We invest millions in institutional scholarships each year to help make a SUNY Oswego education more affordable. Eligible Fall 2027 first-year and transfer students are automatically considered for renewable merit scholarships as part of the admissions process.
First-year scholarships
| Scholarship | Annual Award | Typical high school GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $6,000 | 96 or higher |
| Dean's Scholarship | $4,000 | 93–95 |
| Merit Plus Scholarship | $2,500 | 90–92 |
| Merit Scholarship | $750 | 85–89 |
GPA ranges reflect the typical academic profile of scholarship recipients and do not guarantee an award. First-year scholarships are available to eligible students who live on campus and continue to meet all eligibility and renewal requirements.
Transfer scholarships
| Scholarship | Annual Award | Cumulative college GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Achievement Scholarship | $1,500 | 3.50 or higher |
| Transfer Merit Scholarship | $1,000 | 3.00–3.49 |
Transfer scholarships are renewable for up to three years or until graduation, whichever comes first. Renewal requirements apply.
Laker Visit Award
Visit campus and receive a $500 award.
Attend an eligible campus visit and enroll as a first-year student to receive $500, awarded as $250 per semester. Eligible visits include Admitted Student Days and select admissions events.
Additional scholarship opportunities
Possibility Scholars
Possibility Scholars
Scholarship support, research and global experiences for future STEM leaders
Possibility Scholars provides coordinated scholarship and grant support for tuition, fees, housing and dining, along with faculty-guided summer research and support for an international experience.
Eligible students must be New York State residents pursuing an approved STEM major, complete the FAFSA and be nominated by an educator.
Scholarships for online students
First-Year Online Merit Scholarship
$1,000 per year
This scholarship provides $500 per semester to eligible first-year students accepted into a fully online undergraduate major.
Students must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first. Recipients must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA for renewal.
Students who receive this award typically have a high school GPA of 90 or higher.
First-Year Online Horizon Scholarship
$500 per year
This scholarship provides $250 per semester to eligible first-year students accepted into a fully online undergraduate major.
Students must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first. Recipients must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA for renewal.
Students who receive this award typically have a high school GPA between 84 and 88.4.
Scholarships for out-of-state and international students
Destination Oswego Scholarship
$9,000 per year / $4,500 per semester
Beginning Fall 2027, the Destination Oswego Scholarship is available to eligible full-time first-year and transfer students from outside New York State or international locations.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a non-New York State resident, international student, or otherwise not eligible for in-state tuition
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Reside in on-campus housing
On-campus housing is required to receive the Destination Oswego Scholarship. Students must reside on campus even if they would otherwise qualify for an exemption from the University’s general on-campus housing requirement.
For first-year students, the award is renewable for up to eight semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first. For transfer students, the award is renewable for up to six semesters or until graduation, whichever comes first. Students must continue to meet all renewal requirements, including full-time enrollment.
Scholarships for students from The Bahamas and Washington, D.C.
Up to $15,000 per year
SUNY Oswego makes a respected New York public education more affordable and accessible for eligible students from The Bahamas and Washington, D.C.
Students are automatically considered for:
- Destination Oswego Scholarship: $9,000 per year
- Merit scholarships: Up to $6,000 per year
- Total scholarship value: Up to $15,000 per year
No separate scholarship application is required.
Destination Oswego recipients must live on campus and continue to meet all eligibility and renewal requirements.
New York State financial aid
The NYS Excelsior Scholarship covers SUNY tuition for New York State residents whose family household adjusted gross income does not exceed $125,000.
Eligibility and renewal details
Apply by January 15 for fall admission or November 15 for spring admission to receive priority scholarship consideration.
Scholarship policies and eligibility requirements may vary by term of entry.
See SUNY Oswego’s Scholarship Policy and your signed commitment form for terms and details.