholarships funded by the Cortland College Foundation, SUNY Cortland Alumni Association, the university and other groups. These awards are made possible by the generous donations of alumni, faculty, staff, emeriti, philanthropic groups, corporations and friends of the university.

Each year, SUNY Cortland provides more than $1 million in scholarship assistance to more than 1,000 students. The financial aspects of scholarships are governed by rules and regulations administered by the Financial Aid Office.

View scholarships

New students starting in Fall 2025 who earn an award will be notified prior to the May 1 admission deposit deadline. To view scholarship opportunities, students must be accepted and they must log in to myRedDragon.

Scholarship Types

Endowed Scholarships: Students May Apply

Students may apply online for select scholarships that are based on academic performance, financial need or other criteria determined by donors. Visit the How to Apply page for application instructions.

Merit Scholarships: Automatic Selection

These institutional scholarships are extremely competitive and awarded to SUNY Cortland’s top applicants.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum scholarship criteria listed below does not guarantee students will earn an award, but that they will be considered for review.

Students must meet the unweighted grade point average and demonstrate rigor in their coursework as well as strong performance in main subject areas such as English, social studies, math, science and foreign language.

There is no separate application for merit scholarships; students are considered for these awards after they apply and all materials are received. Students who earn a merit scholarship are notified at the time of admission in their acceptance letter.

President’s Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per year
Minimum criteria: 95 unweighted GPA plus rigorous coursework and strong performance in main subject areas
Renewability: Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average and live on campus to receive the award.

Merit Scholarship

Amount: $3,300 per year
Minimum criteria: 93 unweighted GPA plus rigorous coursework and strong performance in main subject areas
Renewability: Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average and live on campus to receive the award.

Dean’s Scholarship

Amount: $2,500 per year
Minimum criteria: 93 unweighted GPA plus rigorous coursework and strong performance in main subject areas
Renewability: Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average and live on campus to receive the award.

Cortland College Foundation 21st Century Fund

Amount: $1,000 per year
Minimum criteria: 90 - 93 unweighted GPA plus rigorous coursework and strong performance in main subject areas
Renewability: This scholarship is renewable for up to four years and may remain with the same student as long as they continue to meet the criteria. Recipients must remain a full-time student and maintain a 2.8 grade point average.

Other Awards: Automatic Selection

SUNY Cortland automatically considers students for some financial awards in addition to academic merit scholarships. No supplemental application is required. These awards include:

SUNY Cortland Future New Yorker Grant
SUNY Cortland International Student Grant
SUNY Cortland Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

New York State Excelsior Scholarship

SUNY Cortland is proud to participate in this program, which offers free tuition to eligible students from middle-class families in New York state.

Read more about the Excelsior Scholarship

Study Abroad Scholarships

SUNY Cortland awards thousands of dollars in study abroad scholarships each year.

Read more about study abroad scholarships

Non SUNY Cortland Scholarships

There are external and private scholarship funds available to students of all qualifications, abilities and interests. These external scholarships may be provided by private donors, foundations, businesses and many other sources outside of the university.