All matriculated students enrolled in an MVCC degree or certificate program are eligible to apply, regardless of financial aid eligibility.

The MVCC Foundation offers scholarships twice each year:

• November 15 Deadline
  Application window: September 1 – November 15
  Awards are applied to student accounts for the Spring semester (January)
• April 1 Deadline
  Application window: February 1 – April 1
  Awards are applied to student accounts for the Fall semester (August)

Some scholarships, such as the Wilcox Presidential Scholarship or certain Airframe & Powerplant Technician scholarships, have unique deadlines. Always review each scholarship listing carefully for specific dates and requirements. 

Please visit our Wilcox Presidential/Exceptional Scholarship webpage for detailed information about scholarships offered by the MVCC Foundation for students graduating from New York State high schools in the top 10% of their class.

International students studying on an F-1 visa are eligible to apply for MVCC Foundation scholarships and do not need to submit a FAFSA. On the scholarship search page, look for scholarships that do not require New York State residency, as those are open to international applicants. 

Yes. All applicants (except international students studying on a visa) must complete the FAFSA for the current academic year by the scholarship deadline. FAFSA information is used by the MVCC Foundation as an indicator of financial need for scholarships that consider financial circumstances as part of the selection process. Some scholarship amounts may also be adjusted based on a student’s other financial aid, such as grants or tuition awards, to ensure that total aid does not exceed allowable limits or tuition costs. 

Some scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement; check each listing for details. You must meet the required GPA when you apply and maintain it until the scholarship is awarded. For example, if a scholarship requires a 2.0 GPA and you apply in April for a Fall award, you must have and keep at least a 2.0 through the summer to remain eligible. If you’re in your first semester at MVCC, your midterm grades will be used during the selection process.

For scholarships designated for returning adult students, you must be at least 25 years old on the date of the scholarship application deadline to apply.

You may apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for, provided you meet the donor-established criteria for each one. Each scholarship must be listed by name on your application – general phrases like “all scholarships” cannot be accepted.

For most MVCC Foundation scholarships, you only need to complete one scholarship application and list the name of each scholarship you want to be considered for on that form. There’s no “apply to all” option, so be sure to include each scholarship by name.

Note: The general scholarship application form cannot be used to apply for the Wilcox Presidential Scholarship or the Wilcox Exceptional Scholarship. These scholarships require different application forms that are available on the Wilcox Presidential/Exceptional Scholarship webpage.

No. To be considered for an MVCC Foundation scholarship, you must meet all of the eligibility criteria exactly as stated. Even if no other students apply, the Foundation is legally obligated to follow the donor’s criteria when selecting recipients. Applications that do not meet the stated requirements cannot be reviewed.

Use the Scholarship Search tool to filter by deadline, student status, and area of study. “All Majors” scholarships are open to all students, while major-specific scholarships are listed under the name of the Academic School that houses your program (for example, Nursing scholarships appear under “Health Sciences”).

Apply for scholarships based on the major you will be enrolled in during the semester of the award. For example, April 1 deadline scholarships are awarded for the Fall semester, so apply according to your Fall major, not your current one.

Please visit our How to Apply webpage for detailed instructions, a list of required application materials, and a link to the online scholarship application form. 

A small number of scholarships require additional materials, such an essay or more than one recommendation letter. Check each scholarship listing carefully for specific requirements. 

Yes. You may include optional materials such as a resume, personal statement, list of extracurricular activities, or additional recommendation letters to support your application.

It’s best to ask for your recommendation letter at least two to three weeks before the scholarship deadline. This gives your recommender enough time to write a thoughtful letter and submit it on time. 

Staff in the MVCC Foundation Office cannot contact recommenders or request letters on your behalf. It is the student’s responsibility to request and secure their own recommendation letter. Please note that MVCC faculty and staff are not required to provide a letter – it is up to the recommender whether they agree to write one.

No. You only need one recommendation letter, which can be used to apply for multiple scholarships unless a scholarship listing specifically states that more than one letter is required. 

Recommendation letters do not need to be sealed and may be submitted with your application or separately by your recommender, as long as they are received before the scholarship deadline. You may reuse a letter that is less than one year old as of the scholarship deadline. Letters older than one year may be submitted as supplemental materials, but they will not count as your required recommendation letter. 

All required materials must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be considered. Applications that are incomplete or submitted late, including those missing recommendation letters, essays, or transcripts, cannot be reviewed. Be sure to plan ahead and request your materials early.

Each scholarship listing identifies the committee that reviews applications and selects winners based on the donor’s criteria. Most scholarships are awarded to one or two students per deadline, but this varies by award. MVCC Foundation scholarships are competitive, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection.

After you submit your application, it will be reviewed by a staff member within 5 business days to confirm basic eligibility. You will receive an email sent to your MVCC student email address with eligibility comments. About one month after the deadline, you will receive another email with final scholarship decisions. Scholarship recipients will also receive an award packet in the mail.

Most MVCC Foundation scholarships are credited directly to your MVCC student account. Some scholarships may be restricted to specific expenses (ex: tuition or textbooks). A small number of awards, such as those for graduating students in the final semester of their degree program, are issued as checks. 

No. Full-tuition scholarships cover only tuition based on the NYS resident rate. Students are still responsible for fees, textbooks, housing, meal plans, transportation, and other expenses.

No. Scholarships awarded by the MVCC Foundation cannot be transferred to another institution. The only exception is for scholarships specifically designated for students graduating from MVCC at the end of the current semester that are awarded as checks.