When paying for college feels overwhelming, scholarships can help you ease that burden. These funds can pay for college tuition and other education-related costs, like lab fees, transportation, and books. It doesn’t matter if you are planning to study something common like STEM or arts or something more niche like aviation or music therapy; there are numerous scholarship opportunities for high school students for their diverse interests. Apart from scholarships for academic programs, there are also some that you can use to fund community service projects or leadership initiatives.
Best of all, unlike education loans, you don’t need to pay back the scholarship amount, which means you don’t need to worry about debts after graduation. It recognizes your talents in academics and extracurriculars and awards you for them. If you are someone from a low-income household, scholarships not only make it possible for you to attend college and pay for it, but they also allow you to focus on your education without being compelled to take many part-time shifts.
Why look at scholarships in NYC?
As a high school student in New York City, you’re at a big advantage. It is home to major education systems like the City University of New York and the State University of New York, along with several nonprofits and foundations that want to support local students. Besides, NYC is a very diverse city with scholarship options available for students who want to become pilots, engineers, healthcare workers, or designers; community leaders; or take up any other profession.
High school students should start by exploring opportunities tied directly to their specific borough or even their neighborhood, such as grants funded by local businesses, community centers, or city-based professional groups. It is also helpful to tap into your school counselor’s resources to find city-specific funding aimed at your intended career path, first-generation college students, or awards designed to help cover the high cost of living for residents planning to stay in the city for their degree.
Below are 15 NYC scholarships for high school students who are economically disadvantaged, come from underserved communities, are first-generation college students, or once thought higher education wasn’t within reach.
15 NYC Scholarships for High School Students
1. Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors
Scholarship Amount: Up to $10,000
Number of scholarships: 40
Winner Announcement: Typically in November
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: High school seniors with plans to enroll in two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school within one year of high school graduation; must demonstrate significant financial need (applicants typically need to be Pell Grant-eligible); minimum 2.75 GPA
Sallie Mae partners with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to provide this scholarship that supports students in completing higher education without worrying about a lack of finances. It specifically helps students who come from marginalized or underserved communities. As of 2021, there are more than 1,100 students who have received scholarships, which have included high school, college, and graduate students. Past high school recipients of the scholarship have gone on to pursue degrees in fields such as psychology, biology, music business, finance, criminal justice, and many more.
2. Milken Scholars Program
Scholarship Amount: $2,000 for each of the four years of college plus $2,000 to help fund graduate school or find a job after completing undergraduate studies
Number of scholarships: About 600 students from 100+ high schools
Winner Announcement: June 9
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students from Los Angeles County, New York City, or Washington, D.C., who are US citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients; have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.6, or 90 percent; and can secure admission to a four-year college or university before the scholarship results are announced; SAT superscore minimum of 1350 OR ACT Composite superscore minimum of 29 OR AP exam(s) with minimum score(s) of 3 OR on track to earn IB Diploma OR on track to earn Associate degree by high school graduation
The Milken Scholars Program aims to support you in your educational journey, helping you fund your move from high school to college and then graduate school. It connects you to other scholars through dinner galas and annual summits where you have the opportunity to network with past recipients who can guide you for college and diverse career paths. As a participant, you are also encouraged to participate in community service during your school holidays. To become a scholar, you should demonstrate a passion for community service and strong financial need.
3. The Dedalus Foundation High School Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
Number of scholarships: 10
Winner Announcement: Late Spring (Typically May, coinciding with the winner exhibition)
Application Deadline: April 23
Eligibility: Graduating seniors from New York City public or charter high schools who intend to further their studies in fine arts or art history at an accredited college, university, or art school
The Dedalus Foundation High School Scholarship is designed to support your college transition by rewarding your excellence in fine arts or art history across any artistic medium. To apply, you will compile an eight-image portfolio of your artwork and draft a brief artist statement explaining your creative process. You will also have the opportunity to record a video tour of your personal sketchbook, showcasing your raw, in-progress ideas to the judges. If selected, you will prepare your physical pieces for display and attend a celebratory artist reception. The program’s most unique feature is that you get to publicly debut your winning art in a professionally curated exhibition at a prominent Chelsea art gallery.
4. The FAB Scholars Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Number of scholarships: Typically 1 awarded annually
Winner Announcement: May 15
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Residents of New York City and high school seniors entering college in the upcoming Fall. Students must also demonstrate financial need (FAFSA submission required) and show a strong commitment to personal growth, leadership, and overcoming life challenges.
As a FAB Scholar, you will enter a mentorship program dedicated to supporting your transition to higher education. The program covers essential topics like college planning, career exploration, and personal resilience. Throughout your time, you will participate in key activities, including regular one-on-one mentorship sessions, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and targeted goal-setting exercises. Additionally, you will receive personalized guidance to help navigate the academic and financial challenges of college life. The program grants you access to the FAB Scholars Care Collective, which prioritizes your self-care and mental well-being, along with exclusive insights from the foundation’s “Dream to Evolve” podcast.
5. NYSID Pre-College Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Amount: Varies based on the donations received each year
Number of scholarships: Approximately 50 students
Winner Announcement: June 12
Application Deadline: Typically, Spring
Eligibility: High school students with financial needs or from marginalized communities
If you are a high school student curious about interior design, the NYSID Pre-College Scholarship Fund can cover your tuition for their summer programs. You will get hands-on experience drafting floor plans and designing spaces under the guidance of working professionals. A uniquely defining feature of this scholarship is its lack of a traditional minimum GPA requirement. Instead, the review committee heavily prioritizes your demonstrated financial need and the strength of your personal essay. The fund actively targets students from marginalized communities so you can build a practical portfolio and earn college credit regardless of your background. Would you like me to look up the exact online and in-person dates for the upcoming sessions.
6. Ascend Educational Fund Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 to $20,000 per recipient
Number of scholarships: Up to 20 recipients annually
Winner Announcement: Mid-May
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Applicants must be born outside the U.S. or have two parents born outside the U.S. Students must be graduating seniors at a high school in one of the five boroughs of New York City, hold a minimum 2.5 GPA, and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited public or private college or university
If you are an immigrant or the child of immigrants, the Ascend Educational Fund Scholarship is designed to help you access higher education. The program provides financial support for your journey to a public or private college, recognizing the hard work involved in the immigrant experience. The program features absolute inclusivity, as you can apply regardless of your ethnicity, national origin, or legal immigration status. Beyond receiving financial aid, you also gain access to a dedicated professional network through the fund’s built-in mentorship requirements. This ensures you have ongoing guidance and a strong support system as you navigate your college years and prepare for your future career.
7. Walter A. Hunt, Jr. Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $10,000 per year for two years (totaling $20,000 for your freshman and sophomore years)
Number of scholarships: Typically 1 to 2 scholarships are awarded annually
Winner Announcement: 6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline
Application Deadline: May 26
Eligibility: Applicants must be current New York City public high school seniors (including charter and home-schooled students; private or parochial students are ineligible) who have been accepted into a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture program at a NAAB-accredited School of Architecture in the U.S.
If you are a student interested in architecture graduating from a New York City public school, this scholarship is designed to fund your early college education. The program aims to support your studies by supplementing your tuition and related costs during your freshman and sophomore years. To participate, you must be accepted into a five-year Bachelor of Architecture program at a NAAB-accredited institution. A unique feature of this award is that it goes beyond financial assistance by offering you direct mentoring opportunities with established architecture professionals. Furthermore, its strict focus on public and charter school seniors makes it a highly specialized resource tailored to your specific educational background.
8. New Visions Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $20,000 divided over the four years of college
Number of scholarships: 10–15 recipients annually
Winner Announcement: Typically announced in late Spring
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Graduating seniors in one of New Visions’ partner high schools within the five boroughs of New York City; planning to enroll full-time to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university; demonstrate financial need (the vast majority of recipients are first-generation college students)
For those high school students who have a good academic track record, this scholarship program makes it possible for you to study in your dream college by helping you fund the cost of attending the program. The New Visions Scholarship particularly gives preference to students who will be the first in their families to attend college. In addition to academics, the program is also looking for aspects such as community engagement, leadership, and financial need when selecting the winners. To date, the program has funded over $3.4 million since 2009.
9. LiveOnNY Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 per student
Number of scholarships: Up to 10
Winner Announcement: Early June
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Rising high school students who have been accepted to college or professional certification programs in health and human services programs and live in one of the following cities: New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Rockland; must demonstrate financial need [Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study or Direct Subsidized Loans / Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)]
The LiveOnNY Foundation is determined to support students with financial needs, those who were given Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, or Direct Subsidized Loans, to study healthcare or human services. As an organ procurement organization, LiveOnNY particularly provides scholarships to children or dependents of people who have donated or received organs or tissues. Students who receive the scholarship can use the fund to pay their tuition and other educational expenses. Unlike many other scholarship programs that only support students entering colleges or universities, this one also supports those enrolling in a trade/technical school.
10. Lathrope Voorspuy Memorial Scholarship Fund (LVMSF)
Scholarship Amount: Varies. The fund does not give a flat cash award; instead, it underwrites the exact tuition/cost of the specific training program the applicant wishes to attend
Number of scholarships: About 6 recipients per year
Winner Announcement: Mid-May
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to anyone below the age of 25 from Staten Island; high school students are encouraged to apply
If you are a high school student who actively participates in community activism and grassroots advocacy activities or is interested in running for elected office, the LVMSF can support your passion. Using this scholarship amount, you can pay for programs that are focused on improving your knowledge or skills in running for office, campaigning, or community activism. Some of the programs you can enroll in include The Midwest Academy, Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy, The Campaign School at Yale University, Dare to Run, and more. The scholarship is entirely non-partisan and open to individuals of all political persuasions.
11. Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores and $5,000 that can be used up to five undergraduate years for juniors and seniors
Number of scholarships: 75–100
Winner Announcement: Mid-May
Application Deadline: Mid-March and Mid-April
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are African Americans; you should maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in an accredited US college as a full-time student majoring in a STEM subject to continue getting the scholarship; Must have pursued a rigorous course of study in high school math and science, which explicitly must include pre-calculus
This scholars program encourages and supports African American high school students to achieve their dreams of studying and having a career in the STEM field. The program does not stop with just financial assistance but also provides mentorship, internship opportunities, and other resources that can gear you towards success in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics disciplines. As a recipient, you also have the opportunity to complete a project or an internship in a STEM area that interests you the most and receive a stipend of $5,000 for it.
12. Riley’s Way Foundation Call For Kindness (C4K) Fellowship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Number of scholarships: Funding for up to 50 projects
Winner Announcement: May
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students from ages 13 to 23 who are US citizens or DACA recipients and residing in the US
Encouraging students who are determined to make the world a kinder place, this fellowship program gives you the financial aid required for a social impact project that you plan to do in favor of your local community. The awards are given to different categories, including food security, animal welfare, equality in law, and more. The program also demonstrates its support through one-on-one guidance for your projects, leadership training through in-person retreats, online workshops to develop essential soft skills, and other enriching activities conducted throughout the year as you become a C4K Fellow.
13. Emerald Creek Capital NYC Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Number of scholarships: 1 awarded annually
Winner Announcement: Typically during the summer before the fall college semester begins
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: graduating high school senior who currently resides in New York City and is accepted to or enrolled in a college for the upcoming fall semester. You must also demonstrate financial need by providing recent household tax returns
The Emerald Creek Capital Scholarship Foundation is built around the idea that financial barriers should not prevent driven students from achieving their educational goals. When you apply for this program, you are asking a local commercial real estate finance firm to invest directly in your college journey. The application requires you to reflect on your life experiences and explain exactly how this funding will help you reach your future aspirations. Unlike massive national funds, this scholarship is uniquely hyper-focused on supporting just one local New York City student each year. If you win, you receive a substantial financial boost to help offset your tuition costs for the fall semester.
14. Lewis Rudin City Scholarships
Scholarship Amount: Typically $500 (amounts can vary)
Number of scholarships: Varies annually based on the applicant pool
Winner Announcement: Varies; you are notified if chosen alongside your standard NYU admission decision
Application Deadline: Aligns with standard NYU undergraduate admission deadlines
Eligibility: Incoming first-year undergraduate student at New York University who graduated from a public or parochial high school within one of the five boroughs of New York City, demonstrating strong academic merit and active community involvement
If you are a high-achieving student from a local public or parochial school heading to New York University, the Lewis Rudin City Scholarships program is built just for you. You are automatically considered for this award during the standard admission process based on your academic merit and community involvement. Once selected, you join a distinct cohort of local students known as Rudin Scholars. Beyond simply receiving financial aid, you will gain access to ongoing programming throughout your college career. The program’s most unique feature requires you to actively participate in specially organized academic and cultural enrichment activities across the city.
15. Aviation Career Advancement Scholarship for Future Airline Pilots
Scholarship Amount: $50,000 for the first winner and $25,000 each for the second and third winners
Number of scholarships: 3
Winner Announcement: June 3
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: 12th graders who study at Aviation High School in Queens and are U.S. citizens; must plan to enroll in a U.S. flight school affiliated with a major U.S. airline pilot pathway (such as United Aviate, Delta Propel, American Airlines Cadet Academy, etc.) or an accredited college/university flight training program
If you are a graduating senior aspiring to become a professional pilot, the Aviation Career Advancement Scholarship can provide substantial financial support for your flight training. This Bold.org fund awards up to $50,000 to help you enroll in a major airline pilot pathway or an accredited university flight program. The program’s most unique feature is its highly restrictive eligibility pool. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen currently attending Aviation High School in Queens, New York. By detailing your career goals and how you will overcome barriers, you can secure the funding to kickstart your time in the sky.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – Sallie Mae