Applying for the President’s Challenge Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors from our local community and beyond, the President’s
Challenge Scholarship assists first-generation Ulster County high school students
with overcoming financial barriers associated with attending college. Students are
identified in eighth grade by their sponsoring school district and receive mentoring
and college readiness preparation through the completion of high school. Upon graduation,
students are able to attend SUNY Ulster tuition-free for two years!
PROGRAM CRITERIA
To apply, students must be in 8th-grade. Students must also be first-generation college
students, have an 80% cumulative GPA (75% in their four core classes – English, math,
science and social studies) and have an 85% or better attendance record in school
with minimal discipline infractions or have a strong recommendation from a teacher or school administrator. Preference is given to students with economic need.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants must submit an application and essay prior to the deadline set by the school
district, which is typically in the spring of a student’s 8th-grade year.
Each school reviews the application materials and identifies the top 10 candidates
for their district.
These candidates are invited to participate in a brief interview at the high school
with members of the school district and SUNY Ulster.
Five scholarship recipients are selected after the interview process.
Recipients are notified shortly before their Moving-Up Ceremony in June.
PCS recipients participate in activities on the SUNY Ulster Campus, at their school
and online starting in 9th grade and throughout high school to support college readiness.
PCS Student Experience
Starting in 9th-grade, PCS recipients take the PCS Promise as well aswork with a PCS College Mentor (comprised of members of the SUNY Ulster Enrollment
and Success Center team) and a Club Advisor at their home school district. College Mentors, assigned to support PCS students from a participating high school,
meet with students on campus, at the schools and online. In addition to motivating
students to remain on the college-bound track, the PCS College Mentor will assist
with college readiness skills like academic planning, communication, and career exploration,
as well as other engagement and growth opportunities as the program expands. The Club Advisor is charged with meeting regularly with students while working closely
with SUNY Ulster’s College Mentor and President’s Challenge Scholarship Program Coordinator
on the student experience and support needs. The Club Advisor offers another level
of consistent mentoring for students within the schools, but will offer students the
opportunity to engage with fellow recipients in a constructive way. We hope to have
all school districts participate in the Club Advisor initiative starting in the Fall
of 2023.
For more information or to request a paper or Spanish application, contact PCS Program Coordinator Nancy Clarke by phone at 845.688.1927 or by email at clarken@sunyulster.edu
