SUNY Potsdam awards $3 million in scholarships to undergraduate students.
Scholarships are primarily based upon academic achievement.
Applicable for fall 2025 enrollment
Students who are accepted to SUNY Potsdam, who have earned at least an 86 high school grade point average (GPA) are automatically considered for merit scholarships, no scholarship application required!
Apply for admission as soon as possible, as scholarships are awarded on a first come-first served basis and as funding allows.
If your high school education is through a home school program, international school, TASC / GED, please contact your Admissions Counselor to learn more about eligibility.
Please note: Students applying for an Online Program are automatically considered for merit scholarships on a different scale than the ones listed below, no scholarship application required!
New York State Resident / New York State Tuition Rate Student Awards
| GPA | Annual Award* | Total Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|
| 95+ | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| 90-94 | $3,500 | $14,000 |
| 88-89 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| 86-87 | $1,000 | $4,000 |
* awarded until March 1, 2025 as funding allows
Out of State / International Student Awards
| GPA | Annual Award | Total Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|
| 95+ | $7,000 | $28,000 |
| 90-94 | $5,500 | $22,000 |
| 88-89 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| 86-87 | $3,000 | $12,000 |
* awarded until March 1, 2025 as funding allows
Special Rules Apply:
- Students receive the scholarship for up to eight semesters of consecutive full-time study
- To retain funding, students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA each year
- Students that decide to live off campus in years 3 and 4 will have their annual scholarship reduced by 30%.
- Scholarship awards are deducted from non-tuition educational costs
NOTE: NCAA Division III Bylaws prohibit the awarding of financial awards, grants and scholarships to intercollegiate student-athletes on the basis of athletic participation, leadership, ability or performance. As a result, eligibility for scholarships will be assessed without the consideration of athletic participation, leadership, ability or performance.
Other notes: For eligible students - remember to complete your FAFSA, TAP and Excelsior applications as soon as possible to get more information about cost and aid.
Applicable for fall 2025
Students who are accepted to SUNY Potsdam, who have earned at least a 3.25 transfer grade point average (GPA) are automatically considered for merit scholarships, no scholarship application required!
Apply for admission as soon as possible, as scholarships are awarded on a first come-first served basis and as funding allows.
If the campus you are transferring from is an international school, please contact your Admissions Counselor to learn more about eligibility.
Please note: Students applying for an Online Program are automatically considered for merit scholarships on a different scale than the ones listed below, no scholarship application required!
New York State Resident / New York State Tuition Rate Student Awards
| GPA | Annual Award * | Total Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| 3.25-3.49 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
* awarded until March 1, 2025 as funding allows
Out of State / International Student Awards
| GPA | Annual Award * | Total Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| 3.25-3.49 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
* awarded until March 1, 2025 as funding allows
Special Rules Apply:
- Students receive the scholarship for up to four semesters of consecutive full-time study
- To retain funding, students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA each year
- Scholarship awards are deducted from non-tuition educational costs
Note: NCAA Division III Bylaws prohibit the awarding of financial awards, grants and scholarships to intercollegiate student-athletes on the basis of athletic participation, leadership, ability or performance. As a result, eligibility for scholarships will be assessed without the consideration of athletic participation, leadership, ability or performance.
Other notes: For eligible students - remember to complete your FAFSA, TAP and Excelsior applications as soon as possible to get more information about cost and aid.
Together with our generous alumni and supporters, SUNY Potsdam supports continuing students with more than 300 scholarships and awards each spring semester. To be considered, continuing students can ask their academic department and/or Student Affairs about opportunities at the beginning of the spring semester.
- SUNY Potsdam Graduate Scholarship - For prospective graduate students at SUNY Potsdam.
- SUNY Potsdam Graduate Scholarship for International Students - For prospective international graduate students.
- You may consider reviewing these other options.
New students from eight states across the country will be able to attend SUNY Potsdam for the same tuition they’d pay at their home state’s public university system flagship schools.
2025 applicants from Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California are eligible for the SUNY Tuition Match program.
Upon acceptance to SUNY Potsdam, eligible students will be automatically awarded with an estimated Potsdam Tuition Match as campuses typically finalize tuition rates later in the year.
If you have any questions, please connect with our Admissions Office.
The College in High School Scholarship is a one-time $1000 award for any first-time, matriculated college student that has taken SUNY Potsdam CHS coursework. This will be awarded in addition to any other SUNY Potsdam scholarships.
More information about CHS coursework can be found here.
Unique Opportunities
SUNY Potsdam is continuously seeking qualified students for special scholarships, including hundreds of donor-funded awards ranging from $500 - $2,000.
*NCAA Division III regulations prohibit the consideration of athletic ability, athletic participation, athletic leadership or performance in awarding scholarships.
Here are just a few examples:
- Alumni Association Scholarship: For children or grandchildren of SUNY Potsdam alumni
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for study or internships abroad (Deadline: October 6, External Scholarship Opportunity)
- Bonita L. Betters-Reed Leadership Scholarship for Diversity & Inclusion: For students with demonstrated leadership qualities, as well as advocacy for an inclusive campus community - Connect with our Student Affairs office at the beginning of our spring semester.
- Burke Scholarship: Established to support a first degree relative of a current, retired or deceased member of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) - Email onestop@potsdam.edu to inquire.
- Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award: Eligible students who have attended high school in one of the 8 counties of Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming and Orleans) and are currently enrolled in college for theatre, dance, vocal or instrumental studies. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete the online application and submit supporting materials by February 1st. Click HERE for more information or to complete the online application.
- Haden Land Endowed Internship: Internship scholarship for computer science students, with preference given those with a double major or who are pursuing experiences in the aerospace or defense industry...learn more.
- Jerry & Catherine Welsh Scholarship: For North Country students pursuing a teaching degree, who have completed at least one required course toward their coaching certification - Connect with the School of Education & Professional Studies at the beginning of our spring semester.
- Non-traditional student scholarships: Numerous scholarships to support students who are single parents and students with families who are attending college full-time and working - Email onestop@potsdam.edu to inquire.
- NYSFAAA George Chin Memorial Scholarship
- Rebecca Pratt Scholarship: For a sophomore or junior student who demonstrates, by way of an essay, the strength they have acquired due to a family or personal struggle. Apply here.
- School of Education & Professional Studies Scholarships
- SGA Scholarships
Apply here at the end of the Fall semester.
- Shane T. Shaul Memorial SGA Scholarship: Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student who exhibits outstanding leadership qualities in an SGA recognized student organization and has demonstrated the ability to work effectively with the college faculty, staff, or administration to benefit all students. Apply here at the end of the Fall semester.
- Study Abroad Scholarships Available through SUNY Potsdam
Applied Learning Funding
SUNY Potsdam’s Lougheed Center for Applied Learning has scholarship and grant funding to help support students’ growth, including funding for:
- professional development opportunities
- travel
- internships
- study abroad
- research
- creative projects
I am currently fulfilling my goal to study abroad, in the city of Valencia, Spain, while completing my Spanish literature major. This scholarship lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of college—learning.