Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program Grant

Scholarship Overview
Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in scholarships to students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
The Northern New York Community Foundation administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program in partnership with the Jefferson Community College Foundation.
Merit award minimum is $1,500 split between fall and spring semesters. The Northern New York Community Foundation will mail scholarship packets to students who qualify for the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program. Class ranking is determined by the high school transcript applicants submit at the time of application for admission to JCC.

Eligibility

The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program awards Jefferson and Lewis County high school seniors who are in the top 15 percent of their graduating class a merit-based scholarship of at least $1,500 for the first two semesters of study at Jefferson Community College.Students may use the scholarship to exclusively pay for student fees, books, room and board, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous non-tuition expenses.Students must earn a 3.0 GPA during their first semester at JCC to be eligible for a spring semester award.How does a student become a Jefferson-Can Community Scholar?Apply for admission to Jefferson Community College by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, which is available now.Complete the New York State TAP and Excelsior Scholarship applications.Complete and return the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program packet from the Northern New York Community Foundation by Friday, May 1, 2026.

Ineligibility

The value of a Jefferson-Can Community Scholar award does not exceed the unpaid tuition balance after all other financial aid — federal, state, outside grants and/or scholarships, including Excelsior — has been applied.