Buffalo, NY - Canisius University is building on the success of its Buffalo Promise Scholarship, announcing today the launch of the New York Promise Scholarship. The initiative covers 100% of undergraduate tuition for up to four years for first-year students beginning in fall 2027. By extending the university’s Promise model beyond Western New York, Canisius is expanding access to an affordable, high-quality education for students and families across the Empire State.
“The success of the Buffalo Promise Scholarship has shown that when barriers are removed, students are empowered to realize their full potential,” said Canisius University President Steve Stoute. “Through the New York Promise Scholarship, we are helping ensure that the future of New York State students is defined by their promise and purpose, not by their financial circumstances.”
New York Promise Scholarship Expands Access to Higher Education
The New York Promise Scholarship covers any remaining undergraduate tuition costs after federal, state and institutional aid are applied, ensuring eligible students can attend Canisius without paying out-of-pocket tuition expenses. To qualify, students must:
- Be New York State residents admitted as first-year undergraduates
- Have a household adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less
- Complete the FAFSA and New York State TAP application.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided recipients maintain good academic standing.
The New York Promise Scholarship builds on the momentum of the Buffalo Promise Scholarship, which Canisius launched in fall 2025 to expand college access for eligible students in Buffalo’s 142-ZIP code.
Buffalo Promise Scholarship Demonstrates Strong Demand, Meaningful Impact
Since launching in fall 2025, the Buffalo Promise Scholarship has demonstrated both strong demand and meaningful impact. More than 1,000 students applied for the scholarship in each of its first two years, while the number of students receiving awards increased 16% from fall 2025 to fall 2026. The scholarship is also helping Canisius reach a growing number of first-generation college students, who represented 39% of recipients in fall 2025. That figure rose to 53% in fall 2026.
Combined, the initiative’s first two cohorts represent more than $40 million in four-year tuition support, providing eligible students and families with a more affordable pathway to a Canisius education.
Affordability and Student Success Go Hand-in-Hand
“The response to the Buffalo Promise Scholarship underscores the importance of creating pathways to higher education for students from all backgrounds,” added President Stoute. “But making college affordable is only part of the equation. We know students are most successful when they have access to the resources, support and opportunities they need to help them learn, grow and achieve their goals. That understanding shapes how we invest in the student experience at Canisius and prepare graduates for meaningful lives and careers.”
The New York Promise Scholarship is the latest in Canisius University’s broader commitment to student success. In recent years, the university has invested in programs designed to enhance access, strengthen support and improve student outcomes. These efforts include Canisius Computes, which provides every incoming first-year student with a MacBook Air; Canisius Complete, which ensures students have access to required course materials from the first day of classes; the Golisano Center for Student Success, a centralized hub for advising, career development and student support services; and the Golden Griffin Guarantee, which helps eligible students stay on track to graduate on time.
To learn more about the New York Promise Scholarship or apply, click here.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
