Graduate Diversity Fellowship

The Graduate Diversity Fellowship is designed to increase the diversity of Potsdam’s graduate student population.
The Fellowship is available on a competitive basis to eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents with proof of citizenship.

Application for 2023-2024 opens May 19, 2023

Applications at this time are based on ANTICIPATED funding from SUNY.
Students with completed applications by the deadline who are enrolled in summer, fall and spring will be reviewed.
Award may be retro awarded for summer and fall.

Fill out the General Application then complete the Supplemental Questions for this opportunity.
Deadline: January 1

Eligibility:

• Be matriculated in a graduate program at SUNY Potsdam
• Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at SUNY Potsdam each semester
• Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident (Proof of citizenship will be required)
• Must be a New York State Resident
• Adequately meet the diversity criteria set forth in the personal statement request below

Awards:

• This funding is consider grant funding
• Diversity Fellowship funding is used to help pay toward billed tuition and fees for the semester the award is given.
• It is the student’s responsibility to reconcile all college invoices and pay in full
• Fellowship amounts are awarded on a term basis.
• New applications must be submitted each semester and awards will be made according to funds available and the number of students meeting the program criteria.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA in order to be considered for future funding

How to Apply:

• Complete this Graduate Diversity Fellowship application
• In your personal statement address how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body in the program for which you are applying. This may include a statement indicating how you have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to achieving success in higher education.
• Request one (1) letter of recommendation (in addition to those needed for admission) specifically addressing how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body.

Re-Evaluation:
Due to the highly competitive nature of this program, participation will be re-evaluated on a term basis according to the amount of money available and the number of students meeting the program criteria.
To be considered for future funding, students should:

• Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at SUNY Potsdam each semester
• Maintain “Good Academic Standing” which is defined as maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Complete Graduate Diversity Fellowship Funding application with request for renewal of funding by selecting the Continuing Support application type

Additional Notes:

• The Diversity fellowship is only applicable for graduate courses taken at SUNY Potsdam, which fulfill requirements for the student’s plan of study
• If a student drops below the required 6-credit enrollment at any point within a semester that the fellowship is awarded, the student may be subject to losing the award and being disqualified from future funding.
• The student will then become liable for full graduate tuition charges.
• Contact One Stop as soon as possible as this action will affect your aid award

Any questions, please connect with the Graduate and Continuing Education office by phone at (315) 267-2165 or email at graduate@potsdam.edu.