Scholarships

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.

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

First-Year Students
Amount: $1,000 per year ($500 per semester)
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.

Transfer Students
Amount: $1,000 per year ($500 per semester)
Minimum criteria: Overall college GPA between 3.4 and 3.7. Number of credit hours completed may also be considered.
Renewability: The scholarship is renewable with the same student as long as they continue to meet the criteria. Students must remain a full-time student, meet curricular requirements for degree completion and maintain a 2.8 grade point average.

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

SUNY Tuition Match 

SUNY Cortland participates in the State University of New York's tuition matching program for select undergraduate students through the university's Future New Yorker Grant. 

The university matches in-state tuition for flagship campuses from eight states, with an annual award not to exceed $7,500 in total. Learn more about SUNY Tuition Match. 

SUNY Cortland Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

The SUNY Cortland Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship was established to recognize outstanding students transferring into SUNY Cortland who have been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. It is worth $500 per semester ($1,000 per academic year). Availability and renewal is based on funding.

To earn this scholarship, students must:

• be a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for transfer students
• enroll at SUNY Cortland with junior-level status
• demonstrate high academic achievement (minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA)
• notify the Admissions Office of their membership in Phi Theta Kappa

To renew this scholarship, students must: 

• maintain full-time enrollment
• remain matriculated at SUNY Cortland
• earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher
• maintain satisfactory academic progress per the university’s published Federal Good Academic Standing guidelines
• this scholarship is renewable for a maximum of four academic years (eight academic semesters excluding summer semesters). The actual number of terms is based on class level (first-year, sophomore, etc.) at the time of the initial award.

Interested students must submit a copy of their Phi Theta Kappa induction certificate.

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

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.

Current SUNY Cortland students and high school students thinking about attending college have a variety of resources to explore in search of outside scholarships (i.e. non- SUNY Cortland funded) to assist them in making college more affordable.

In general, all students should start the scholarship search on a state and local level first before searching nationally.  Your best chance of earning an outside scholarship will be through those resources closest to you.  Start with your employer(s) and your parent's employer(s) for tuition benefits and scholarships.  Check any local community foundations, clubs, memberships, unions, churches, and organizations to which you and your parents belong. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

All scholarships received must be counted toward the student financial aid offer. Students are required to notify the SUNY Cortland Student Accounts Office of any scholarships they have received. Be aware that scholarships and/or awards may impact your previously awarded financial aid and awards may be adjusted. 

Scholarship Search Engines

There are a variety of websites that provide a search tool to help you find scholarship opportunities. Many offer free online searches so beware of any websites that require payment to find scholarships for you, most of them are scams. For more information on scholarship scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Scholarship Scam page