Scholarships at Purchase College for 2008 -2009

Students applying to Purchase College should be aware of our two distinct categories regarding scholarships - Institutional Scholarships and Private Scholarships.

Institutional Scholarships are made available directly from Purchase College by the Purchase College Foundation.

Private Scholarships are provided from many independent sources outside of Purchase College. All scholarships are grants, meaning the money provided is applied against your college Statement of Student Accounts, and will not need to be repaid.

Purchase College Institutional Scholarships

Institutional scholarships come from the generous contributions of donors to Purchase College. The donor community is comprised of individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.

During the 2006 -2007 academic year, the Purchase College Foundation provided scholarships to over 150 entering students. These awards recognized outstanding academic and/or artistic achievement. While some scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit only, others require documentation of financial need as well. To be considered for scholarships based on financial need you must complete a FAFSA, no later than February 1, 2008.

There is no formal application process at Purchase College for institutional scholarships. Scholarship criteria vary for students in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and students in the Visual and Performing Arts. All scholarships are based upon the availability of funds.

Liberal Arts and Sciences

New Students in Liberal Arts & Sciences

The Office of Admissions determines scholarship eligibility for freshmen based on high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Transfer students are evaluated for a scholarship on the basis of college GPA. If you have questions, contact the Office of Admissions at (914) 251-6300.

Continuing Students in Liberal Arts &Sciences

You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to be considered for need and merit scholarships, and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 for merit only scholarships. Awards are made by Division Heads based on your prior academic year grade point average information. The Head of your Division will notify you if you are eligible for a scholarship award.

Visual and Performing Arts

Need and Merit Scholarships for New and Continuing Students in the Arts

The Directors of the Visual and Performing Arts programs award scholarships to students in their respective programs. New students are frequently reviewed for scholarship eligibility at the time of portfolio review, audition or interview.

Merit Scholarships for New and Continuing Students in the Arts

These scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of demonstrated artistic ability or potential. The Director and faculty of your program make scholarship determinations. New students are considered for eligibility at the time of their portfolio review, audition or interview.

What can I do to increase my chances of getting a Purchase College Institutional scholarship?

Even though you meet the criteria for consideration, your division may have other requirements. Please check with your division for more specific information. Your chances for consideration of scholarship funds are usually better, if you declare a major and file a FASFA no later than February 1st.

Division Telephones
Humanities, (914) 251-6550
Conservatory of Music, (914) 251-6700
Undeclared Majors, (914) 251-6487
Conservatory of Dance, (914) 251 6800
Natural & Social Science Division, (914) 251-6631
The School pf Art + Design, (914) 251-6750
Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film, (914) 251-6830
Liberal Studies, (914) 251-6500

Private Scholarships

Researching Private Scholarships

Many students overlook the opportunity to receive private scholarships as a source of financial assistance. Check with your employer, a parent's employer, or a community organization that assists its local residents. Don't overlook your high school guidance counselor for scholarships from your hometown and associated organizations. There are scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students in all areas of study.

Getting started

It is never too late to begin your search for scholarships. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Don't overlook small foundations. Identify your strengths. Keep track of meritorious awards you have received, community volunteer work you have performed, jobs you have worked and special interests and hobbies that make you unique.

Disclaimer regarding private scholarship websites

Neither the Office of Admissions nor the Office of Financial Aid at Purchase College endorses or recommends any scholarship service or private scholarship web site. We encourage you to be cautious of scholarship search organizations which charge a fee. There are many free scholarship search sites available. The scholarship search sites listed here may provide useful information.

Private Scholarship Search Sites

College Board - www.collegeboard.com
Collegenet - www.collegenet.com
FASTWEB www.fastweb.com.
Federal Money - www.fedmoney.org/
FinAid -  www.finaid.org/scholarships/
InternationalStudent.com - InternationalStudent.com
Wired Scholar - www.wiredscholar.com

Information Beyond Scholarships

These additional sites provide useful information:

www.collegenet.com College compendium site, with links to school sites and special sections on financial aid and scholarships.

Also visit www.finaid.com for a Financial Aid information page maintained by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Visit www.ed.gov/studentaid/. You will find helpful information about the types of federal financial aid available.

International students should also check www.finaid.org.

Some private scholarships awarded to Purchase College students in recent years include:

Alfred N. Erk Scholarship
American Chemical Society Scholarship
American Foreign Service Association
Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation
Community Foundation of the Elmira-Corning Area
Ford Salute to Education Scholarship
Gates Millennium Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship
New Haven Scholarship Fund
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
John and David Rigsby Memorial Fund
Julia Dyckman Andrus Memorial Scholarship
Kiwanis Club of Northport
McDonald's Owners and Operators Assoc. Scholarship
Mellon Bank's Free to a Degree Sweepstakes
National Merit Scholarship
Negro Educational Emergency Drive
New York State Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
Prudential Securities Citizen Award
Screen Actors Guild Foundation
Wal-Mart Foundation