Student speaking at a podium

Scholarships

Buffalo State offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for current and new graduate students. These scholarships are based on specific criteria which includes academic merit, financial need, field of study, or a combination of criteria. 

The Financial Aid office keeps up-to-date records on all scholarships available to students.

All internal scholarships are reviewed through the Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS) and managed by the Financial Aid Office.


Anna Mae Murphy Elementary Education Scholarship

For declared majors in Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Exceptional Education and Childhood Education working toward initial teacher certification either through a bachelor's or master's degree

Requirements

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Demonstrated financial need (current FAFSA on file)

Bengal 2 Bengal Support Fund

This support fund is to help Buffalo State students facing emergency situations in the short term graduate in the long term.

The emergency must be an unforeseen event requiring an unexpected need for funds. It cannot be a chronic problem or an anticipated expense.

The fund (up to $2,000 maximum) may be used to provide:

  • technology hardware or software needed for academic coursework
  • books or other materials needed for coursework
  • unforeseen medical expenses for the student or dependent children not covered by insurance
  • other emergency needs to ensure the student stays in housing, to pay for utilities, a crisis that requires travel home, protection from domestic violence, or another immediate crisis.

Requirements

  • Open to all Buffalo State students in good standing (3.00)
  • Must be financial aid eligible
  • At least one zoom meeting as part of the application process.

Application

  • Students can apply once per year (January 1–December 31) while classes are in session.
  • Applications can only be made during the fall or spring semester.  

Carol & Gerald Wahlenmayer Scholarship

For Buffalo State graduate students enrolled either full- or part-time.

Requirements

  • Candidates must be within 24 credit hours of completing their master's degree
  • Must be in good academic standing
  • Must be working full-time or part-time. 

Fall and Spring disbursement to be applied to the student account to be used toward the cost of attendance. Renewable for up to two additional years provided the recipient continues to meet the stated criteria above.


Cynthia Steiger Beery Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Scholarship Fund

For declared majors in the Speech-Language Pathology Department.

Requirements

  • Candidates must have financial need
  • Must demonstrate the passion for and potential to succeed in the academic program and as a speech-language pathologist.

The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided recipients continue to meet the criteria. Fall and spring disbursements.


Frances Morton Holbrook Graduate Scholarship Fund

For declared majors in Business and Marketing Education.

Requirements

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

GSA Merit-Based Scholarship

For full- or part-time matriculated graduate students.

Requirements

  • Must completed first semester
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
  • Essay (no more than 1,000 words) explaining why you deserve scholarship consideration and how the scholarship will contribute to your academic development.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation authored by members SUNY Buffalo State faculty, administration, or staff testifying to your academic accomplishments and potential for graduate success.

More Information


Joseph and Mary Jean Daly Varga '43 Graduate Scholarship

This award fund provides one or more awards to graduate students in the Exceptional Education Department.
 

Requirements

  • Must be enrolled for at least two graduate courses in exceptional education
  • Must have a GPA of 3.8 or higher
  • Provide three references
  • Submit a personal essay that addresses:
    -the importance of being in a teacher preparation program designed for individuals with special needs
    -the candidate’s philosophy of education for students with special needs
    -a description of community-based initiatives in which the candidate has participated that serve students with special needs (e.g. tutoring, after-school programs, respite care, etc.)

The scholarship is not renewable. Fall disbursement.


Dr. Judith Bondurant-Utz Early Childhood Scholarship Fund

Available to graduate students with declared majors in early childhood special education.

Requirements

  • Candidates must have at least one semester remaining in their graduate studies
  • Must demonstrate excellence in achievement in early childhood special education
  • Must demonstrate dedication to the field of early childhood special education
  • Must demonstrate potential and excellence in teaching young children with special needs

Recipients may receive the scholarship more than once but must reapply annually and be considered the best candidate by the selection committee. Fall only disbursement.


Dr. Keith M. Henderson Endowed Scholarship Fund

Provides one scholarship annually to a student with a declared major in public administration.

Requirements

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

Margaret A. Grant Graduate Scholarship Fund

Available to graduate students in Adult Education with an emphasis in Nutrition.

Requirements

  • Must have completed 12 credit hours towards a master’s degree
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Demonstrate leadership ability and professional intent

Richard Kaltenbach Art Education Graduate Student Scholarship

Provides one scholarship annually to a graduate student enrolled with a declared major in art education

Requirements

  • Good academic standing

The scholarship is renewable to the recipient for up to three additional years. If no graduate student meets the above criteria, an undergraduate student who meets the criteria may receive the scholarship for one year; the scholarship is not renewable to an undergraduate student.


Ron Brown/ITEC Scholarship

Available to students who have demonstrated excellence in technology and computers.

Requirements

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • A declared major
  • Evidence of having worked during the semester to support themselves
  • Essay discussing how they envision applying their Buffalo State studies in their chosen field upon graduation.

Finalists are interviewed by the selection committee. Not renewable.


Dr. Stanley E. Sheets and Dr. Indie S. Sheets Graduate Scholarship in Education

Provides one scholarship annually to a graduate student pursuing a degree in education.

Requirements

  • Good academic standing

The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years as long as the recipient continues to meet the stated criteria.

These scholarships are not managed by Buffalo State.  All questions should be posed directly to the individual organization offering the scholarship.

Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo 

  • A limited number of scholarships are available for graduate students in the fields of architecture, arts, engineering, medicine, nursing, piano, environment, and wildlife.

Discover Student Loan $10,000 Scholarship

  • Open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. 
  • Must at least sixteen (16) years old at the time of entry. 
  • Entrants must also be high school senior students who will be or university students who are enrolled at least half-time in a bachelor's or associate's degree program or graduate program at an eligible school or parent/legal guardians of students that satisfy the above eligibility requirements.

Kosciuszko Foundation

  • Multiple scholarships available to graduate students of Polish Descent

The State University of New York's Graduate Tuition Scholarship Opportunity Program may provide disadvantaged graduate students with tuition support when they are matriculated in a graduate program.

How to Apply

Complete the Certification of Participation in EOP/SEEK/HEOP form as part of your online application. Once verification is received from your degree granting undergraduate institution, your application fee will be waived. Information about applying for a scholarship will be sent to you upon this verification.

Awards

Students who are awarded an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) tuition scholarship may receive a tuition scholarship each semester through master's degree completion.

  • It is the student's responsibility to pay all university fees and mandatory student health insurance
  • The scholarship is available for the fall and spring semesters only.
  • EOP scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA each semester to continue to receive funding.
  • EOP scholars must complete a Tuition Scholarship Award Application to apply for the tuition scholarship each semester funding is sought.

Eligibility

Applicants must be

  • Graduates of SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) or of the City University of New York's Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) Program, or the Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP). Certification of participation by the campus administering the undergraduate program is required.
  • New York State residents.
  • Matriculated students in both the fall and spring semesters.
  • Pursuing their first master's degree. Students pursuing a second master's degree are not eligible for the EOP scholarship.