Scholarships/Grants

St. John Fisher University offers a generous academic scholarship program to full-time undergraduate students. 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 and Awards (Transfers Only)

Transfer Achievement Scholarships and Awards 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.

Community College Partnership Award (Transfers Only)

New transfer students with an Associate’s degree or at least 24 or more college credits from one or more of our partnership community colleges enrolling full-time, are eligible for a $1,000 per year award.

First-Year Student Merit Scholarships

All first-year 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 (if submitted). 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 and are applied to tuition only. Full time matriculated undergraduate students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 8 semesters (4 years). A student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and meet the academic requirements for the scholarship awarded.

For more information on the scholarships, please visit the First-Year Scholarships page.

Service Scholars Program (First-Year Only)

The scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who exhibit a commitment to service through activities in their schools, places of worship, non-profit agencies, and in their communities. This scholarship program provides awards equal to one-half of the total yearly cost of Fisher’s tuition, and room and board for four years. The Service Scholarship may not be combined with other merit-based scholarship programs available at the University.

Recipients of the Fisher Service Scholarship will be high school seniors who plan to attend St. John Fisher University directly from high school. They will have performed community service throughout the four years of high school in their community, school or church. Applications are available in mid-September through the Office of First-Year Admissions. Once enrolled at Fisher, in order to retain their awards while engaged in full-time study as matriculated students, Service Scholars are required to participate in a two-course learning community, attend a community-engaged learning seminar, complete one community-engaged learning course, and make a commitment to community service hours. Upon graduation, students will have a degree in their major field of study and a Certificate in Service Leadership

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

First-Generation Scholars Program (First-Year Only)

The First-Generation Scholars Program is designed to provide financial assistance to high school students who exhibit a high degree of motivation and academic potential and whose parents did not graduate from a post-secondary institution. Applications are available in mid-September through the Office of First-Year Admissions. Recipients of the First-Generation Scholarship will receive yearly awards of one-half the total cost of tuition and room and board. In order to retain their awards while engaged in full-time study as matriculated students, First-Generation scholars are required to complete a community engagement workshop, at least 30 hours of community service during each of the succeeding seven semesters, complete the two-course learning community, and complete the service learning seminars offered by the program. They will also participate in a learning community and an academic mentoring program in the Rochester community.

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

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

Fisher Urban Scholar Award (First-Year Only)

The Fisher Urban Scholar Award pledges $40,000 per student over the course of four years to any high school student who resides in the City of Rochester and enrolls full-time as a first year student at Fisher. The award may be combined with any other scholarships for which a student qualifies.

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 beginning in 2019-2020 receive an $8,000 scholarship over four years ($2,000/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. For information and qualifications about the Honors Program, please visit the Honors Program page.

Flower City Award

All new first-year and transfer out-of-state students, as well as students from Nassau and Suffolk counties, 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 first-year or transfer students with a grandparent, parent or sibling who is currently enrolled full-time, or who is an alumnus/alumna of the University will automatically receive a Legacy Award of $1,000 per year. This award may be combined with any other scholarships for which a student qualifies.

Rochester Urban League Black Scholars Scholarships

St. John Fisher University 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.

St. John Fisher University Restricted and Endowed Scholarships

Each year the University awards restricted and endowed scholarships, made possible through the generosity of hundreds of individuals and organizations. Awards are made by the St. John Fisher University Office of Student Financial Services or St. John Fisher University 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.

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

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

St. John Fisher University Grants

These grants are awarded to students on the basis of financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at 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.