scholarship success

Free Tuition With the College Scholars Program

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An excited group of twelve students from various ulster county high school hold action poses and smiles.

Getting good grades in high school doesn’t just look good to colleges. It can also get you a free ride to SUNY Ulster with the College Scholars Program. Students who maintain a status in the top 10% of their high school class qualify for free tuition upon getting their diploma.

A fair skinned girl with blonde hair sits in a brick walled reading room. She wears a deep blue hoodie with stars on it and has a pair of green headphones hanging around her neck. She sits at a desk with a pile of books to her left and leaning her head on her hand which is propped on the desk. In front of her she has an open faced, large, hardcover book with a small bright green apple sitting on top of one of the open pages.

College scholars have a significant step ahead of the other students they are joining at college. Not only are they extraordinarily studious and devoted to learning. They’ve also earned the chance to get up close and personal with Dr. Al, our college president. While all other students eventually have the same opportunity, it’s a bit different for these few. College scholars are privy to a small meeting with executives. During which everyone is introduced and the program awards are given out. Their footholds on campus are strong before they start courses since they’ve made like-minded friends ahead of time.

Get Your Head in the Game Early

Mary Sommers was a recipient of this scholarship thanks to her hard work and diligence. Before she became a collegiate, she always made sure to maintain the best grades and study habits. She says, “It’s something that I’ve always worked for; the option to go to SUNY Ulster for free was so important and attainable.” Her family inspired her from a young age to be an excellent student and make the most out of her potential. They’ve given her the foundation she needs to attain her desired masters degree in child development so she can become a guidance counselor one day. As for where she will end up, she says, “I don’t know exactly where it will take me, but it’s going to be far.”

Stay Focused on What’s Important

A dark skinned man sits at a mac computer and holds his hands on the mouse touch pad and keyboard. He is wearing a grey shirt with a dark blue collar, a watch, and has an earring in his right ear. We cannot see his face

Another conscientious college scholar, Bradley Westervelt, currently uses the program’s funding toward his music degree at SUNY Ulster. He realizes that the program has had a big impact on his education and life. He says, “I definitely believe I was able to achieve more as a student because of my tuition being funded by the school. I think SUNY Ulster is a great place to go to college. I’ve had really wonderful teachers and many cool experiences since coming here.” The time Bradley spends at SUNY Ulster is in preparation to transfer. He wants to earn a Bachelor’s degree before starting his career as a music instructor.

Something to Aspire To

So for those of you high school students and parents out there, make sure to keep those grades up and the motivation high! The chance to attend one of the top five community colleges, as ranked by BestColleges.com, is nothing to pass up on. The even bigger opportunity to attend that college for free is certainly something to pursue. Mary summed it up well when she stated: “I strived and worked hard to make it into the program, and I think that anyone can set the same goal. As long as you make your deadlines and do what you need to do, you can do it too.”

See the application here.

a cartoon notepad lays open with two arms laying on top of it, one holding a pen. There is also a cup of coffee present and a white smart phone with a dark blank screen. The notepad is blank.
Photo by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

SUNY Ulster COIL Scholarship Recipients Travel To Mexico!

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COIL students from Mexico greet SUNY Ulster students

SUNY Ulster Students Travel to Mexico!

During the week of March 16th, 2018, SUNY Ulster students Kia Ward-Fashion Design Major, Kailey Campbell-Human Services Major, John Bove-Independent Studies/Fashion Major, and Natasha-Pico Aulicino-Business and Entrepreneurship Major all traveled to Obregon, Sonora, Mexico (the second largest city in northern Mexico) as recipients of the Sheldon COIL Academic Travel Scholarship!

Group of students and staff posed holding "Welcome Sign" for SUNY Ulster students arriving at airport in Mexico.

The Students Arrival!

The recipients were welcomed by students, professors, and staff of Universidad de la Salle NoroEste! The recipients had already met some of these students when 25 of the ULSA students traveled to SUNY Ulster to meet their COIL collaboration team in October 2017.

Large group of students sit around a rectangular cafeteria table smiling at the camera.

Young male SUNY Ulster student speaking at the front of a classroom during a presentation. Group of students in classroom sitting in desk arranged in an oval in deep discussion.

SUNY Students In The Classroom.

The SUNY Ulster students spent their week in Mexico attending classes and presenting projects to the Universidad de la Salle NoroEste classes they had COIL-ed with previously. The time outside the classroom was spent sightseeing and making lifetime friends with their host families! This was a great opportunity to dive deep into the wonderful and diverse Mexican culture, as well as utilize global citizen skills as ambassadors of SUNY Ulster.

Three female students posed to resemble the large owl mural they are standing in front of.

Group of nine smiling students posed in front of wall of Mexican artifacts. Photo of eight students and one staff member posed closely together smiling. Twelve students smiling on the sidewalk in Mexico. A group photo of students and staff posed in a classroom setting.
A huge thank you to all the hardworking individuals who helped to make this trip a possibility!

10 Tips for Scholarship Success

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Woman at the 2016 SUNY Ulster scholarship ceremony holding her award and smiling
It’s now time to apply for scholarships here at SUNY Ulster! The Ulster Community College Foundation General Application is open for students to fill out, and doing so enters them into a pool where they can possibly be matched with one or more scholarships. Both on campus and off, there are many types of scholarships: academic scholarships, need-based (financial) scholarships, sports scholarships, club or member-based scholarships, and more. Here’s some tips for increasing your odds of getting one!

#1: Start ASAP and Apply Early

Many scholarships have early application deadlines, so don’t miss out on these opportunities. You can even apply for college scholarships before you’ve started college! SUNY Ulster has an application period every year in the winter for returning and graduating students and every summer for incoming freshmen.

#2: Search Locally

Don’t stop at just Ulster; look in your community, too! Local banks, grocery stores, clubs, businesses, organizations, and churches are all potential sources for community scholarships. Also check state-funded scholarships. States have lots of money to disperse when it comes to providing education.

#3: Read the Requirements

If you apply to a specific scholarship, make sure you are eligible right from the start, so you’re not wasting your time. Also, never pay to apply for a scholarship, since these are usually scams.

#4: Follow Instructions Carefully

Errors can quickly get your scholarship application denied. Proofread it. Have someone else proofread it as well. Double check your answers to make sure you completely and accurately responded to all questions.

#5: Neatly Presented, Neatly Packaged

If your scholarship application must be mailed, use certified mail or better yet, FedEx, making your application look as professional as possible.

#6: Communicate

Make sure the application is complete and correct. If you are not sure about something in the scholarship application, don’t hesitate to ask someone at the Foundation or whoever is in charge of scholarships where you are applying for one.

#7: Check for School Specific Scholarships

If you’re graduating, check with the college you would like to attend. Usually, there are many school-specific scholarships available. Some scholarships offered through the Ulster Community College Foundation specify a preferred transfer school, so be sure to include your plans in the application to better your chances of getting matched up with these scholarships. Earning scholarships based on a transfer college can also help you make your school choice when the time comes for your final decision.

#8: Be Active, Stay Active

Being in a sports team, club, or doing some type of community service will always better your chances of receiving a college scholarship. Numerous scholarships offered through the Foundation stress community involvement as a requirement.

#9: Maintain your GPA

Keep your grades up. A higher GPA will increase your eligibility for most scholarships, on top of increasing your chances of receiving funds through Financial Aid.

#10: Ask a Foundation Employee for Help

Visiting a Foundation employee in the Clinton 203 suite can help you learn more about traditional scholarships that might be available to you, as well as any aid or special scholarships that fall outside of those covered by the General Application, like Lights for Learning.

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Even if you don’t think your chances of getting a scholarship are likely, at least fill out the Ulster Community College Foundation General Scholarship Application; there is one for current students and prospective students. If you have any other questions about Ulster’s scholarships, contact the Foundation by emailing dvoraksg@sunyulster.edu, by phone at 845-687-5293, or stop by the offices in the Clinton 203 suite on campus.