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Carey Gabay Memorial Scholarship

The application period for 2023-24 has ended

Carey Gabay, an attorney and public servant, was tragically killed as an innocent victim of gun violence in September 2015 at the age of 43. In his honor, The State University of New York has created the Carey Gabay Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to five incoming SUNY State-operated campus students who exemplify Carey’s commitment to social justice, leadership, and mentoring, as well as his personal story of succeeding academically despite an economically disadvantaged background.

Carey grew up living in public housing and attending public school in the Bronx, New York. After a successful high school career, he went on to graduate from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He has long been committed to public service and giving back. While at Harvard University, he ran to become the president of his undergraduate student body. In recent years, he worked tirelessly in public service, first as an Assistant Counsel to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and more recently as First Deputy Counsel for the Empire State Development Corporation.

The Carey Gabay Scholarship Program will annually award full cost-of-attendance scholarships to five students to attend State University of New York State-operated campus. These scholarships will cover all costs of attendance, including tuition, room and board, college fees, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. These awards will be targeted to students who – like Carey – achieved academic excellence despite an economically disadvantaged background.

In order to be eligible to apply for the Carey Gabay Memorial Scholarship, a student must meet the  following conditions:

• Student must be a current New York State resident;
• Student must be an incoming freshman at a State University of New York State operated campus who will be matriculated and enrolled full time;
• Student must demonstrate significant financial need as determined by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®);
• Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by submitting a copy of a valid Student Aid Report (SAR)showing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC);
• Student’s high school record must demonstrate high academic achievement, including a minimum cumulative grade point average of 90;
• Student must submit an essay regarding challenges overcome during the course of the student's academic career, as well as his or her personal commitment to mentoring, leadership, and social justice; and
• Student must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or community members.

In order to continue receiving the complete four-year award:

• Student must maintain full-time enrollment for any semester in which they receive an award;
• Student must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the end of their freshmen year and thereafter;
• Student must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct;
• Student must demonstrate commitment to social justice and giving back to the community by volunteering a minimum of 15 hours per semester. Student will be required to submit a statement de-scribing their volunteer activities each year, signed by a supervisor of the agency or organization they served; and
• Student must continue to demonstrate financial need as determined by the completion of a FAFSA.