The Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship is offered by the State University of New York (SUNY) to continue its commitment to supporting and retaining a diverse student body that reflects the population of the State of New York.

The application will be available in early 2025.

Eligibility requirements for new or returning students

To participate in the Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship, candidates are required to: 

1. Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status, and 
2. 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. 

Preference will be given to candidates who are from a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (those whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.

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.

Application requirements

• A completed and signed application.
• A letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, advisor, teacher, coach, etc. that can either be attached to the application or emailed to tmarshall@mvcc.edu.
• A copy of your high school or MVCC transcript (may be unofficial).
• In 600 words or less respond to the prompt: “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.”

Any questions about this scholarship can be directed to Dr. Todd Marshall.

This scholarship program 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.