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Scholarships and Awards

At Oswego, we don’t just offer admission — we offer the opportunity of a lifetime. Apply to Oswego and be considered for incredible scholarships and awards. Oswego awarded a whopping $9.6 million last year. Check out the awards for students entering in fall 2023.

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Academic scholarships for first-year students:

First-Year Merit
» $2,000 or $6,450 Annually

First-Year Merit Scholarships are competitively awarded to full-time, first-year students with a strong record of achievement in a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Academically qualified recipients receive funding at $2,000 or $6,450 per year — the latter of which is the value of a full meal plan.

  • Stackable with:
    NYS Excelsior Scholarship, Go Oswego Awards or Go Oswego International Awards
  • Renewal highlights:
    3.00 GPA or higher
    On-campus housing or continuing approved exemption
  • 4-year total:
    $8,000 (Dean)
    $25,800 (Presidential)

Flagship Match Plus Meals
» Flagship Match + $2,000 or $6,450 Annually

Flagship Match Plus Meals Scholarships are awarded to full-time, first-year students. Oswego will meet or beat your resident in-state tuition and fees at flagship public universities in 8 states: CA, CT, IL, NJ, MA, NH, PA or VT.  Additionally, academically qualified recipients receive funding at $2,000 or $6,450 per year — the latter of which is the value of a full meal plan. Learn more at oswego.edu/match.

  • Renewal highlights:
    3.00 GPA or higher
    On-campus housing or continuing approved exemption
  • 4-year total:
    Flagship Match + $8,000 (Dean)
    Flagship Match + $25,800 (Presidential)

Academic scholarships for transfer students:

Transfer Merit
» $1,000 Annually

Transfer Merit Scholarships provide $500 per semester — renewable for up to 6 semesters or graduation — whichever occurs first.

  • Stackable with:
    Go Oswego Awards or Go Oswego International Awards
  • Eligibility highlights:
    3.00 to 3.49 GPA
    Full-time transfer students
    24+ college credits
  • Renewal highlights:
    3.00 GPA or higher
  • 3-year total:
    $3,000

Transfer Achievement
» $1,500 Annually

Transfer Achievement Scholarships provide $750 per semester — renewable for up to 6 semesters or graduation — whichever occurs first.

  • Stackable with:
    Go Oswego Awards or Go Oswego International Awards
  • Eligibility highlights:
    3.50 GPA+
    Full-time transfer students
    24+ college credits
  • Renewal highlights:
    3.00 GPA or higher
  • 3-year total:
    $4,500

Awards for out-of-state first-year and transfer students in non-match states:

Go Oswego Awards
» $3,000 Annually

Go Oswego Awards provide accepted full-time out-of-state students with $1,500 per semester — renewable for up to 8 semesters (6 semesters for transfers with 24+ college credits) or graduation — whichever occurs first. Must be a U.S. resident. Students residing in CA, CT, IL, NJ, MA, NH, PA or VT do not qualify for this award. See instead Flagship Match Plus Meals.

  • Stackable with:
    First-Year Merit, Transfer Merit or Transfer Achievement Scholarships
  • Renewal highlights:
    On-campus housing or continuing approved exemption
  • 4-year total:
    $12,000 (First-Year)
  • 3-year total:
    $9,000 (Transfer)

Go Oswego International Awards
» $4,000 Annually

Go Oswego International Awards provide full-time international students with $2,000 per semester — renewable for up to 8 semesters (6 semesters for transfers with 24+ college credits) or graduation — whichever occurs first.

  • Stackable with:
    First-Year Merit, Transfer Merit or Transfer Achievement Scholarships
  • Renewal highlights:
    On-campus housing or continuing approved exemption
  • 4-year total:
    $16,000 (First-Year)
  • 3-year total:
    $12,000 (Transfer)

Additional Scholarships
Application and eligibility requirements may apply to the following awards.

Co-op Scholarship

First-year students entering SUNY Oswego in the fall term, with a desire to participate in a paid, full-time, long-term (12-26 weeks) employment opportunity, can apply for a renewable Co-op Scholarship. Co-op Scholarships are awarded in an amount $1,000 above the total of First-Year Merit Scholarships at the Presidential level. This is currently $7,450 for a maximum award potential of $29,800 over four years. If awarded a Co-op Scholarship, this award will replace your Presidential Scholarship. Eligible majors include accounting, biochemistry, business administration, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, finance, human resource management, marketing, or software engineering. Learn more

Possibility Scholarship

The Possibility Scholars program makes an exceptional academic program available for first-year applicants to Oswego’s fall term. When combined with existing need-based aid, Possibility Scholars will receive a substantial scholarship worth over $25,000 per year, enabling scholarship recipients to study abroad, engage in research and graduate with little or no debt after an exceptional undergraduate experience. Only New York state students entering STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) are eligible for consideration, with priority given to high-achieving students with significant financial need. Learn more

The Excelsior Scholarship

Tuition-free college for middle-class New Yorkers
Through New York State’s Excelsior Scholarship program, a greater number of New York students and families are eligible to earn free tuition at SUNY Oswego. Interested students will need to file an Excelsior Scholarship application. Learn more

Scholarship Deadlines

Applications received before January 15 for fall term applicants and November 15 for spring term applicants will get priority consideration for SUNY Oswego scholarships and awards.

Find full eligibility and renewal details at:
Financial Aid: Scholarships and Full Policy