Scholarship

Opportunities

college graduates throwing their caps in the air

Supporting Future Generations

What could be more important for the future of the Adirondack region than increasing access to education? Creating educational pathways aims to ensure all students in the Adirondacks have access to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives. Scholarships can play a pivotal role in helping students advance themselves, no matter their life stage or path. Donors establish competitive scholarship funds created to benefit specific institutions or fields of study. These scholarships are distributed in partnership with schools across our region and community committees with guidelines set forth by fundholders.

Apply to a Scholarship

Each scholarship fund has unique criteria. Explore our available scholarships and find additional information below.

Deadline June 1 annually

Alfred M. Aseel Legacy Scholarship

This fund is available to non-traditional students attending an accredited college, university, trade school or certification program in the US. The scholarship will support applicants from Tupper Lake or its immediate surrounding area (e.g. Piercefield, Conifer) wishing to pursue an educational experience that allows them to “re-invent” themselves and their future.

The fund was established to honor the memory of Alfred Aseel’s parents, Alfred Abraham and Fadwa Khechen Aseel, to support continuing education for non-traditional students from the Tupper Lake area. Learn more about Alfred Aseel here.

Gifts to this fund are welcome – you can donate here.

  • The fund is available to non-traditional students attending an accredited college, university, trade school or certification program in the US.
  • The scholarship will support one student from Tupper Lake or its immediate surrounding area (e.g. Piercefield, Conifer) wishing to pursue an educational experience that allows them to “re-invent” themselves and their future.
  • Demonstrated integrity and good character will be guidelines for selection. In addition, personal commitment and potential will be considered as key characteristics allowing the students to succeed.
  • The applicant must have a 2.5 GPA or higher to be eligible.
  • The annual award is renewable for a total of four years if the recipient maintains the eligibility criteria stated above. Renewal applicants will be required to complete agreement forms, submit a letter of reflection on the past school year, and must submit documentation certifying their GPA and enrollment status each year.
  • Grant maximum of $5,000 annually not to exceed a total of $20,000.

To submit an application please use our Online Grants Manager. You can share this information sheet on what we’re looking for from your references.

Learn More + Apply

Deadline May 15 annually

Allen Family Career Advancement Grant

This grant is an award for specific credentialing, licensure, internship, degree, or certificate program in a chosen field of work. It is available to assist working residents of Essex, Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport or Willsboro NY looking to further their career ambitions.

Gifts to this fund are welcome – you can donate here.

  • This award is available to assist working residents of Essex, Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport or Willsboro NY looking to further their career ambitions
  • Applications are available here. All completed applications must be returned either by mail to Adirondack Community Foundation, PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946 or by email to leslee@adkcommunityfoundation.org.
  • Scholarship amounts are between $250 – $5,000 a year. The grant may be renewable if the recipient furnishes evidence of satisfactory progress in their program.
  • We ask that grant recipients attend the annual awards reception and respond to communications from the Selection Committee in a timely way. 
  • The Allen family likes to keep track of the recipients of this award and encourages those grantees to share news of their progress in your chosen field of study. We gratefully accept electronic photos and stories about your experiences.
Learn More + Apply

Deadline May 15 annually

Allen Family Scholarship

This scholarship is available for a graduating senior at either Willsboro Central School or Boquet Valley Central School attending an accredited two-or four-year college, university, technical or trade school. 

Gifts to this fund are welcome – you can donate here.

  • This $5,000 renewable scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior from either Willsboro Central School or Boquet Valley Central School who is planning to attend an accredited two or four year college, university, technical or trade school.
  • The scholarship may be renewed each year, up to three years (with a maximum total of $20,000), provided the recipient can furnish evidence of working diligently, earning grades that reflect that effort, and making steady and satisfactory progress toward a degree or appropriate certificate. We ask that grant recipients respond to communications from the Selection Committee in a timely way.
  • Application forms are available through the school guidance offices at Willsboro Central School or Boquet Valley Central School. All applications must then be returned either by mail to Adirondack Community Foundation, PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY  12946 or by email to leslee@adkcommunityfoundation.org.
Learn More + Apply

Deadline May 1 annually

Sean P. McCullough Scholarship

This fund was named after Sean McCullough, a Plattsburgh High School senior who died tragically on May 14, 2005. Sean was a gifted student, talented leader and dedicated athlete. He cared deeply about his friends, teammates and family.  Learn more about Sean here.

Gifts to this fund are welcome – you can donate here.

  • For outstanding graduating seniors from any New York State Section VII high school who plan to continue their education at the college level. Applicants must be a member of their school track team, embody school spirit, demonstrate academic strength, dedication, competitive spirit, and good leadership skills. Students must be nominated by their track coach. There is no student application for this scholarship. 
  • Nomination forms are available here. All completed forms must be returned either by mail to Adirondack Community Foundation, PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946 or by email to leslee@adkcommunityfoundation.org.
  • Scholarship amounts are up to $1,500.
Learn More + Apply

Deadline May 15 annually

Dr. U.R. Plante Medical Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of Dr. U. R. Plante, who practiced medicine in Massena from 1916 to 1972. Like many doctors serving rural communities at the time, Dr. Plante was called on by every member of the community to practice medicine as needed — deliver babies, set bones and tend to every ailment in the community between birth and death. What would have been referred to as general practice in Dr. Plante’s time has now evolved to what we call primary care and its related specializations. Learn more about Dr. Ulric R. Plante here.

Gifts to this fund are welcome – you can donate here.

  • The scholarship is awarded annually to a student attending medical school who is a resident of either the Adirondack Park, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex or Hamilton County of New York State or has lived in one of these counties for at least two years. The successful candidate must be willing to return to practice medicine at one of the above locations, or to another remote part of the US where doctors are needed, for two years. Interested applicants must be accepted by an accredited medical school in the US or Canada for an MD or DO program. (Students in OB, PA, PT, OT, or nursing programs are not eligible to apply.)
  • Applications must be submitted through our Online Grants Manager after April 1. You can share this information sheet on what we’re looking for from your references.
  • Scholarship amount is up to $10,000.
Learn More + Apply
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Bruce L. Crary Foundation

The Bruce L. Crary Foundation distributes scholarships to students living in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, and Warren counties. The Crary Foundation staff works closely with counselors in forty area schools to select applicants who are qualified and in need of financial assistance.

Learn more about our unique partnership with the Bruce L. Crary Foundation and the scholarship support they provide to help Adirondack students cover college expenses.

Scholarships for Specific Schools

The majority of scholarship funds are established for specific schools; these schools serve as vital partners in selecting recipients and distributing scholarships to them. Below is a list of scholarship funds by school district. Contact the guidance counselor for eligibility guidelines and an application.

AuSable Valley Central School

  • Frank Besau and Pauline Besau Wamsganz Scholarship Fund
  • Henry Caito Family Fund
  • Wilmington Fire Department – Shawn Coarding Memorial Scholarship

Beekmantown Central School

  • Lynn G. & Alice W. Palmer Scholarship Fund

Boquet Valley Central School

  • Allen Family Scholarship 

Brushton-Moira Central School

  • Brushton-Moira Central School Scholarship Fund

Johnsburg Central School

  • Johnsburg Central School Scholarship Fund

Lake Placid Central School

  • Gerald K. Douglas Scholarship Fund
  • Lussi Family Scholarship Fund
  • Mader Family Business Scholarship Fund
  • Nash Williams/Founding Families Scholarship Fund
  • Wilmington Fire Department – Shawn Coarding Memorial Scholarship Fund

Long Lake School District

  • Will Geiger Academic Scholarship Fund

Malone Central School – Franklin Academy

  • Craig T. Chisum Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Franklin Academy Class of 1967 Scholarship Fund
  • Matamek Scholarship Fund

North Country Community College

  • Alice C. Agnew Scholarship Fund
  • Helen and Ralph Arnold Scholarship Fund
  • Julie Lamy Memorial Scholarship Fund

Plattsburgh Central School

  • Jennifer Welch Memorial Scholarship Fund

Saranac Central School

  • J. Kellum Smith Jr. Scholarship Fund

Saranac Lake Central School

  • Brian Muldowney Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Howard V. Littell Scholarship Fund
  • Tyler Steele Leidig Memorial Scholarship Fund

Tupper Lake Central School

  • Alberta P. Moody Scholarship Fund
  • Alice and Paul Grulich Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Erin Farkas Dewyea Scholarship Fund
  • George C. and Helen W. Macro Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Ginsberg Family Fund
  • Mary Cote Humanitarian Scholarship Fund
  • Pearl Ness Clements Scholarship Fund

Willsboro Central School

  • Allen Family Scholarship Fund