College Financial Aid & Scholarship Offerings
2025-2026 Scholarship Information and Deadlines
The list below are local scholarships that are being offered to Chester Academy Seniors. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE to visit regularly as the Guidance Office will be adding to this scholarship page as they come in. Any questions regarding these scholarships, please stop in to the Guidance Office.
National Scholarship Database
Featured Scholarships for Cancer Survivors and Disabilities
Many organizations provide scholarships for cancer patients and survivors, as well for people with certain disabilities. See specific websites for full details regarding application requirements and process. DOWNLOAD a list of unique list of some of these scholarship opportunities with connecting website links.
Fastweb College Scholarship Directory
Fastweb is the go-to source for students looking to find and apply for scholarships, grants and financial aid opportunities. The state-of-the-art scholarship database helps you save time by filtering through thousands of scholarships. Each scholarship and every grant is individually vetted by our research team before it reaches the national scholarship database. Registering for a FREE college scholarship profile. Our state-of-the art algorithm uses your profile — what makes you unique— to find and send you perfect scholarship matches. You'll also be notified of any new and hot scholarships you should apply for quickly.
Federal Student Aid Information Center
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
https://studentaid.gov/
Federal Student Aid's core mission is to ensure that all eligible individuals benefit from federal financial assistance- grants, loans and work-study programs- for education beyond high school. This website allows you to learn about and apply for all forms of federal aid and manage federal loans.
GE Aerospace-Reagan Workforce Readiness Scholarship - Deadline May 1, 2026 at Noon CST
High school seniors planning to enroll in either a community college or a technical/trade program to pursue an eligible skilled technical career path are invited to apply for a new scholarship program offered by GE Aerospace and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. A minimum of 10 recipients will be selected annually to each receive a maximum of $20,000 over two years based on cost of attendance. Twenty-five percent of scholarships will be awarded to students from military families. LEARN MORE
The Sallie Mae Fund Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors - Deadline April 24, 2026
The program will award 30 scholarships of up to $10,000 to help high school seniors access higher education. Eligibility:
- Enrolled as a Pell-Grant eligible high school senior for 2026-2027 academic year.
- Plan to enroll as a first-time, incoming freshman at an accredited postsecondary institution or continuous education program during the 2026- 2027 academic year.
- Two-year schools
- Four-year schools
- Vocational/technical certificate/certification program
- Demonstrate leadership abilities and good moral character with accumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
- A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.
Students can apply at: Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors. The deadline is April 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Applying for College Financial Aid
FAFSA
DEADLINE: 06/30/2026, by 11:59 p.m. Central time.
The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form opens on 10/1/2025. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid to help pay for attendance at college between October 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Site service may be paused for maintenance and technical updates as needed.
Additional forms may be required. Visit the US Dept of Education for information regarding the FAFSA FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID to sign the form electronically. You can get your FSA ID at fafsa.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid (Federal) A 2025-26 FAFSA form must be filled out if you wish to take-out Federal Student Loans If you are a dependent student, you will need the following information for you & your parents:
> Your Social Security Number
> Your parents' Social Security numbers
> Your parents' tax documents
HESC- Higher Education Services Corporation (NYS). HESC form can be filled-out directly from the FASFA form
CSS Profile/Financial Aid The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. These schools require the CSS Profile as well as the FASFA form for financial aid
Financial Aid Night Presentation (2025)
OTHER FINANCIAL AID HELP LINKS
US Department of Education
SalliMae
College Board
FinAid.org
SUNY EOP Requirements
Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- NYS SAE Scholarships are provided for 4 years (as long as the NYS budget is approved). Student ranked #1 receives a $1500/yr scholarship; students ranked #2-4 each receive a $500/yr scholarship.
- Scholarship winners must attend a college or university (SAE’s cannot be used for trade schools) in New York State.
- Those who do not attend a college or university in New York State forfeit the award.
- Awards are renewable for up to four academic years of undergraduate study or five academic years if the program of study normally requires five years as defined by the Commissioner of Education.
Scholarships
*Scholarships are due to the guidance office 48 hours before the deadline to process the application and include necessary documents
| Scholarship | Description | Website/Application | Amount | Deadline |
| ACT Through Music Suicide Prevention & Awareness Scholarship | ACT serves as a memory of Adam Christopher Turell and enforces the importance of awareness through music and community. |
2026 ACT Through Music Application | $300 | April 8, 2026 |
| American Society of Civil Engineers Mohawk-Hudson Section Region 1 | Offered to graduating senior seeking to continue their education with the goal of becoming a practicing civil engineer | 2026 Application and Information | Two - $1,000 per year, 4 years | April 9, 2026 |
| Sugar Loaf Engine Company Award | The Sugar Loaf Engine Company is offering a $250.00 award to a senior submitting an outstanding writing project. Please write an essay about the impact volunteering has on you and the community. "How do you plan to continue volunteering after graduation?" Applicants are to provide a list of where they have volunteered and the number of volunteer hours they have over 4 years. Must have a GPA of at least 80. Please bring the essay to Mrs. DeSantis in the Guidance Office | See Guidance Office for more details and questions | $250 | April 10, 2026 |
| Officer John "G13" Grzywaczewski Memorial Award | Officer Grzywaczewski had a wide range of hobbies, from working on motor vehicles and radios, to taking care of his multitude of varying pets. He always strove to improve anything he tended, with the skill of a professional. This award sponsored by the Village of Chester Police Department of $500 will be presented to a student who exemplifies Officer Grzywaczewski's character. All are encouraged to apply with the submission of a 1-page essay describing where you plan to attend, what field you are pursuing, and why you chose that field. Submit this application essay to the Guidance Office and stop in with any questions. | See Guidance Office for more details and questions | $500 |
April 10, 2026 to Guidance Department |
| CFOS Scholarships | The Community Foundation manages a multitude of scholarship funds established by individuals, families, businesses and organizations | CFOS Scholarship Information and Portal | Multiple $500 | April 10, 2026 |
| CSEA Orange County Local 836 Scholarship | Any student who has a parent and/or guardian that is a member of the CSEA Orange County Local 836 may fill out and submit the scholarship application | 2026 Scholarship Application | Multiple Scholarships at $500 each | April 10, 2026 |
| CSEA Southern Region Scholarships | Offered for accredited colleges and trade schools to graduating seniors who parent or guardian is a CSEA member working in the Southern Region | Four (4) $1,000 | April 15, 2026 | |
| COCIAA- Central Orange County Italian American Association Scholarship | Students who apply must have some Italian heritage, belong to a participating high school and are required to have good grades and submit a transcript and an essay explaining what their Italian heritage means to them and their aspirations for their college future. | 2026 Application | $1,500 | April 15, 2026 |
| Retired Educators of NY Southeastern Zone |
Offered to a graduating senior pursuing a career in a vocational, occupational or technical field of work and will be attending a recognized program of study or preparation. Areas of study include: Carpentry, Healthcare, Engineering Information Tech, HVAC, Automotive, Plumbing, Cosmetology, Legal Assistant, Medical Testing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Welding, Veterinary Sciences, Dental Hygiene, Aircraft Mechanic/Maintenance, Solar Installation, Court Stenography, Radiologic Tech, Landscaping, Forklift and Heavy Duty Machinery Operations, Appliance Repair etc ... |
2026 Application | Between $500 and $2,000 | April 15, 2026 |
| Chester PTSA |
Chester Academy PTSA Community Award- Presented to the senior who models pride and performs community service within the school and community Chester Academy PTSA Positive Influence Award- Presented to the senior who possesses character, integrity and is a role model to all |
PTSA Membership form **Must be a PTSA member
|
$250 each | April 20, 2026 |
| Mediacom Entrepreneur of Tomorrow Award | Presented to one graduating senior from each high school in Orange County. The award is intended to honor academically successful high school students who exemplify the same entrepreneurial spirit as Mediacom's Founder, Rocco B. Commisso | $1,500 |
April 20, 2026 to Guidance Department |
|
| Greystone Foundation Human Services Scholarship |
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college, including community colleges, in a health or human services field of study, such as, but not limited to, Human Services, Nursing, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Sociology, Education Must have completed 40 hours of volunteer or paid work in a human services-related organization in the previous 12 months |
Three- $1,500 | April 30, 2026 | |
| Chester Alumni Association Scholarships |
|
Information can be found on the Alumni's website: |
$400 each
Donna DeStafeno- $500 |
May 1, 2026 |
| Greenwood Lake Lions Scholarship |
A graduating senior attending an accredited school of higher learning (including colleges, vocational, business and trade schools)
|
2026 Application | $2,000 | May 1, 2026 |
| Phyllis Klein Scholarship | Awarded to a graduating senior who plans to continue their education in a fiber arts or fine arts field | 2026 Application | $1,000 | May 1, 2026 |
| Mid-Hudson Technology & Engineering Educators Association | Awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a degree that leads to becoming a Technology Education Teacher | 2026 Information | May 1, 2026 | |
| Colonel Ellis Memorial Scholarship |
This scholarship is offered to a senior who demonstrates high academic achievement, community service and an interest in the heritage of the United States, a letter of recommendation from a school teacher/counselor and a 500 word essay on a topic selected on the attached application. For more information about the NY Dept of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War visit https://nysuvcw.org/history |
2026 Application and Additional Information | $350 | May 2, 2026 |
| Kiwanis Scholarships |
The Chester Kiwanis Humanities Award is presented to the senior who has demonstrated The Chester Kiwanis Vocational/Technical Award is presented to a graduating senior The Key Club Service Award is presented to a senior by the Kiwanis Club of Chester. Student The Chester Kiwanis Healthcare Scholarship is presented to the senior who is pursuing a degree in the field of Education. |
2026 Application | $1,000 each | May 15, 2026 |
| Hudson Valley Polonaise Society Inc. | Awarded to a graduating high school senior of Polish descent | 2026 Application and Additional Information | $1,000 | May 15, 2026 |
| Shepard Coleman Performing Arts Award | Students who have participated in a recent production with Creative Theatre-Muddy Water Players | 2026 Application and Additional Information | $1,250 | May 15, 2026 |
| Andrew B Womack Sr. Scholarhip | Honors the academic, civic, and athletic achievements of a male graduating senior planning to attend a 4-year college or university of his choice. The ideal recipient will have participated in and excelled in school-sponsored sports activities and/or achieved a cumulative B grade point average or better with noted aptitude in the subjects of English and Social Sciences. | 2026 Application and Additional Information |