SUNY Fair Chance Scholarship Fund

The State University of New York (SUNY), under the leadership of Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees, is excited to share the launch of the Fair Chance Scholarship Fund, which will provide a limited number of last-dollar scholarships for eligible incarcerated and formerly incarcerated SUNY students in academic re-entry.

Thanks to the generous support provided by the 2026/27 Enacted State Budget, and starting Fall 2026, $100,000 in new Direct State Tax Support will allow students with unmet financial need that would otherwise prevent them from enrolling or continuing their SUNY education to achieve their academic goals.

To maximize the benefit of the State investment, priority will be given to students in programs that do not already have other scholarships, grants, or foundation support specifically covering tuition. In no case will these awards exceed the student's verified unmet educational balance, and awards will be applied to the student’s account.

To Apply

• Applications should be submitted by campuses. Applications can be submitted online and completed at the SUNY Fair Chance Scholarship Fund Application. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted.

SUNY Fair Chance Scholarship Fund Application

Eligibility Criteria

1. Justice-Impacted Student
   • Students must be currently incarcerated or formerly incarcerated.
   • Students in re-entry must be working with an Office of Higher Education in Prison (OHEP) navigator. If the student is not working with SUNY OHEP navigator, a referral form or email is to be sent to SUNY OHEP for linkage and connection
2. Enrollment at a SUNY Institution
   
   • Students must be admitted to and enrolled, at a SUNY State-operated campus or SUNY Community College.
3. Demonstrated Unmet Financial Need
   
   • Student must have a verified remaining tuition and required fee balance after all applicable aid has been applied
   • Student has attempted to access all reasonably available sources of financial assistance, including, as applicable: Institutional grants or scholarships, campus emergency or completion grants, and private scholarships
     SUNY OHEP | Fair Chance Scholarship | Campus Guidelines

Additional Prioritization Factors

OHEP will prioritize recipients based on:

• Immediate enrollment risk
  
  • Student cannot register, start, or continue without assistance.
• Academic progress
  
  • Student has demonstrated progress toward a credential.
• Proximity to completion
  
  • Student is nearing degree/certificate completion.
• Availability of other resources
  
  • Student has exhausted reasonably available alternatives.