Unless otherwise indicated, information about these programs and other funding opportunities can be obtained from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Ave., Albany NY 12255. You may also call them at 1-888-NYS-HESC or visit their website at www.hesc.ny.gov.

Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Access-VR)
Eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services is based upon: (1) the presence of a physical or mental disability which, for the individual, constitutes or results in a substantial handicap to employment; and (2) the reasonable expectation that vocational rehabilitation services may benefit the individual in terms of employability. Further information is available from the nearest NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) or www.access.nysed.gov/vr/.

Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship
This program provides an annual award for students, either at the bachelor or master’s degree level, who enter into a contract with HESC agreeing to teach full time for five years in the field of math or science in a middle or secondary school in New York. The annual award cannot exceed SUNY tuition. Awards will be made upon the successful completion of the academic year.
To apply contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372 or
http://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/nys-math-and-science-teaching-incentive-scholarships.html.

Veterans Tuition Award
This program provides financial assistance to help Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or other eligible combat veterans studying on either a full-time or part-time basis at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution. For full-time study (12 credit hours), a recipient shall receive an award of up to the full cost of undergraduate tuition for New York state residents at the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. For part-time study (3-12 credit hours), awards will be prorated by credit hour. Graduate students can receive a total of 3 years of payment for full-time or part-time study. To apply contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372 or www.hesc.ny.gov/content.nsf/SFC/Veterans_Tuition_Awards.

Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program
This scholarship offers awards on a competitive basis to applicants who are registered professional nurses enrolling in graduate programs that will qualify them as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty. To be eligible, applicants must: be legal residents of New York State for at least one year; be US citizens or eligible non-citizens; be registered nurses professionally licensed to work in New York State; have been accepted in an approved master’s or doctoral level nursing faculty preparation program at an approved institution in New York State; maintain satisfactory academic progress; and complete and return a service agreement in which they agree to practice as nursing faculty in New York State for 4 years. Awards cover the cost of attendance up to $20,000 annually or the average SUNY cost of attendance, whichever is less. Payments are available for up to three years of study. Recipients must complete their graduate program within three years of receiving this scholarship. To apply contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372 or
www.hesc.ny.gov/content.nsf/SFC/Senator_Patricia_K_McGee_Nursing_Faculty_Scholarship_Program

SUNY Graduate Assistantship Program
Graduate Assistantships are awarded each academic year to selected students who have been formally admitted to a graduate program at SUNY Poly. These awards are typically a cash stipend (note: stipend dollars are considered as income and are therefore taxable). Students awarded a graduate assistantship must enroll for a minimum of nine credit hours of graduate coursework per semester. Graduate assistantships carry a weekly work obligation of teaching, research or administrative responsibilities. The number of work hours per week will vary depending on the monetary value of the assistantship.

Candidates seeking a graduate assistantship should search via SUNY Poly’s job board. Once the assistant has been selected, the formal appointment to the position will be processed through the Office of Human Resources. The assignment of an assistantship will not be made prior to a formal offer of admission.

A student may receive a maximum of two years of support from state funding while pursuing a graduate degree (upon discretion of the department and academic standing). A 3.0 GPA must be maintained while on the assistantship.

Graduate assistants are expected not to engage in outside or other on-campus employment during the term of their appointment. Exceptions based on educational need (not financial need) may be authorized by the Provost after being recommended by the student’s department chairperson.

Graduate assistants are expected to provide their usual services during the period of the academic year except for holidays and recesses. Upon completion of the assistantship appointment, each assistant and their supervisor must certify that the assistant has satisfactorily fulfilled the assignment and duties of the position by submitting a performance evaluation at the end of each semester. Renewals for a future semester will be based on the performance evaluation and academic standing.

SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program
SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowships are awarded each academic year to selected students who have been formally admitted to a graduate program at SUNY Poly. The fellowship offers financial support in the form of a New York State tuition waiver. Students awarded a fellowship must enroll for a minimum of nine credit hours of graduate coursework per semester. There is no work obligation tied to the fellowship award.  The number of awards each semester is subject to the availability of funds. A 3.0 GPA must be maintained while on the fellowship.

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be US citizens or have permanent resident status. Graduate applicants that are interested in being considered for a graduate fellowship should complete the SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Application responding to the following: “How will you contribute to the diversity of the student body in the program for which you are applying, including having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education?” An undergraduate GPA of approximately 3.0 or higher is required for fellowship consideration.

The recommended fellowship application deadline is July 1 for fall consideration and December 1 for spring consideration. Fellowship recommendations are made to the Provost through a selection process coordinated by the Graduate Admissions Office. Once the graduate fellow has been selected, the formal appointment to the position will be processed through the Graduate Admissions Office.  The offer of a fellowship will not be made prior to a formal offer of admission.

Graduate Opportunity Program
The Graduate Opportunity Program is for former EOP, HEOP, CD, and SEEK program graduates and reflects SUNY Poly’s concerted efforts to expand educational opportunities to under-served constituencies. The partial graduate tuition scholarship will provide students with financial support to help cover the cost of tuition. Students must enroll for a minimum of nine credit hours of graduate coursework per semester. The number of awards is subject to the availability of funds. Questions should be directed to the Director of Graduate Admissions at 315-792-7347.