The Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program is designed to direct aid to graduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus communities. This program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and are consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law.
The Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program is a SUNY-wide initiative that offers fellowships to students who have been admitted to graduate or professional study.
Please carefully review all the information before applying
Program Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program (GDFP) candidates are required to:
- Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status;
- Demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education;
- Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities;
- Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.
Required Materials
- Resume
- Essay: In 600 words or less, please respond to the following essay prompt: “Please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through your personal, academic, or work experiences and/or how you might demonstrate your potential to contribute to enhancing diversity efforts within the SUNY Oswego campus communities. You may include experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers.
Preference will be given to candidates who are:
From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans. Please also describe how each of the preference categories chosen are applicable to you and your related experience thereof. (Required if any preference categories are selected).
Commitment to Inclusivity:
These scholarship programs are open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and are consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Graduate Diversity Fellowship Scholarship Program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
Here's how to apply:
- Log in to the SUNY Oswego Applicant Portal
- Choose to Start an Application
- From the dropdown menu, select 2025 Graduate Application
- In the second dropdown menu, select Graduate Funding Opportunities
- Then, click the button that says Create Application
- Under Application Type, select Graduate Fellowships
- Under Select Fellowship, choose Diversity Graduate Fellowship Program
- Complete the application and submit