Say Yes Buffalo Tuition Scholarship

Program Type: Last-dollar tuition scholarship for public and charter school students

Geographic Scope: Buffalo, NY (expanding to Niagara Falls, NY)

Focus Areas:

• Covers tuition costs for students attending SUNY/CUNY colleges
• Also available for private college partners with income restrictions

Eligibility Requirements

• Continuous Enrollment: Must be continuously enrolled in Buffalo public or charter school since beginning of 9th grade through high school graduation
• High School: Must graduate June 2013 or later
• Refugee Exception: Refugees with I-94 documentation are eligible even if enrollment after 9th grade begins
• Military Service: As of 2024, eligible students can receive scholarship if they enter college after military service
• GED: As of 2024, eligible students who earned a GED are eligible
• Grade Entry Chart:
  • K entry: 100% tuition coverage
  • Grades 1-3 entry: 95% tuition coverage
  • Grades 4-6 entry: 80% tuition coverage
  • Grades 7-9 entry: 65% tuition coverage
• Income Requirements (Private Colleges): Full tuition guarantee for families with annual income less than $75,000 (with some exceptions)

What the Scholarship Covers

• Tuition only - does NOT cover:
  • Room and board
  • Books and supplies
  • Fees (except as noted below)
  • Summer or winter courses
  • Online courses (unless attending full-time with Federal/State aid)

Academic Requirements

• Maintain satisfactory academic standing with college
• Successfully complete minimum 12 credit hours per semester
• Maintain GPA of 2.0 or better each semester
• Students on academic probation remain eligible but must meet requirements next semester or lose eligibility

Award Duration

• Four-Year Colleges: Up to 12 semesters
• Two-Year Community Colleges: Up to 6 semesters
• Gap Years: Students may take up to one gap year or two non-continuous semesters and maintain eligibility

Financial Aid Requirements

• Must complete Federal FAFSA application
• Must complete New York State TAP application
• Must complete verification process if applicable
• Scholarship calculated as: Tuition balance after Federal, State, and institutional aid deductions

Payment Details

• Fall semester payments made after October 15
• Spring semester payments made after February 15
• Funds sent directly to colleges
• Late fees should be waived by institutions while awaiting Say Yes funds
• If student balance exceeds Say Yes award, student responsible for difference

Participating Institutions

• SUNY campuses
• CUNY campuses
• Private Compact Colleges (see website for full list and income-specific criteria)

Special Notes

• Scholarship guidelines updated October 2024 to "recommit" to mission and serve students with greatest need
• Study abroad covered only if administered by Say Yes school; only normal tuition costs covered
• Can transfer between Say Yes colleges with account update
• No annual reapplication required; verification of information required yearly

Contact Information

Address: 1166 Jefferson Avenue, Suite A, Buffalo, NY 14208

How to Apply

1. Registration Period: Fall of senior year of high school (timeline varies by school)
2. Online Registration Steps:
   • Click "Create a New Account" button on scholarship portal
   • Follow available instructions to complete registration process
   • Say Yes staff available at each school to assist with questions
3. Account Access:
   • Returning applicants can "Login to my Account" at any time
   • Note: Students who graduated prior to March 2021 must create new account
4. Required Additional Steps Beyond Registration:
   • Complete New York State financial aid application (TAP)
   • Complete Federal financial aid application (FAFSA)
   • Apply to and be admitted to a Say Yes partner college
   • Notify Say Yes of college choice by logging back into account and updating "College Interests" section on Enrollment tab
5. Ongoing Requirements:
   • Login annually to verify accuracy of information
   • Maintain satisfactory academic standing
   • Complete minimum 12 credit hours per semester
   • Maintain GPA of 2.0 or better

Required Materials

• FAFSA application (Federal)
• NYS TAP application (State)
• College admission

Support Available

• Say Yes staff at each school
• Help with completing FAFSA/TAP/Say Yes applications and paperwork
• Status check on applications available through support team