NYCUA GPO Federal Credit Union Scholarship 

Due: January 9, 2026

Amount: $500- $1,500

Description: The New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA) is partnering with credit unions to offer their college-bound members a scholarship opportunity. The program is designed to provide funds that would be used toward tuition, room and board, books, and school supplies. NYCUA awards scholarships to be paid jointly to the student and educational institution. 

Criteria: The applicant must be a member in good standing of a participating New York credit union who meets all of the following criteria: Is a college-bound high school senior at the time of submitting the application, is attending college for the first time in the fall of 2026, will be enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited educational institution or trade school 

Requirements: Complete the application form, obtain a credit union verification code from their credit union in order to verify eligibility, submit a high school transcript, submit an essay response.

nycua.org/uniting/scholarship-program/college-scholarship-program-applicants 

Daughters of the American Revolution- Helen and Arnold Barben Scholarship

Due: January 15, 2026

Amount: $2,000 ($500 each year for four years)

Description: The object of the Helen and Arnold Barben Scholarship is to financially assist deserving young women in acquiring a higher education with a view to becoming better prepared for life and citizenship.

Criteria: Women who are completing their high school studies, must be a resident of the US and have been born in the US, must be attending a 4 year college or university

Requirements: Complete application form, provide a copy of high school transcript, letter of recommendation from Principal, Guidance Counselor, or Academic Department Head, a goal statement from the applicant including educational plans and career objectives, copy of applicants birth certificate

Daughters of the American Revolution- Peggy Jo Power Gifford Scholarship

Due: January 15, 2026

Amount: $500

Description: The objective of the Peggy Jo Power Gifford Scholarship is to financially assist deserving young people in acquiring a higher education in United States History or Philanthropy, with a view to becoming better prepared for life and citizenship.

Criteria: Any individual interested in majoring the US History, Philanthropic Studies, or Non-Profit Management is eligible, an application should be submitted to the scholarship chairman, applicant must be attending or applying to attend an accredited two or four year college or university in the US.

Requirements: Complete the application form, provide a copy of your high school transcript, send in a letter of recommendation from the Principal, Guidance Counselor, teacher, or community member including a description of the applicants character, general ability, leadership and interests, include a goal statement stating educational plans and career objectives

Daughters of the American Revolution- Damaris Smith Desimone Scholarship

Due: January 15, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Description: The object of the Damaris Smith DeSimone Scholarship is to financially assist deserving young people in acquiring a higher education in United States History with a view to become better prepared for life and citizenship.

Criteria: High school senior planning on majoring in United States History are eligible. Applicant must be a resident of NY state. The applicant must attend an accredited four year college or university in the United States. 

Requirements: Complete the application form, provide a copy of your high school transcript, send in a letter of recommendation from the Principal, Guidance Counselor, teacher. Include a goal statement with the application with your educational plans and ultimate career objectives.

Charles J. Love American Legion Auxiliary Unit 406

Due: March 1, 2026

Amount: $500

Description: This scholarship will be offered to a deserving graduating high school senior who exemplifies good citizenship. 

Criteria: The applicant must be a son, daughter, granddaughter or grandson of a member in good standing of the Charles J. Love Post 406 Legion, Auxiliary or SAL. The student must plan to pursue a degree above the high school level by attending a 2 or 4 year college.

Requirements: Applicants must have their guidance office submit an official high school transcript to the American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Committee. Applicant shall prepare a 200 word or less statement summarizing his/her vocational or professional goals. A current dated and signed one page letter of recommendation from a person in authority a teacher from the high school attended by the applicant, covering the applicants ability, work ethic, leadership, personality, integrity, and citizenship must accompany the application. Applicant must be a citizen of the United States. 

Utica Dollars for Scholars- Mele Family Fund

Due: March 15, 2026

Amount: Up to $12,000 over a 4 year period

Description: The Mele Family Fund Award goes to a graduating senior at selected Oneida and Herkimer County high schools who will matriculate in a four-year college or university this year. It is considered for renewal for up to three additional years. 

Criteria: The student must maintain a minimum academic average of 'B' or '3.0' on a 4.0 scale.  The eligible recipient is initially selected based on excellence in Math, Science, or Humanities. The student must have specific academic intent and qualifiations, and who will be attending a 4 year college or university. 

Requirements: Students complete the online application on the Utica Dollars for Scholars website. The application must include requested comprehensive student information including the financial section, goals essay, high school transcript, and recommendation.  

https://utica.dollarsforscholars.org

Utica Dollars for Scholars- The Wurz Family Scholarship

Due: March 15, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Description: The Wurz Family Scholarship aims to support students who demonstrate a balanced approach to life and education, possess a positive outlook on their future, understand the importance of maintaining a good academic record, and value personal fulfillment. 

Criteria: Eligible applicants are generally graduating high school seniors; however, delayed enrollment, post-high school, and non-traditional students who have earned a GED and are enrolling in higher education are also eligible to apply. The minimum academic average required for eligibility is a 2.5 GPA for both initial awards and renewals.  

Requirements: Current year graduating high school senior, in a school geographically located in Oneida County. Recipients attend an accredited academic college or vocational/trade school program. Exhibits evidence of financial need to accomplish post-secondary higher education goals. The minimum academic average required for eligibility is a 2.5 GPA for both initial awards and renewals. Recipients will also be considered based on their unmet financial needs as they pursue higher education goals. 

https://utica.dollarsforscholars.org

Utica Dollars for Scholars- SFC Eric Nichols

Due: March 15, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Description: Designated for a student attending Remsen High School. The preferred recipient should be from a military family. SFC Nichols was a Medical Platoon Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. He was a Registered Nurse at a local hospital who was pursuing a master’s degree and had planned to become a commissioned officer before he died in 2007. This special award is in his memory. 

Criteria: The preferred recipient should be from a military family.

Requirements: Complete the online application. 

utica.dollarsforscholars.org 

Utica Dollars for Scholars- Credit Bureau of Utica Award

Due: March 15, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Description: For a graduating senior from any Oneida or Herkimer County High School who will be attending a local higher education, pursing Business or Health Care as a first career choice. 

Criteria: The minimum qualifications are a student pursuing Business or Health Care as a first career choice. Minimum grade point average of B (3.0 GPA) or better. A student with employment, volunteer, or community service in their major field of interest is preferred. 

Requirements: Complete the online application. 

utica.dollarsforscholars.org 

Deputy Kurt Wyman Memorial Scholarship

Due: May 1, 2026

Amount: $500

Description: Established in memory of Oneida County Deputy Kurt Wyman, who was killed in the line of duty.   

Criteria: Applicant must be a resident of Oneida County. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending an accredited college or university in the fall. Applicant must be pursuing a career in a criminal justice field.

Requirements: Complete the application, include a copy of your most current transcript. Email to thomasross61@outlook.com.

Thomas J. Krajci Memorial Scholarship

Due: May 1, 2026

Amount: $500

Description: Established in memory of Tom Krajci, NYSDA's first Executive Director, who passed away unexpectedly in 2008.  

Criteria: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending an accredited college or university in the fall. Applicant must be pursuing a career in a labor relations or criminal justice field. 

Requirements: Complete the application, include a copy of your most current transcript. Email to thomasross61@outlook.com.

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Due: November 12, 2025

Amount: Ranging from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year 

Description: Since 1931, the Elks National Foundation has helped students recognize their academic dreams. Each year, we award more than $3 million in college scholarships to at least 850 outstanding, service-minded high school seniors.  

Criteria: Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply, applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks, Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify, scholarships are available only to students who enroll in four-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited U.S. American colleges or universities.

https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm

Daughters of the American Revolution -Good Citizens Scholarship

Due: November 1, 2025

Description: The DAR Good Citizens program and scholarship contest are intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The program is open to all senior students.

Requirements: Resume, two letters of recommendation, written essay (topic will be announced at the time of writing)

(Please let the guidance office know by 10/27 if you are interested in completing the essay contest)