SUNY Pathways Scholars Award Program

Start at SUNY, Stay at SUNY

The State University of New York (SUNY) Pathways Scholars Award program helps high-performing students committed to completing their associate and bachelor’s degrees in two and four years, respectively. The program is designed to minimize financial barriers to completion, provides a gateway to further education, and creates connections at the bachelor’s degree granting SUNY colleges and universities.

Nassau Community College (NCC) award recipients receive a financial stipend, academic counseling, career guidance, and a network of wrap-around support programs to keep them on the pathway to success. 

Pathways Scholars receive a total of $500 to use for non-tuition related expenses during their first year: a $250 stipend at the start of semester one and, if they remain in good standing, an additional $250 stipend at the start of semester two. Upon completion of their associate degree and enrollment in a SUNY bachelor’s degree program, Pathways Scholars receive an additional $1,000 stipend.

To qualify, students must:

  • Have graduated from a high school in New York State in 2020 with an average of at least 80%
  • Enroll for the first time as a full-time student in an associate degree program at a SUNY community college or college of technology

SUNY Pathways Scholars will:

  • Sign a Pathways Pledge to commit to degree completion in two years, and indicate intent to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a SUNY college
  • Participate actively in advising services
  • Agree to take advantage of support services when needed
  • Forfeit remaining funding if not meeting program expectations

SUNY Pathways Scholar Pledge

Upon being accepted into the SUNY Pathways Scholar Award Program, students will be required to agree and sign a paper version of the pledge detailed below.

If selected as a Pathways Scholar, I agree to: 

  • Enroll in an associate degree program and meet the academic requirements needed to graduate from my community college in two years, with the intent to transfer or continue on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a SUNY college
  • Meet with an advisor once a month to track academic progress and meet with my major-based advisor each semester
  • Review any early alerts and respond to outreach in a timely manner
  • Attend transfer/career planning sessions each semester 
  • Participate in tutoring sessions if my GPA falls below 2.0, or if I am notified through my advisor, early alert, academic alert, or midterm alert 

  • Register for classes early to ensure I am able to meet curriculum requirements
  • Contact my advisor before changing my course schedule or degree program

I understand that if I do not fulfill the obligations above, I may not be eligible to be a SUNY Pathways Scholar.

I also understand that my chances of success are improved if I: 


  • Communicate with my academic advisor when I experience academic difficulty
  • Monitor my progress regularly by checking Brightspace, Banner, or directly with my instructors
  • Read announcements in MyNCC and my college email daily
  • Conduct academic and business-related tasks on time (e.g., scheduling 
appointments, resolving academic record issues, completing financial aid application/forms)


  Apply to SUNY Pathways

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