What NY scholarships are available for high school juniors?

As I start thinking about college, I'm particularly interested in scholarships offered in New York since I'm planning to stay in-state. Are there any specific scholarships that target New York residents or students attending colleges within the state? I'd love some guidance on where to start looking or if there are unique opportunities that I should be aware of. Any advice from those who have gone through this would be really appreciated!

Sure, I'm happy to provide guidance! New York State indeed offers several scholarships for high school juniors.

One of the most well-known is the New York State (NYS) STEM Incentive Program. This program provides a full SUNY or CUNY tuition scholarship to the top 10% of students in each NYS high school if they pursue a STEM field in college and agree to live in-state and work in a STEM field for five years after graduating.

Another scholarship is the New York State Excelsior Scholarship, which isn't need-based and covers tuition expenses at any SUNY or CUNY school. This scholarship is for families who make up to $125,000 annually.

The New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence is also another program to consider. It offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 per year based on academic excellence in certain subjects. The awards are given out by the high schools, and the number of scholarships granted depends on the graduation rate of the school.

In addition to these state-specific scholarships, various local and regional scholarships are available that you might qualify for by virtue of being a New York resident, like The Buffalo Sabres Scholarship. It's awarded to Western New York high school students based on academic achievement, leadership skills, and fiscal need.

Don't forget to also look into scholarships provided directly by the colleges you're interested in, as many institutions offer scholarships to incoming students that aren't contingent on major or field of study, but rather on academic performance, leadership involvement, or community service.

Keep in mind that scholarship requirements and funding amounts can change from year to year, so it's always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information on each scholarship's official website.

Start your research as early as possible and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for each scholarship you apply to. It's a lot of work, but the potential payoff in reduced college costs is definitely worth it. Best of luck with your search!