All of Niagara University’s merit-based scholarships, achievement awards and grants for incoming, first-year students are based on your cumulative high school average and/or standardized test scores. Transfer students are based on GPAs.
And, because our merit-based scholarships, awards and grants are based on a sliding scale, there are many variations to the examples below. In addition, you may be eligible for other assistance based on your financial need.
Merit-Based Scholarships & Grants
The following are the merit-based scholarships and eligibility requirements that are valid for the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Best of all, these awards are for each of your four years at NU, providing that you are either a citizen of the United States or are an eligible non-citizen (federal definition), maintain full-time status and possess the required quality point average.
Eligibility for these scholarships and grants is determined by a thorough evaluation of the student’s high school transcript and/or submitted standardized test scores.
| Scholarship & Grant Prerequisites | Amount |
|---|---|
| Niagara Trustees’ Scholarships | $24,000 per year |
| NU Presidential Scholarships | $21,000 per year |
| Deans’ Scholarships | $18,000 per year |
| NU Achievement Awards | $16,000 per year |
| NU Grants | $12,000 per year |
Scholarships and awards are renewable for up to three years; students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
| Scholarship / Award | Cumulative GPA Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Scholarship | 3.70 & Above | $20,000 per year |
| Transfer Scholarship | 3.40 to 3.69 | $18,000 per year |
| Transfer Scholarship | 3.10 to 3.39 | $17,000 per year |
| Transfer Award | 2.80 to 3.09 | $15,000 per year |
| Transfer Award | 2.50 to 2.79 | $13,000 per year |
There is no application for the transfer scholarships/awards, but the following provisions apply:
- You must be accepted to the university as a full-time matriculated student. Award amounts will be adjusted for less than full-time status provided the student is enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours per semester.
- Though not required, we advise you to file the FAFSA.
- Scholarships are for undergraduate students only.
- Merit-based scholarships for transfer students are limited to those students who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
The Eagle Experience Scholarship
Institutional Aid & Scholarships
Awarded to members with 3.00 cumulative QPA, funded through the Niagara University Transfer Scholarship for transfer students. A student may receive funding from Alpha Beta Gamma or Phi Theta Kappa, but not both.
Scholarships are available in the following sports:
- basketball
- soccer
- swimming
- tennis
- cross country
- ice hockey
- golf — men and women
- baseball — men
- volleyball
- lacrosse
- softball — women
Students must demonstrate strong athletic ability and meet qualifications of the athletic department and the NCAA.
Awarded to qualified students from the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York.
Niagara University Monteagle and Vincentian Heritage grants are awarded based upon need. Please note that they act as placeholders until the university determines the availability of endowed scholarships. Endowed scholarships may replace some or all of your Monteagle and Vincentian Heritage grants.
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families.
- Graduate students are eligible for $4,000 per year ($8,000 total).
- Undergraduate students may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study.
- Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced.
- Second baccalaureate students are not eligible to receive the TEACH Grant.
Failure to complete the teaching obligation, respond to requests for information, or properly document your teaching service will cause the TEACH Grant to be permanently converted to a loan with interest. Once a grant is converted to a loan, it can’t be converted back to a grant!
Get ready to soar with free tuition all four years
We know that cost is one of the biggest barriers to higher education. We strive to make a quality education affordable at Niagara University, but never more so than this: Free tuition for all four undergraduate years, courtesy of the new Full Flight Scholarship.
The new scholarship reinforces the university’s Vincentian mission and resulting commitment to access and affordability. As a Vincentian institution, we have pledged that at least 25% of our incoming undergraduate students will be eligible for federal Pell Grants.
Requirements
- 88 GPA, or higher
- U.S. resident
- Financial hardship
- Demonstrated ability to overcome difficulties (“grit”), and active involvement in volunteer/service work that benefits the local community or society at large
- Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher while pursuing your undergraduate degree at NU
Timeline
Qualifying students must submit their scholarship application by Jan. 15, 2024. A selection committee will review the applications and announce its decisions by mid February 2024.
How do students qualify?
Full Flight is designed for driven students who are eligible for full Pell status ($0 Expected Family Contribution), which generally is reserved for students who come from a family of four or more with an annual household income of $60,000 or less. The best way to determine your eligibility is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with Niagara University as soon as possible.
“Led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects.”
The Fulbright Program began on the Niagara University campus in 2009. Dr. Shannon Risk administers the program and can provide advisement for students interested in the opportunities to study abroad provided by the program.
Making higher education more accessible and affordable is a core component of Niagara University’s Vincentian mission. NU’s annual $3,000 Inclusive Excellence Scholarship provides students with the opportunity to affordably attain their professional goals while pursing a degree in the College of Education or the Holzschuh College of Business Administration.
The Inclusive Excellence Scholarship is geared toward fostering a university community that respects and embraces diversity. This scholarship is focused on increasing the recruitment, retention, and graduation of a diverse student body.
Eligibility
- Applicants must enroll as a freshman or transfer student with a major in a degree within the College of Education or the Holzschuh College of Business Administration.
- Candidates who are Black/African American, Hispanic, Alaskan Native or American Indian, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander are eligible.
- Candidates must be located in the United States.
Exclusions
These one-year grants are made to Niagara University students with financial need.
Awarded to someone who has assisted a student from Niagara University on a contracted basis with an internship.
Awarded to members with 3.00 cumulative QPA, funded through the Niagara University Transfer Scholarship for transfer students. A student may receive funding from Alpha Beta Gamma or Phi Theta Kappa, but not both.
25% tuition discount offered to members of a Roman Catholic religious order (priest, brother, nun).
The Niagara University Science Training and Research (NUSTAR) program seeks to enable self-motivated, goal-oriented, and academically exceptional students to carry out high-impact and collaborative research with Niagara’s science faculty. Successful progression in the program requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 and successful participation in NUSTAR seminars, research, and programming.
The NUSTAR program admits students majoring in any of the natural science disciplines at Niagara and provides the following benefits:
- A stipend of $6,000 per year.
- Participation in a faculty-led seminar that focuses on the research process, recent research innovations, and career development.
- An early and guided introduction to undergraduate research with a faculty member.
- Funding to travel and present research at regional and national conferences.
- Opportunities to apply for summer research funding and on-campus housing.
Research
Research is an exceptional way for undergraduate science students to gain practical, high-level, and hands-on experience.
Niagara University has a longstanding tradition of pairing undergraduate students with Ph.D.-prepared faculty members to collaborate on scientific research. This, combined with cutting-edge facilities and equipment, extended academic networks, and institutional support, enable the NUSTAR program to provide highly motivated students with meaningful research experiences that give participating students an edge when applying to professional schools, graduate programs, and competitive industry jobs.
This exclusive opportunity for NUSTAR participants includes:
- Early contact with faculty members, staff, and other research students in the sciences, presenting first-year students with personal and academic support systems as they transition to Niagara University.
- Engagement in cutting-edge, faculty-mentored research early in their academic careers.
- Involvement in a research-oriented seminar environment that focuses on the development of research skills and the ethical practice of science.
- Efficient and effective workshops that increase students’ knowledge of research, foster effective communication skills, and facilitate experience in making scientific presentations.
- Appropriate compensation for their contributions.
Admission Criteria
- High school biology, chemistry, and/or environmental science successfully completed with a B or better.
- Recommended courses include: pre-calculus or calculus, physics, other AP courses in math and science.
- A completed application detailing your interests in science and career goals.
- An interview with NUSTAR science faculty.
Students with enthusiasm for a hands-on science education or with prior experience in a research laboratory are especially encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin February 1. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the faculty director, Dr. Cassandra Marnocha, with any questions about the application process.
Envisioned and realized through the generosity of the Glynn family, the Vincentian Scholars Program is an elite four-year scholarship program that forms leaders in the Vincentian tradition academically, practically, and spiritually. A special emphasis on social justice is a hallmark of the program. Each scholar accepted into the program not only must maintain a high grade point average, but also must develop the integrity and responsibility necessary to work side by side with local community leaders.
Veterans Scholarships
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is dedicated to providing academic support to U.S. military personnel.
Scholarships are made possible in part by generous contributions from AFCEA’s Northern Virginia Chapter.
- Eligibility: To qualify, undergraduates must meet the New York state residency requirements. For VVTA, applicants must have served in the armed forces in Indochina between December 1961 and May 1975 and meet other eligibility requirements. Persian Gulf veterans must have served in hostilities beginning Aug. 2, 1990. Afghanistan veterans must have served on or after Sept. 11, 2001. For all programs, applicants must be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. In addition, applicants must file the Veterans Award Supplement to establish eligibility. Call NYSHESC at 1.888.697.4372 for information.
- Criteria for selection: Students must complete all eligibility requirements, including filing for TAP and Federal Pell grants, demonstrate good academic standing and meet pursuit of program requirements.
- Award Schedule: Awards are $1,000 per semester for full-time study; $500 per semester for part-time study. Awards cannot exceed cost of tuition.
- Responsibilities of recipients: Annually file the FAFSA, Express Tap Application and VVTA or PGVTA Supplement. After initial year of eligibility is established, students must refile supplement yearly for part-time study only.
One of the Army Nurse Corps Association’s major initiatives is the scholarship program. Its purpose is the support of nursing education through scholarship funding to worthy students who are US citizens in an accredited baccalaureate or graduate nursing or anesthesia program.
The Army Scholarship Foundation awards one-year financial scholarships (not grants or loans) on an annual basis to qualified and deserving students. The amount of award ranges from $500 to $2,000 for undergraduate studies at accredited educational/technical institutions. Scholarship recipients may apply to renew their scholarships annually for a total of four years of higher education. Renewal is not automatic, but depends on academic performance and continued academic eligibility. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic record and participation in school and community activities.
The Army Women’s Foundation recognizes the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional and economic fulfillment. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: certificate programs, community college coursework, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited institutions. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, community service, letters of recommendation, and need.
Since 1924, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has been awarding scholarships to students from Western New York. In 2018, the Community Foundation was one of the region’s largest scholarship providers, awarding scholarships totaling $2.6 million to Western New York students.
The Folds of Honor foundation offers two types of scholarship programs: the Children’s Fund Scholarship that serves kindergarten through 12th grade students, and the Higher Education Scholarship that serves those seeking a first bachelor’s degree or a certification at a post-secondary institution. Both types of the Folds of Honor scholarships are based on “unmet need” as determined by documentation submitted by the awardee and can be valued up to $5,000. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded approximately 20,000 scholarships. In 2018-2019, we awarded nearly 4,000 scholarships to military families, providing nearly $20 million in educational support.
Like other federal grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria.
The Military education benefit is considered by many active and reserve service members as one of the most attractive benefits of military service. The education benefit features a number of aspects important to recipients.
- Eligibility: Members of the armed forces of the U.S. or state-organized militia who, while New York state (NYS) residents, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred in a combat theatre or combat zone or during military training operations in preparation for duty in a combat theatre or combat zone of operation. Also, children, spouses and financial dependents of member of the above forces who were NYS residents at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, died, became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injuries suffered or incurred, or are classified missing in action as a result of military activities as described above.
- Criteria for selection: Must submit documentation supporting eligibility. Must be a full-time undergraduate student in an approved NYS post-secondary institution.
- Award schedule: An amount equal to SUNY four-year college tuition and average mandatory educational fees and allowances for room and board, books, supplies and transportation.
- Responsibilities of recipients: Annually file the FAFSA and express TAP application and the award supplement form, which is available on request from NYSHESC. For more information, contact HESC at 1.888.697.4372.
- Eligibility: Children of veterans who are deceased, 40% or more disabled, former POWs, or MIA as a result of service during certain specified conflicts.
- Criteria for selection: Recipients must meet all eligibility requirements. Students must be a U.S. citizen, a New York state resident, a full-time matriculated student and make satisfactory academic progress.
- Award schedule: $450 per year, for up to five years, depending on the normal length of the program.
- Responsibilities of recipients: Annually file the FAFSA and TAP application. In addition, file the CV Award Supplement available on request from NYSHESC: 1.888.697.4372.
The VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. It’s just another way for us to say “thank you” to those who fought for our freedoms.
College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management
We are proud of the investment that local foundations and our university have made in the college. These investments allow us to deliver financial aid offers to all College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management majors, including scholarships sponsored by the university and national affiliated programs.
Holzschuh College of Business Administration
Business scholarships focus on academic performance, financial need, enrolled at least half time and other specific conditions
Pay close attention to application deadlines, qualifications, and any restrictions to ensure your eligibility. Financial Aid Office is responsible for determine eligibility and awards amounts.
Federal Aid Programs
All federal programs require the recipient to be enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at the university, a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, registered with the selective service if applicable, and not be convicted for the sale or possession of drugs.
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Federal Work Study Program (FWSP)
- Federal Stafford Loan Program (Subsidized)
- Federal Stafford Loan Program (Unsubsidized)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official form that students and their families use to apply for financial assistance for college from the federal government.
Attention: The FAFSA form is being updated, and the deadline to fill it out has been delayed. The FAFSA form for the 2024-25 school year is expected to be available in December 2023.
Remember, this is a super important step to finding out what financial aid, scholarships, and grants you qualify for! Be prepared when the new deadline rolls around:
1. Read up on FAFSA changes
2. Create FSA ID
Need assistance understanding our federal aid programs? Reach out!
Outside Private Scholarships
Outside private scholarships are a great source for supplementing the cost of higher education. We recommend that students visit their high school guidance counselor, local organizations or the following scholarship search engines for more scholarship opportunities.