Graduate Diversity Fellowship

Application for Spring 2025
Fill out the General Application then complete the Supplemental Questions for this opportunity.
Deadline: Dec 15

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.

Applications at this time are based on ANTICIPATED funding from SUNY.
Funding can only be applied to fall and spring semesters.
Summer and Winter sessions are excluded.

Eligibility:

• Be matriculated in a graduate program at SUNY Potsdam
• Be enrolled for* full-time* study (minimum of 9 graduate credits 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 for full-time study (minimum of 9 graduate credits)
• 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 9-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 Financial Aid as soon as possible as this action will affect your aid award
• Graduate Diversity Fellowship funding is not available for summer or winterim semesters

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

These scholarship programs are open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and are consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.