Other Sources of Financial Aid
In addition to federal and state financial aid programs, there are several options available for students who qualify.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program, please review program requirements online at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices or you should contact the Financial Aid office at 800 847-3000. Please note that if you receive a TEACH grant but do not complete the required teaching services you will be required to repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH grant disbursement.
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Disabled persons with substantial employment handicaps may qualify for assistance through the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). Eligible students should first explore other tuition assistance programs, but should feel free to contact the nearest VESID office. For more information about this service and a complete list of regional locations, write to the University of the State of New York, State Education Department, VESID, Albany, NY 12234.
Veterans Administration Benefits
Veterans who attend Empire State College may be eligible for educational benefits provided they have entitlement remaining with the Veterans Administration. A nonmatriculated student may receive benefits for a maximum of two terms.
Veterans applying to the college should file their V.A. paperwork directly with the Office of the Registrar. The appropriate form may be printed from the V.A. web site at www.gibill.va.gov. Once the form is completed, it should be returned to Office of the Registrar, Empire State College, 2 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Empire State College Foundation Funds
The Empire State College Foundation was established in 1974. Its mission is to enhance the quality of the college by augmenting its financial resources. As a separate, not-for-profit, charitable organization, it enables the college to initiate and support programs that would not otherwise be funded. As part of its function, the foundation supports students at the college by providing interest-free loans, grants, fellowships, scholarships and other financial aid programs.
Empire State College Foundation scholarships are available to students as a result of the generosity of alumni, employees and friends who have chosen to recognize the value of education by establishing and contributing to scholarship funds.
Empire State College Foundation Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships may be awarded to students who have financial need, have earned at least 8 credits at Empire State College and who are in good academic standing. To apply, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming year. The FAFSA must be submitted by the April 1 deadline proceeding the year for which the funds are to be utilized. Scholarships will be awarded in August for the fall and spring terms.
Students can complete the FAFSA online at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices, or request paper application at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Adirondack Trust Company Scholarship
Established by the Adirondack Trust Company, this scholarship provides aid to undergraduate or graduate students who reside in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Montgomery, Saratoga, Washington, Fulton, Schoharie, Greene or Columbia counties in New York state.
Nancy Gathings Bunch Scholarship
Established by Metropolitan Center retired dean Nancy Gathings Bunch, this scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate students who are highly motivated, have financial need and who wish to direct their work in the service of others.
Cahill/Wink LLP Scholarship
Established by alumnus, Stephen Wink, this scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with financial need, academic promise and career promise.
Empire State College Scholarship
Established through private contributions to the college, this scholarship provides aid to undergraduate or graduate students with financial need.
Drs. James Gibson and Patricia Brozinsky Scholarship
This endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to those students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Social Policy program who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. Preference will be given to students currently working in, or aspiring to establish a career in higher education.
Peter Gilbert Scholarship
Established in honor and memory of Mentor Peter Gilbert, this is available to undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate a strong interest in technology and human values.
James W. Hall Scholarship
Established in honor of the first president of Empire State College, James W. Hall, this scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students.
Michael Lamanna Memorial Scholarship
This memorial scholarship honors the life and work of Dr. Michael Lamanna, professor at the University at Albany, SUNY. Dr. Lamanna loved to learn, loved to teach and mentor future teachers. This scholarship provides support for students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Empire State College.
Marjorie Meinhardt ’77 Scholarship
Established in honor of alumna and long-time Empire State College director of alumni and student relations, Marjorie Meinhardt ’77, this scholarship is available to all undergraduate and graduate students.
Rosa Parks Scholarship
Established in 1999 by an alumna of the School for Graduate Studies, this scholarship is intended to help further the graduate education of active trade unionists in the college’s M.A. program in labor and policy studies by providing for partial graduate tuition.
Ortiz Family Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Oritz family to promote diversity in the pool of people pursuing careers as K-12 educators. This scholarship will be awarded annually with preference given to students from a traditionally underrepresented background enrolled in Empire State College's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. Secondary consideration will be given to similar students working towards a master's degree to achieve permanent certification, or working towards an undergraduate degree with the intention of teaching or entering a Master of Arts in Teaching program shortly after graduation.
Peter Silverhart Scholarship
Established by former Empire State College Foundation board member Sondra Silverhart in memory of her son Peter, this is available to undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate a strong commitment to helping people.
David Yamada '99 Labor Relations Scholarship
Established by alumnus David Yamada '99, this scholarship is available to graduate students with financial need enrolled in the labor and policy studies program who are studying labor education and labor organizing.
Awards, Scholarships or Fellowships with an Application
State University of New York (SUNY) Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program
This fellowship will assist the college in the recruitment, enrollment and retention of students in master's programs who can demonstrate that they will contribute to the diversity of the student body in their program, especially those who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Preference is given to applicants who have not yet enrolled as a matriculated graduate student at Empire State College. The application deadline is July 1 of each year. For more information, contact Pat Ryan, director of graduate student and academic services, at the School for Graduate Studies, 111 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, 518 587-2100, ext. 2267 or Pat.Ryan@esc.edu.
67kB)Loan Programs
Empire State College Foundation Loans
You may apply for an advance on your pending financial aid. These funds are made available through the college’s foundation and are to be used for educational costs to attend Empire State College. To apply, complete the Student Request for an Advance of Excess Financial Aid application below. You must be registered for the current or upcoming term, and meet all the criteria outlined on the application. The maximum amount of the Foundation Loan is $500.
Empire State College Foundation Grants
Grants are awarded to students who have financial need and are maintaining good academic standing. The Empire State College Foundation Grant will be given to students who do not have enough financial aid to cover tuition and fees. To apply students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming year. The FAFSA must be submitted by the deadline of April 15 preceding the year for which the funds are to be utilized. Grants will be awarded in August. Students can complete the FAFSA online at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices, request a paper application at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by calling 800 4FED-AID.
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read PDF documents. If Acrobat Reader is not installed on your computer, you can download it for free from Adobe. If you are unable to use the file, please contact Graduate Student Services for assistance.
