Scholarships at SUNY Empire State University

The David Yamada '99 Labor Relations Scholarship was established by alumnus David C. Yamada for a deserving graduate student with financial need in the Labor and Policy Studies Program at SUNY Empire State University. Yamada earned his master's degree from SUNY Empire State College in 1999 and is a professor of law and founding director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School. Students are considered automatically after submitting the Foundation General Application on ESCFAST. Eligible applicants must be matriculated, have completed at least eight Empire credits, meet academic progress standards, and file the FAFSA when need is required.

The Stewart's Shops/Dake Family Scholarship for Nursing supports SUNY Empire State University nursing students through the generosity of Susan and Bill Dake and Stewart's Shops. The award is intended for students in the School of Nursing who meet SUNY Empire Foundation scholarship eligibility, including matriculation, at least eight credits completed at Empire, successful academic progress, and financial need demonstrated through the FAFSA. Students are automatically considered after submitting the ESCFAST General Application. The scholarship reflects the Dake family's commitment to expanding nursing education access across New York.

The Sonia Rita Usatch '97 Creative Writing Scholarship was established by alumna and author Sonia Rita Usatch to support SUNY Empire State University students with financial need, with preference for students enrolled in a creative writing degree program. Usatch, class of 1997, is a poet, playwright, and essayist whose work spans medical humanities teaching and literary publication. Recipients are selected through the ESCFAST General Application among students who meet Foundation criteria including matriculation, at least eight Empire credits, satisfactory academic progress, and FAFSA completion. The award is $2,000.

The Jesse Eisenberg Veterans Fund was established by actor Jesse Eisenberg, son of former SUNY Empire faculty member Barry Eisenberg, to support students studying veterans services or veterans enrolled in any academic program who have distinguished themselves through military service. Recipients are selected through the ESCFAST General Application among graduate and undergraduate students who meet Foundation eligibility, including matriculation, at least eight Empire credits, and satisfactory academic progress. The award provides approximately $1,400. Both part-time and full-time students may qualify under standard Foundation rules.

The SUNY Empire Go Blue Scholarship is provided to assist current SUNY Empire State University undergraduate and graduate students who meet Foundation scholarship eligibility through the ESCFAST portal. The award supports matriculated students who have completed at least eight credits at Empire, demonstrate successful academic progress including completion of at least 80 percent of enrolled coursework, and file the FAFSA when need-based criteria apply. Both part-time and full-time students may qualify. Applications for 2026-27 scholarships are submitted through the General Application with a December 31 deadline for Spring awards.

The Victor '06 and Sherri Wilson Endowed Scholarship for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals supports undergraduate SUNY Empire State University students pursuing degrees in nursing and allied health fields. Victor Wilson returned to college in Westchester County and earned his bachelor's degree at age 59; the fund honors his mentors and helps other students achieve similar goals. Recipients are selected through the ESCFAST General Application after meeting Foundation requirements including matriculation, eight Empire credits, satisfactory academic progress, and FAFSA completion when need applies. The endowed award provides approximately $1,100.

The Dyson Foundation Scholarship in Nursing supports undergraduate or graduate nursing students at SUNY Empire State University who have financial need, reside and work in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, or Ulster Counties, and intend to continue living and working in the Mid-Hudson Valley in a health care profession after graduation. Repeat awards may be made each year until graduation when recipients remain academically successful and continuously enrolled. Students apply through the ESCFAST General Application after completing Foundation eligibility requirements including matriculation, eight Empire credits, and FAFSA submission.

The Corrou Family Scholarship at SUNY Empire State University is awarded to a custodial single parent with demonstrated financial need who meets SUNY Empire Foundation scholarship eligibility. Applicants must be matriculated, have completed at least eight credits at Empire, maintain successful academic progress including completion of at least 80 percent of enrolled coursework, and complete the FAFSA. Both part-time and full-time students may apply through the ESCFAST General Application. The award amount varies based on available fund earnings and student need.