St. John Fisher College offers a generous academic scholarship program that is based on the high school average, strength of curriculum, and SAT or ACT results. The Office of Admissions automatically notifies students who are eligible for academic scholarships. Prospective students should contact the Office of Admissions for specific scholarship program information.

Transfer Achievement Scholarships (Transfers Only)

Transfer Achievement Scholarships are awarded to full-time transfer students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 from all previously attended institutions. All transfer applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships without regard to financial eligibility. For information on the scholarship, please visit the Transfer Scholarships page.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (Transfers Only)

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships are awarded to full-time transfer students who are participating members of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. This scholarship is $3,000 per year for each year a recipient attends Fisher. For information on the scholarship, please visit the Transfer Scholarships page.

Freshman Student Merit Scholarships

All freshmen applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships without regard to financial eligibility. Scholarship eligibility is based on high school grade point average, strength of curriculum, and SAT or ACT scores. Eligible students are automatically notified by the Office of Admissions. Merit awards cannot be combined with the Service Scholars and First Generation Scholarships. Merit scholarships are not available for summer study, are applied to tuition only, full time matriculated undergraduate students, for a maximum of 8 semesters (4 years). A student must be meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and meet the academic requirements for the scholarship awarded.

For more information on the scholarships, please visit the Freshman Scholarships page.

Service Scholars Program (Freshmen Only)

The Fisher Service Scholars Program embodies the spirit of community and caring that is the hallmark of the Fisher experience.

The program recognizes and rewards high school seniors who demonstrate an ongoing interest in serving the needs of others through a commitment to community service. This scholarship program provides awards equal to one-half of the total yearly cost of Fisher’s tuition, fees, and room and board for four years. The Service Scholarship may not be combined with other merit-based scholarship programs available at the College.

Recipients of the Fisher Service Scholarship will be high school seniors who plan to attend St. John Fisher College directly from high school. They will have performed a minimum of 50 hours of community service per year to their community, school or church. Applications are available in mid-September through the Office of Freshman Admissions. Once enrolled at Fisher, Service Scholars are expected to continue their involvement in community service work. Upon graduation, students will have a degree in their major field of study and a certificate in Service Leadership, which prepares them to play a leadership role within their community.

For more information on program requirements, please visit the Service Scholars Program page.

First Generation Scholarship Program (Freshmen Only)

The Fannie and Sam Constantino First Generation Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial and academic assistance to high school students who exhibit a high degree of motivation and academic potential and whose parents did not graduate from college. Applications are available in mid-September through the Office of Freshman Admissions. Recipients of the First Generation Scholarship will receive yearly awards ranging from $5,000 to one-half of resident student costs, depending on demonstrated financial need. They will also work with a faculty mentor throughout their four years, enroll in a freshman seminar course, and participate in an academic mentoring program in the Rochester community.

The First Generation Scholarship may not be combined with other merit-based scholarship programs at the College.

For more information on program requirements, please visit the First Generation Scholarship Program page.

Honors Program

By providing select topics for exploration and creating an environment where students receive personal attention, the Honors Program helps participants expand their thinking and personal limits. Students admitted to the Honors Program receive a $12,000 scholarship over four years ($3,000/year). The invitation to participate in the Honors Program is made after the student is admitted to Fisher. Students who qualify for Honors Program consideration are required to complete an Honors Program application. The Honors Program scholarship may not be combined with the Science Scholars stipend or the Service or First Generation Scholarships. For information and qualifications about the Honors Scholarship, please visit the Honors Program page.

Science Scholars Program

The Science Scholars Program at St. John Fisher College is designed for students who intend to major in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics. Science Scholars receive a $12,000 scholarship over four years ($3,000/year). Students also receive a laptop to use throughout their four years at Fisher. The invitation to participate in the Science Scholars Program is made after the student is admitted to St. John Fisher College. Students who qualify for Science Scholars Program consideration are required to complete a separate application. The Science Scholarship may not be combined with the Honors Program stipend or the Service or First Generation Scholarships.

Flower City Award

All out-of-state new freshman and transfer students will automatically receive a Flower City Award of $5,000 per year. This award may be combined with any other scholarships for which a student qualifies.

Legacy Award

New freshman or transfer students with a parent or stepparent who is an alumnus/alumna of the College will automatically receive a Legacy Award of $1,000 per year. New freshman or transfer students’ enrolled beginning Fall 2017 with a sibling who is an alumnus/alumna of the College will also automatically receive a Legacy Award of $1,000 per year.  This award may be combined with any other scholarships for which a student qualifies.

St. John Fisher College Restricted and Endowed Scholarships

Each year the College awards restricted and endowed scholarships, made possible through the generosity of hundreds of individuals and organizations. Awards are made by the St. John Fisher College Office of Student Financial Services or St. John Fisher College academic departments in accordance with the special criteria of each scholarship. All applicants for financial aid are automatically considered for scholarships for which they meet the established criteria. Because of funding fluctuations or renewals, not all scholarships are available to be awarded in any given year. Further information regarding each scholarship can be obtained by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services at (585) 385-8042.

Foreign Language Scholarship (Freshmen Only)

Two Foreign Language Scholarships are awarded annually to recognize achievement in foreign language as a sound preparation for college work. Scholarship recipients receive $3,000 annually, over four years, if they complete two foreign language courses during their first year at Fisher and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA. For qualifications, please visit the Foreign Language Scholarship page.

Rochester Urban League Black Scholars Scholarships

St. John Fisher College offers scholarships to the best qualified applicants from the Black Scholars Program of the Rochester Urban League. Scholarships may be renewed up to three years for full-time recipients demonstrating satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees.

Tuition Scholarships for Employees of St. John Fisher College and Immediate Dependents

Information on these scholarships is available in the Employee Handbook [pdf].

St. John Fisher College Grants

These grants are awarded to students on the basis of financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://www.fafsa.gov/, and, to a lesser extent, the academic achievement of the applicant. Awards are made on a funds-available basis. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is January 15.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program provides low-interest long-term loans to matriculated students enrolled at least half-time for education expenses. Students must complete the FAFSA application at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. The lender of these loans is the federal government and repayment is to the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, including how to apply, amounts, fees, and interest rates.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program is available to the parents of a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. The student must complete the FAFSA application at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. The parent may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid. Learn more about the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, including how to apply, amounts, fees, and interest rates.

Private Student Loan Programs

Private student loans are unique because the student can borrow this additional loan. However, students who have not established a credit history will be asked to apply with a co-signer. Although interest accrues while the student is in school, the payments on the loan may be deferred until the student ceases enrollment. A private student loan may provide enough funds to enable the student to attend and pay for the college of their choice. The annual loan limits are the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. The terms and conditions of the loan (including interest rate and fees) will be determined by the lender. Private student loan applications are completed directly with the lender of the student’s choosing. Students may want to consider this option only after exhausting all other financial aid options such as government loans and scholarships.

Federal College Work-Study Program (FWS)

The Federal College Work-Study Program provides on-campus jobs for students with financial need. Positions are posted on the Center for Career and Academic Planning website and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is the student’s responsibility to find an employment position. Students must complete the FAFSA application at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. Students earn at least the current federal minimum wage, but the amount might be higher depending on the type of work and skills required. Students are paid every two weeks for hours worked. Because they receive direct payment, FWS wages are not credited to a student’s semester bill.

Additional outside scholarships information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Services website or by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services at (585)385-8042.

New York State Programs

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)

This program is designed assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development. Any resident of New York State who has a substantial emotional, mental, or physical disability who can become employable may apply for assistance. Recipients in a college are reviewed annually on an individual basis. Individuals should contact the local office regarding application procedures. More information can be found at http://www.acces.nysed.gov/.

Federal Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits

Qualified veterans of the United States Armed Forces admitted for study at St. John Fisher College may be eligible to receive military benefits from the following Chapters: 30, 31, 33 (Post 9/11), 35, 1606, or 1607. Some benefits are transferable to spouses and children. More information regarding veteran affairs and each of the Chapters can be found on the Veterans Benefits page.

US Bureau of Indian Education: Higher Education Grant Program

The grant application is available from the education officer of the tribe in which the student is affiliated with or possesses membership. The student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student must be a member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a member of an American Indian tribe which is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs because of their status as Indians, must be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education which provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts or science degree, and must demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial aid office. For grants to be awarded in successive years, the student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree and show financial need.

More information can be found on the Bureau of Indian Education website.

 Other Federal Programs

There are also a large number of different special-purpose federal programs: direct aid, scholarships, loans, traineeships. Many are administered through specific institutions for post-secondary education, and for this reason the Office of Student Financial Services is the single best source of information on the subject.

Most of these dozens of programs would be of interest to relatively small numbers of students and prospective students, by virtue of need, special interest, or both. Some are available only to graduate or professional students in certain fields. Some carry with them periods of obligated service.

Additional information on federal financial aid programs may be found at the U.S. Department of Education website (www.ed.gov) or at Studentaid.ed.gov.

International students who wish to apply for admissions to St. John Fisher College must submit the required documents for freshman or transfer admissions, depending on their status.

Students whose native language is not English must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants with permanent resident status are encouraged to take the TOEFL if English is not their native language. International applicants are not required to take the TOEFL if they have earned an associate’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution.

For more information, visit Freshman Admissions for International Students or Transfer Admissions for International Students.

A student who earns a total of 30 credits through the Advanced Placement program, the International Baccalaureate program, the Excelsior College Examinations, the College-Level Examination Program, or a combination of these programs may become an instant sophomore. If a student earns fewer than the 30 credits needed for sophomore status, the credits will still be applied toward his or her degree. Thus, the student can still reduce the time needed to achieve his or her undergraduate degree by taking summer courses or a course overload during the academic year.