Freshmen Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

Academic scholarships are based on your three-year cumulative high school average (freshman through junior year) and your highest SAT combined score or ACT composite score of tests taken by December 31. Academic scholarships range from $11,000 to $23,000 per year and are renewable for four years. If you qualify for an academic scholarship, you will be notified with your admissions decision letter. The following values are for new, incoming freshmen in the 2016-2017 school year.

Ignatian Scholarship

$23,000 per year for four years of full-time study. 

Trustee's Scholarship

$21,000 per year for four years of full-time study. 

Dean's Scholarship I

$17,000 per year for four years of full-time study. 

Dean's Scholarship II

$15,000 per year for four years of full-time study. 

Benefactor's Scholarship I

$12,000 per year for four years of full-time study.

Benefactor's Scholarship II

$11,000 per year for four years of full-time study. 

Specialized Scholarships

In addition to the general scholarships offered to prospective freshman in the 2016-2017 academic year, Canisius College has continued its commitment to affordable education with scholarship awards for students with special interests:

Army ROTC

​Canisius participates in the Army ROTC program which offers scholarships to college-bound students interested in military service. Click here for more information. 

The Army ROTC Scholarship can be used for either full tuition & fees, or as room & board scholarship, it also provides a book stipend, and a subsistence (living allowance) while enrolled in college. There are several types of scholarships available.

High school students can begin the application process following their junior year in high school and have until January 10th of their senior year to initiate an application. If you have questions about the application process, contact 716-888-3239.

Art History Scholarship

Canisius College offers art history scholarships for new students planning to major in art history.

Awards of $2,000 are available to incoming freshman or transfer students. This scholarship is in addition to any merit scholarships earned and is renewable for four years. 

Requirements

Note: there is no separate application form.
-Admission to Canisius College as a full-time student.
-Letter of application from the student, describing extent of experience with art history and outlining reasons for planning to major or minor in the discipline.  
-Two letters of recommendation from teachers, including one which discusses the student’s exposure to and experience with art history.
-Interview, either in person or by phone, with the Canisius art history faculty. Interviews will be arranged after other scholarship materials are received.

Optional Criteria

-Score of three or above on the Advanced Placement Art History exam.
-Grade of B or above in a high school art history course. Students who receive art history scholarships will be expected to major or minor in art history, maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and to participate in art history activities.

Reference letters should be sent to:

Art History Scholarship Chair
Fine Arts Department
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208-1098

Deadline

February 1, 2017

MLK Scholarship

Social justice is an integral part of Canisius College and our Jesuit heritage, which is grounded in the philosophy of “men and women for others.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was at the forefront of social justice in America and we honor his life and his

MLK Eligilbility 

New students will complete an application for consideration to the MLK Program. Students from all backgrounds and income levels are eligible for the Martin Luther King Scholarship/Grant. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their past academic performance, a written essay, their personal achievements, their involvement in community service and their commitment to the ideals of Dr. King. An application is available online. MLK scholarships are renewable each year for qualified students.

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Semester Requirements

Students who are awarded the MLK Scholarship may renew their scholarship for four years while studying at Canisius. The scholarship is administered by the Canisius’ Opportunity Programs for Education (COPE) office. The following criteria must be met by students each year in order to receive the scholarship award of $1,000 per year:

-Cumulative GPA of at least 2.25
-Five hours of service per semester in a community setting that fulfills a social justice mission
-MLK scholars will meet with a COPE mentor twice per semester to select service placements, and to monitor personal and academic progress
-For more information on financial aid, grants, and scholarships, please visit the Canisius College Financial Aid Office.

All MLK students are entitled to services provided by the COPE office unless otherwise specified.

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Apply

Music Scholarship

Awards of $2,000 are available to incoming freshman or transfer students. This scholarship is in addition to any merit scholarships earned and is renewable for four years.

It is not necessary to be a music major or minor to apply for a music scholarship.

Criteria

-Admission to Canisius College as a full-time student 
-High school music performance experience (solo or ensemble)
-Scholarship application and reference letters
-Solo audition 
-Vocal: Two contrasting styles of music (two classical or one classical and one musical theater); Accompaniment required; Sight-singing
-Instrumental: Two contrasting styles of music (selections of movements or etudes are acceptable); Major and minor scales; Sight-reading

References

Include two letters of reference. One should be from a music teacher. Other suggested sources include high school principal, teacher, guidance counselor, community/church leader.

Send letters to:

Music Scholarship 2017
Fine Arts Department LY 406
Canisius College 
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14208-1098

Audition

Applicants will be invited on campus for an audition and interview. The scholarship committee will make final selections of scholarship recipients. (Students residing outside a 300-mile radius may audition by CD. Contact the Fine Arts Dept. for requirements.)

Conditions

-Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
-Active participation in one of the Canisius College performance ensembles
-Membership in Music Scholar's Club

Deadline

February 1, 2017

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Apply

 

Say Yes Program

Canisius College proudly participates in the Say Yes Buffalo program. Say Yes Buffalo provides comprehensive academic, social-emotional, and financial support to enable every student to achieve his or her potential. Canisius College has a limited number

 

-Reside in the city of Buffalo
-Have been accepted to Canisius College
-Complete grades 9-12, in consecutive years, at a Buffalo public or charter school located in the city
-Graduate from a Buffalo public or charter school located in the city of Buffalo 
-Enroll full-time at a Say Yes college within one year of high school graduation.
-Apply for all federal and state financial aid programs (FAFSA and TAP)

apply 

Studio Art Scholarship

Awards of $2,000 are available to incoming freshman or transfer students. This scholarship is in addition to any merit scholarships earned and is renewable for four years.

Criteria

-Admission to Canisius as a full-time student.
-Submit scholarship application and reference letters.
-Submit a link to your online portfolio (with password, if password protected) OR flash drive of 15 works in any medium, created within the last two years and labeled (your name, size, media, date completed).

References

Two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselor, community/church leader.  One of the two letters should be from an art teacher familiar with the applicant's work who can comment on the student's developing art skills. Letters of recommendation should be sent to: 

Studio Art Scholarship 2016
Fine Arts Department
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY  14208-1098

Conditions

-Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
-Enter Canisius with intent to minor in studio art.
-Active four year participation in ArtsCanisius Promotion Club.

Deadline

February 1, 2017.

Recipients

After review of completed application by the scholarship committee, students will be notified by mail.

 

Apply

Urban Leadership Learning Community Scholarship

The Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC) Scholarship is a competitive, four-year renewable scholarship covering 50-100 percent of a student’s tuition, room/ board and fees.

Mission of the ULLC Program

Through the Urban Leadership Learning Community Program, Canisius College seeks to fulfill the Jesuit and Catholic tradition of being “men and women for others.” The program aims to create the next generation of leaders by focusing on students from populations that historically have been denied access to positions of influence and power in the community. The purpose of the scholarship is to help finance one’s education, while taking into account demonstrated financial need for students with an interest in promoting diversity and an inclusiveness in learning, living, and problem solving. Qualified ULLC students will have an interest in promoting diversity and inclusiveness on campus and in the community. The ULLC scholarship program is looking for independent-thinking, self-motivated students committed to their personal success and to that of greater metropolitan Buffalo, NY. Students will also seek to develop their learning potential through team-learning, mentorship, leadership training and involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Through these activities, students are expected to achieve and hold leadership positions in the campus community.

Eligibility

Successful Candidates Will:

-Demonstrate leadership potential and have an established commitment to their community
-Express willingness to promote diversity and inclusiveness inside and outside of the classroom
-Be a member of a population that historically has been denied access to positions of influence (e.g. first-generation college students) 
-Possess a high school average of 85 percent or higher
-Show an SAT combined score of 1000 or higher (critical reading and math only) or ACT composite score of 22 or higher
-Be a resident of the greater metropolitan Buffalo area
-Demonstrate high financial need (must file for state and federal financial aid using FAFSA);
-Be able to live on campus for four years.

Benefits of the ULLC Program

-Unique, collaborative learning program enables students to learn from peers as well as Canisius faculty.
-Focused internships, study groups and leadership training help develop professional skills.
-Cultural programming provides a well-rounded college experience.
-Competitive, four-year scholarships cover 50-100 percent of tuition room, board and fees depending on the quality of the application and demonstrated financial need.

Apply