Navigating CUNY SPS Scholarship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide

Pursuing higher education is a significant investment, and scholarships play a vital role in making it accessible for many students. At the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS), a variety of scholarships are available to support students in achieving their academic goals. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship opportunities at CUNY SPS, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes.

The Importance of Scholarships at CUNY SPS

Scholarships provide critical tuition support for students at CUNY SPS, helping them to manage the costs associated with higher education. These funds not only alleviate financial burdens but also reflect the specific interests and desires of donors who are committed to supporting the next generation of professionals.

Types of Scholarships at CUNY SPS

CUNY SPS offers several types of scholarships, each with its own set of criteria and funding mechanisms. These include endowed scholarships, annual scholarships, and specific program-based scholarships.

Endowed Scholarships

An endowed scholarship is established with a substantial gift, ensuring its long-term sustainability. A gift of \$100,000 or more is required to establish an endowed scholarship. Donors can establish a named scholarship endowment with a pledge commitment and a minimum gift of \$25,000, with a commitment to grow the scholarship fund to \$100,000 over a three- to five-year period. Once the \$100,000 level is reached, the fund is permanently invested in the CUNY Investment Pool.

The CUNY Investment Pool currently has a 4% annual spending policy. Scholarship awards are made from the earnings of the fund, beginning one year after investment. The principal remains intact, and earnings above the 4% are applied to the principal. Subsequent gifts to the scholarship are also applied to the principal, further increasing its value and impact.

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Annual Scholarships

Annual scholarships are established with a gift of \$1,500 or more. With an initial gift of \$1,500 and a pledge commitment of \$4,500 in total, a donor can establish named, annual scholarships. These scholarships may be awarded for as many years as the funds are donated, providing immediate financial assistance to students.

Featured CUNY SPS Scholarships

CUNY SPS offers a range of scholarships, each with specific eligibility requirements and award amounts. Here are some notable scholarships available to CUNY SPS students:

ACE (Achieve Your College Education) Scholarships

Endowed by Alan Fishman, ACE Scholarships underwrite 100% of tuition and follow recipients through degree completion. The scholarship is open to undergraduate students who reside in New York State, are within 6 - 12 credits of graduation, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, are enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits, and demonstrate financial need.

As an ACE Scholar, students are expected to contribute to the CUNY SPS community through mentoring new students, supporting them through orientation, communicating regularly, and providing motivation. ACE Scholars also volunteer at CUNY SPS events, such as degree program information sessions, career services presentations, or commencement.

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship, developed by the Alumni Engagement Council (AEC), is available for graduate students. The fund offers financial assistance to students who graduate with their bachelor's degree at CUNY SPS and then continue in the School to pursue a master’s degree.

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Tyerence Brown, a two-time graduate of CUNY SPS (BS in Business ’16 and MS in Business Management and Leadership ‘20) and an active member of the AEC, established this grant. The scholarship aims to dismantle barriers, foster inclusivity, and pave pathways for groundbreaking innovations and leadership. All donations to the Alumni Legacy Scholarship are welcomed.

Bob Martin Memorial Scholarship

Established by Dr. Zeita-Marion Lobley, Director of Student Services, in memory of her late husband, the Bob Martin Memorial Scholarship awards \$1500 based on financial need and academic merit.

Charlotte W. CUNY SPS Summer Scholarship

The CUNY School of Professional Studies Summer Scholarship is available to undergraduate students enrolled in the Summer Session 1 and/or 2 semester. Priority will be given to students whose final semester is Fall and who have not received a CUNY SPS scholarship award in previous semesters. Applicants must complete a Financial Need Statement. Award Amount: up to $500.00.

Eugene Walters Scholarship

Endowed by the Eugene Walters Family Foundation, the Eugene Walters Scholarship provides varied award amounts based on financial need and academic merit.

Founding Dean's Scholarship

The Founding Dean's Scholarship, endowed by Dean John Mogulescu, awards \$500 for part-time students and \$1500 for full-time students, based on financial need and academic merit.

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NYCHSRO Medical Coding Scholarship

In partnership with the New York Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (NYCHSRO), the NYCHSRO Medical Coding Scholarship supports students through their Medical Coding certificate tenure.

Otilia Abraham Memorial Scholarship

Established by Dr. Sunderland.

Patti Lieberman Scholarship for Early Childhood Education

Endowed by Patti Lieberman, a CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) Foundation board member, the Patti Lieberman Scholarship for Early Childhood Education provides varied award amounts.

Russ Peterson Technology Scholars

Created in memory of Russell Peterson and endowed by his family, the Russ Peterson Technology Scholars program provides varied award amounts based on financial need and academic merit.

Sunderland ADHD Support Scholarship

The Sunderland ADHD Support Scholarship provides financial assistance to students at CUNY SPS who participate in a structured ADHD coaching or support program and demonstrate meaningful engagement, skill development, and ongoing use of planning tools that foster academic and personal success. Students with a demonstrated commitment or contribution to the educational preparation of study on ADHD and/or research focused on neurodivergent individuals are also eligible to apply. The award amount is up to \$1,500 towards the cost of an approved ADHD coaching and support program.

Timothy Meade Memorial Scholarship

Endowed by Tracy L. Meade, Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Innovation, in memory of her late brother, the Timothy Meade Memorial Scholarship provides varied award amounts. Priority is given to eligible applicants with a disabled family member.

The Excelsior Scholarship: New York State's Tuition Program

New York State offers the Excelsior Scholarship, a program that provides tuition assistance to eligible students. To be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, students must meet several requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test.
Have a combined federal adjusted gross income of \$125,000 or less.
Be pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term (with at least 3 credits in the 15-week term) and complete at least 30 credits each year, applicable toward their degree program.
If attended college prior to CUNY SPS, have earned at least 30 credits each year, with no break in attendance, applicable toward their degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship.
Be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award.
Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a NYS award that you have previously received.
Execute a contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship may receive up to \$5,500 or actual tuition, whichever is less. The maximum Excelsior Scholarship is reduced by the amount of other student financial aid awards, including a New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award and/or federal Pell grant.

A recipient of an Excelsior Scholarship is eligible to receive award payments for not more than two years of full-time undergraduate study in a program leading to an associate's degree or four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years if the program of study normally requires five years in a program leading to a bachelor's degree.

Recipients must live in New York State for the length of time they received the award. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the conversion of the award to a no-interest loan.

Students are strongly encouraged to educate themselves about the Excelsior Scholarship to determine if it is the right opportunity for them and their family. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

To receive payments for each term, students must meet the credit requirements. Those who fail to do so will be decertified for that term, which causes a balance owed to the school by the student and subsequent ineligibility for the scholarship. In other words, if a student does not register or complete at least 12 credits in that semester or fails to complete 30 credits by the end of the academic year, the student will lose eligibility for Excelsior for that term.

General Scholarship Application Information

When applying for CUNY SPS scholarships, students should keep the following information in mind:

FAFSA and TAP: The Office of Scholarships highly recommends the completion of the annual FAFSA (fafsa.ed.gov - Federal Code 004765). Undergraduate New York State residents should also complete the TAP application at tapweb.org/totw/ CUNY SPS’s TAP code is 1420.
Impact on Other Aid: A scholarship may affect a student's eligibility for other forms of financial aid because the amount of aid a student may receive in one academic year or semester has limits. In many cases, a scholarship award is a credit towards tuition.
Application Assessment: Scholarship decisions are based on a careful, overall assessment of each student’s academic performance, as well as the additional information provided in the scholarship application.
Application Instructions: Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully read the application instructions and to write a strong personal statement.
Scholarship Timing: Scholarships are offered only for the fall semester and may not be deferred. Recipients must use the scholarship in the year(s) for which it is awarded.
Financial Availability: Scholarships and awards are subject to financial availability, and the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) reserves the right to reduce or rescind any scholarship or award if financial circumstances dictate.
CUNY Employees: CUNY employees receiving tuition waivers are not eligible for CUNY SPS scholarships.

How to Apply for CUNY SPS Scholarships

Only one application is needed when applying for any CUNY SPS annual scholarships. The application process typically involves completing an online application form, providing academic transcripts, writing a personal statement, and submitting any required supporting documents.

Additional CUNY-wide Opportunities

In addition to CUNY SPS-specific scholarships, a variety of scholarship opportunities are available to CUNY students across the university system. Students are encouraged to explore these options to maximize their chances of receiving financial assistance.

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