Buffalo State offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to current students demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities, academic abilities and/or financial need.  These scholarships are based on specific criteria which includes; academic merit, financial need, field of study, or a combination of criteria.  Scholarship funding is made possible through donations from alumni and friends of the college who value a Buffalo State education.  Students may log in to the Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS) to view and apply for scholarship opportunities.  Students need to complete a general scholarship annually and which will auto-match them to applicable scholarships. Some scholarships may require additional tasks. Additionally, staff in the Financial Aid Office, Moot Hall 230, can assist students in locating scholarships offered by agencies not affiliated with Buffalo State.

Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior Scholarship pays any remaining tuition charges for NYS residents (must also satisfy other conditions) after the student's other grants and scholarships have been applied. The scholarship program is designed to promote on-time graduation while reducing college loan debt.  Recipients of the Excelsior Scholarship

• may receive up to $5,500 or actual tuition, whichever is less.
• are eligible to receive award payments for not more than four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years if the program of study normally requires five years in a program leading to a bachelor's degree.
• must live in New York State for the same length of time the award was received. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the conversion of the award to a no-interest loan.