Through the Office of Graduate Admissions, Graduate Diversity Fellowships are awarded annually to qualified graduate students. Awards are typically a partial tuition waiver. 

The Graduate Diversity Fellowship 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 effects in their academic programs and activities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be accepted/enrolled students in a SUNY Poly graduate degree program and US Citizens/Permanent Residents. Applicants must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also 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.
• This 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.
• Current and returning students must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The award is intended to support full-time students.

Awards are subject to the availability of state funds.

Application Process

Within a written essay of 600 words or less, please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your campus and/or local community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, student’s potential to contribute to enhancing diversity efforts in their academic programs at SUNY and campus communities; experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers.

Preference will be given to candidates who are (Optional to self-disclose): 

• History of overcoming an adversity
• From a low-income background (e.g, Pell-eligible as undergraduates)
• First-generation college student (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree)
• AmeriCorps Alumni
• U.S. Veterans
• Current SUNY Poly students or alumni

Interested Students are welcome to apply using the Graduate Diversity Fellowship Application.

Application Deadlines

The submission deadline is December 1 for Spring admission and July 1 for Fall admission.
Awards are subject to the availability of state funds.

Questions can be directed to Graduate Admissions, graduate@sunypoly.edu