Scholarships on File

Many colleges have their own scholarship opportunities. You can find these on individual college websites. Please see your counselor if any of them require a nomination.

Click here for a list of scholarships from The High School Counselors' Association of WNY. Please check back often, scholarships and deadlines can change. 

December 2025

2026 Series Scholarships for Academic Excellence

• New York State offers awards based on academic excellence: the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, and/or excel in scholastic activities.
• 1 award for $1500
• 7 awards for $500
• The selection criteria is based on class rank
• *no action is required by the student*

The Buffalo Police Athletic League - Lt. Craig Lehner Scholarship - This scholarship held by The Buffalo Police Athletic League was created in remembrance of Lt Lehner who dedicated his life to community service. The scholarship's goal is to assist and encourage deserving students seeking education in Criminal Justice and Law. For requirements and application, visit https://buffalopal.com/lieutenant-craig-lehner-scholarship-fund-page/ 

embraceWNY Grant/Scholarship -https://embracewny.org/  and click on Apply for Funding.  This Scholarship has a rolling deadline.

GE- Reagan Foundation Scholarship - Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.  For more information, visit www.reaganfoundation.org/education/scholarship-programs/ge-reagan-foundation-scholarship-program/  Deadline: January 5, 2026

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest:  This is an essay contest worth $10,000.  Visit https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest   for details. Deadline: January 12, 2026

MENSA Education & Research Foundation Scholarship Program Visit www.mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/ Deadline: January 15, 2026

Buffalo Urban League Scholarship- Must be a High School Senior or recent HSE/GED recipient who plans to attend college or a vocational school in the fall.  Visit: www.bulny.org/scholarship   Deadline:  January 23, 2026

Character Council of WNY And The Harvest Time Partners Foundation- $1,000 cash scholarships to high-school seniors who exemplify character in their daily lives.  Visit:  www.charactercouncilwny.org/scholarship/ Deadline: January 30, 2026

Benjamin Milak Memorial Scholarship – Must be a graduating senior who struggles with a learning disability, hearing impairment or who has battled cancer.  The recipient should possess a realistic career goal, be community minded and have a respect for the natural world. Visit:  www.milakscholarship.org  Deadline: February 1, 2026

Elks National Scholarships-Legacy Awards–scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk Members.  Applications are available at https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/legacy.cfm Deadline: February 2, 2026

AAUW Buffalo Branch Scholarship – Up to four scholarships of  $5,000 each awarded to high school senior girls attending an Erie or Niagara County high school. Must have a GPA of at least 95.  Must complete an application, submit two letters of recommendation and your high school transcript. May also need to attend a personal interview, if requested. Visit https://aauwbuffalo.org/scholarships-loans-and-grants/ Deadline: February 13, 2026

Louis J. Nanni Memorial Scholarship – this $500 scholarship is available to North Towns Federal Credit Union members in good standing who are graduating seniors in 2026. Applications are available here. Deadline: February 20, 2026

NYS Society of Professional Engineers -  Two scholarships available: Li S. Liu, P.E. Memorial Scholarship - Jointly administered by the Erie Niagara Chapter of the NY State Society of Professional Engineers and The Community Foundation for a Greater Buffalo; This scholarship is given annually to qualifying high school seniors from Western New York who are accepted into an accredited college engineering program. (Previous awards have ranged from $500.00 to $3,000.00) and the Richard Wohler, P.E. Memorial / Hutch-Tech High School Scholarship -Jointly administered by the Erie Niagara Chapter of the NY State Society of Professional Engineers and The Community Foundation for a Greater Buffalo; This scholarship is presented annually to a qualified senior(s) with preference towards a student from Hutch Tech High School or a High School in Buffalo, NY who are accepted into an accredited college engineering program. (Previous awards have ranged from $500.00 to $2,500.00) Information and Application Forms can be found at: https://www.wnype.org/students Deadline: February 27, 2026

The Summit Federal Credit Union College Scholarship Program Applicants for all 2026 scholarships must either be a current member of The Summit or join The Summit as a primary account holder.  Visit: www.summitfcu.org/join-the-summit/services-benefits/scholarships/Deadlines: January 9, 2026 and February 28, 2026.  See flyer here.

Association of Fire Districts of The State of New York–Ned Carter Scholarship – Four $1,500 scholarships to NY State high school seniors who will be graduating in June of 2026 and who either are related to a firefighter, are a firefighter or an explorer in a fire department or fire district that is a member of the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York.  Visit: https://www.afdsny.org/ned_carter_memorial_scholarshi.php   Deadline:  March 1, 2026

Scalp and Blade Scholarship - This $2500 scholarship is renewable for a total of four years, providing the student maintains satisfactory grades in college.  Only one senior male can be nominated by his high school principal or guidance counselor.  Candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic accomplishment in terms of grades and college entrance exams, extracurricular activities, community involvement as well as financial need. If you wish to be nominated, the application is available here and needs to be submitted to Mrs. Fuller in the Guidance Office by April 20, 2026 for consideration.  The Scalp and Blade committee deadline to receive the submission is May 1, 2026