Scholarships for Seniors

Scholarships will be posted below as they become available and emails will be sent periodically via Naviance indicating the scholarship list has been updated.  Click on the scholarship name for instructions.  Students are responsible for meeting the deadlines of the scholarships.

Scholarship applications are also available through the Naviance Opens in a new browser tab  website.  After signing in to Naviance, click on the "Colleges" tab, then scroll down and select "Scholarships."  All of the available scholarships are listed with links to their applications.

When supplemental materials such as transcripts and/or letters of recommendations are required, please submit these requests to the counseling office well in advance of the deadline to allow for processing.

Questions and/or concerns about scholarships can be directed to the Counseling Office or email scholarships@pearlriver.org. 

The New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence Opens in a new browser tab program provides scholarship assistance to outstanding New York State high school graduates.  Each year, 8,000 scholarships are awarded - up to 2,000 scholarships of $1,500 and 6,000 scholarships of $500 to top scholars from registered New York State high schools.  Awards are based on certain academic criteria.  Recipients can also receive other non-loan student aid, but the total cannot exceed the cost of attendance. 

Selection Criteria

Due to the cancellation of Regents exams in 2020 and a number of Regents exams that were not administered in June 2021, for this year and the next few subsequent years, Pearl River High School winners will be selected based on students' class rank at the end of their junior year.

(Links to additional scholarship resources are available below this list.) 

 

American Legion John H. Secor Post 329 & Thomas A. Dexter Scholarships Two scholarship opportunities available for high school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited college or university. One is open to all seniors; the other is for members’ children or grandchildren. Thomas A. Dexter Scholarship applicant must be a bona fide senior at Pearl River High School. John H. Secor Post 329 Scholarship applicant must be the son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter of a current member of American Legion Post #329. Official transcript, community service and a 300-word essay on the Bill of Rights required. All materials must be received no later than May 15, 2025.

Annual Colonel Ellis Memorial Scholarship Contest is open to all high school seniors in the lower Hudson Valley. A $300 scholarship will be awarded to a student of high academic achievement with a record of performance in school and community activities and an interest in the heritage of the United States. A letter of recommendation and a 500-word essay are required. All applications and supporting documents must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2025.

The Billy Kayser Memorial Scholarship Scholarships are awarded in memory of Billy Kayser, a former Pearl River High School student athlete whose life was cut too short. The contest is limited to high school seniors. Please write an essay on “What Friendship Means to Me” (300-500 words) and submit with the coversheet provided in the application. Two PRHS winners will be chosen. Completed coversheets and essays must be submitted to the Counseling Office by April 22, 2025.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International: Alpha Eta Chapter Scholarship The Alpha Eta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a female high school senior graduating in June 2025 with plans to enter college in September 2025 to pursue a career in the field of education. Candidates must have at least a B average, demonstrated good conduct, and performed community service. A 500-word essay and two (2) letters of reference are mandatory. For an overview of the organization please visit www.dkg.org Opens in a new browser tab . Deadline for submission is April 25, 2025.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarships Multiple scholarships offered to Rockland County high school seniors of African descent who exemplify scholastic excellence, high ideals, and plan to attend an accredited college or university in the fall following their graduation year. Students must have a GPA of 80 or above to be considered for an award. Completed application form, documents verifying citizenship, letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores, high school transcript, and a short essay required. Personal interviews will be conducted. Application deadline is February 28, 2025. 

The Hagan Scholarship Designed to provide students with the opportunity to obtain a four-year education and graduate debt-free, this nationwide need-based scholarship will award up to $7,500 each semester for up to eight (8) consecutive semesters to high school seniors. Candidates should be high-achieving, goal driven students with financial need. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have a Permanent Resident Card, have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, plan to enroll at an accredited four-year college or university after graduation, and work 240 hours each year from January 1 until commencement of the fall semester in college. Federal Income Tax information and FAFSA SAR required. Please see brochure for a complete list of eligibility requirements. Application deadline is March 15, 2025.

Hudson Valley Magazine's Excellence in Nursing Scholarship $1,500 will be awarded to a motivated high school senior who plans to pursue a career in nursing. Transcript, two (2) letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores and a 500-700-word essay explaining why you want to be a nurse required. Applications must be postmarked by February 3, 2025.

The Jamaican Civic & Cultural Association of Rockland, Inc. (JAMCCAR) Graduating high school seniors of Caribbean descent from any school district who are members or associate members of JAMCCAR and who have been actively participating in the organization, or other community organizations. Proof of involvement will be required. Requirements include: A least an overall "B" average, Proof of acceptance to college or proof of attendance at RCC or trade school, a recommendation from a teacher of the high school or a JAMCCAR member, an essay of at least 750 words, a personal interview with the Scholarship Committee and a written statement that funds will only be used for educational purposes. Application must be postmarked by April 28, 2025. The completed application with attachments should be emailed to jamccarny@yahoo.com Opens in a new browser tab or mailed to JAMCCAR, Attention: Scholarship Committee, PO Box 1727, Spring Valley, NY 10977.

The Joseph V. Caccamo, Jr. Memorial Award Award is open to all Rockland County high school seniors. A single award of up to $1,000 may be given to the winning submission. College attendance is not a requirement for applying. Essay on the Second Amendment and completed application are required. This is a non-academic award; submission of transcripts and grades will disqualify applicants. Entries must be received no later than 4:00pm on April 12, 2025.

The Kim-Adele Rosner Young Women of Leadership and Vision Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship is available to a graduating female residing in Rockland County who has performed substantial community service. All submissions must include a completed application form and an essay; two (2) letters of recommendation also required. Please see application instructions for additional details. Submissions must be received by March 7, 2025. 

Knights of Pythias, New City-Orangetown Lodge #854 Scholarship Knights of Pythias Rockland Scholarship Association annually presents a scholarship to one deserving graduating student from each public high school in Rockland County. We want to reward students who maintain at least a B- average while participating in community service thereby aiding those who are less fortunate. We focus our selection of deserving recipients on the essay the student writes to show how his or her community service reflects the Knights of Pythias precepts of friendship, charity and benevolence. Our decision will also be impacted by the candidate’s community service experiences, their ability to describe those experiences in writing and what they tell us they learned from the community service. This year our applications will be submitted using an on-line survey which the student will access. We recommend students write their essay using Word or notepad and paste them into the proper page on the scholarship application. The deadline for submission of both parts of this application (the application and the transcript) is April 1st, 2025. The scholarship presentation will take place on Tuesday May 13th, 2025. Each winner will be notified and will be asked to make a 3 minute speech accepting the scholarship and summarizing his or her experience. It is the students responsibility to notify their guidance counselor that their application is complete. The Guidance Counselor will submit the student's transcript.    

Lincoln Avenue Elementary Audra Marinelli Memorial Scholarship 2025 The Lincoln Avenue Elementary School PTA is pleased to offer 1 Lincoln Avenue graduate the opportunity to receive our $1,000 Audra Marinelli Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is offered exclusively to a Lincoln Avenue graduate who is now a Pearl River High School Senior. Deadline is April 21, 2025. You must be signed into a Google account in order to submit.  You may use your Pearl River School District account or a personal Google account. https://forms.gle/UxKwr7qMuCJVdwjH6 Opens in a new browser tab

2025 Morning Music Club Morning Music Club is holding its annual auditions for scholarship awards on Monday, March 3, 2025 (snow date March 10) at the Rockland Conservatory of Music in Pearl River, 45 South Main Street. Auditions are open to seniors attending Rockland County high schools who intend to continue their music studies in college, university, or conservatory. Applicants do not have to major in Music to qualify. Please see application form for details. Applications must be postmarked to emailed no later than February 24, 2025. DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 28, 2025.

The Orangetown Patriots Scholarship Applicants must have played/cheered for Orangetown Patriots for at least two years and played/cheered for their high school for two years or more or volunteered for Orangetown Patriots for at least two years. Official transcript with school seal and counselor signature required. All applications must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2025.

Pearl River Franklin Avenue PTA Scholarship:  Award offered to a graduate of Franklin Avenue Elementary School. A 500- to 700-word essay describing how your experiences at Franklin Avenue have shaped who you are today, a list of community service/activities and two (2) letters of recommendation required. Submissions will be accepted up to and including Friday, May 2, 2025.

Pearl River Lions Club High School Scholarship Essay Contest The Pearl River Lions Club will award $1,000 to a graduating PRHS senior planning on a career in the helping professions of human services, social work, or psychology (e.g. Teaching, Nursing, Mental Health, Public Health, Criminal Justice.) Community service and future education plans for a career serving others will be the most important considerations for this award. Students are to write a 300-500 word essay on their experiences with community service, their education plans, and one experience that had a strong effect upon them in choosing to make a career in a helping profession. Please submit your essay to the Counseling Office or email the digital file to guidance@pearlriver.org Opens in a new browser tab no later than May 5, 2025 at 2:00 pm to be forwarded to the Pearl River Lions Club for judging.

Pearl River Little League  Scholarship will be awarded to a Pearl River High School senior who has participated in the Pearl River Little League in the past. An essay of no more than 200 words regarding the impact that the PRLL has had on you is required. Deadline for submission is May 2, 2025. 

2025 Pear River Middle School PTA Special Services Scholarship The PRMS PTA is pleased to offer a $500 scholarship to a PRHS graduating senior who graduated from Pearl River Middle School and receives special services through an IEP or 504 plan.  This is a non-academic-based scholarship that will be awarded to a senior based on their commitment to local community service and personal responses to the questions below.

2025 Pear River Middle School PTA Scholarship The PRMS PTA is pleased to offer a $500 scholarship to a PRHS graduating senior who graduated from Pearl River Middle School.  This is a non-academic-based scholarship that will be awarded to a senior based on their commitment to local community service and personal responses to the questions in the google form.

Pearl River Teachers Association (PRTA) Scholarship The PRTA scholarship is available to current Pearl River High School seniors. Guaranteed winners. Essay of no more than 1,000 words required. Consideration is given to children of union members. Also included is information on the Bill Bates Scholarship, given in memory of a deceased English Teacher to a student with significant contribution to the arts while in high school. Completed application form and essay must be returned to the Counseling Office or emailed to scholarships@pearlriver.org Opens in a new browser tab no later than April 11, 2025.

Professional Nurses Association of Rockland County Nursing Scholarship A $750 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior pursuing a career in nursing. Applicants must have applied to a nursing program in pursuit of a degree as a Registered Nurse. Official transcript, one (1) teacher recommendation, and one (1) character reference form required. Deadline for submission is April 14, 2025.

Renee Craig “Music in Motion” Scholarship The Harmony Celebration Chorus will award a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior who is planning to major or minor in music, music education, voice, or theater. A minimum of 3.0 GPA, official high school transcript, letter of recommendation from a music mentor, essay, and a visual/auditory video performance required. Please see application form for details. All materials must be received by May 1, 2025.

Reverend Dr. Raymond C. and Linda Caliman Academic Scholarship  Scholarship established in honor of Reverend Dr. Raymond C. and Linda Caliman and their service and contributions to the community as well as to their family and church. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to a college-bound high school senior who is a positive influence on his/her peers and engages in community service. Completed application form, transcript, a 500-word essay, letters of recommendation, college acceptance letter, and verified activity profile required. Please visit their website https://calimanscholarship.org/ Opens in a new browser tab for more information and contact info@calimanscholarship.org Opens in a new browser tab with any questions. Applications are due April 9, 2025. 

2025 Rockland Business Women's Network Scholarship Application A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a candidate who identifies as female graduating from high school and enrolling in a certified undergraduate program in Fall 2024. A 500-word essay, one (1) recommendation letter, community service hours and official transcript required. A minimum of a “B” (3.0) average is also required for all applicants. Applications must be received by March 14, 2025. Official transcripts and teacher letters of recommendation will be emailed separately to RBWN by the PRHS Counseling Department. For this reason, all requests must be emailed to guidance@pearlriver.org Opens in a new browser tab  by March 10, 2025 or we cannot guarantee your supporting documents will be submitted by the scholarship deadline. 

Rockland County Bar Association DEI Juneteenth Essay Contest Contest is open to all senior high school students who either reside in Rockland County or attend high school in Rockland County. This year the student with the winning essay will be guaranteed a scholarship worth at least $750 and the second place winner will be guaranteed a scholarship worth at least $250. The winners are required to attend RCBA's Awards and Installation Dinner on June 18, 2025 to accept the scholarship award. Interested students must submit a 550-word or less essay. Please see the application form: https://forms.gle/yB12WhXickwW19Ya9 Opens in a new browser tab . Deadline for submission is May 2, 2025, at 11:59pm.

Robert “Beans” Capello Educational Scholarship Opens in a new browser tab A $1,500 scholarship is available to an active member or a child or grandchild of an active member or previously active deceased member of a Rockland County Fire Department. (If relation is with a deceased member, the member must have been active at their time of death.) Completed application form, high school transcript, community service activities, list of school awards/honors, and a 250-word essay required. The winning candidate must attend a scholarship presentation at host fire department meeting. Application deadline is March 31, 2025.

Rockland County Music Educators Association (RCMEA) Senior Music Scholarship Sponsored by music teachers in Rockland County, this scholarship is available for students planning a career in music. NYSSMA scores, two (2) letters of recommendation, and digital audio or video of musical abilities are required. Scholarship is intended for students who will be attending an accredited 4-year college or university with a major in music. Deadline is March 30, 2025.

Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund Scholarship (RNSF) Opens in a new browser tab Awarded to graduating seniors of Rockland County of African-American descent. Official transcript, letter of recommendation and essay required. See application for details. Applications are due no later than Friday, February 28, 2025.

Rolling Thunder NY3 Tony Schembri Memorial Scholarship In honor of Tony Schembri, a veteran and co-founder of Rolling Thunder NY Chapter 3, a $500 scholarship is available for high school seniors. Prospective scholarship applicants should write an essay of approximately 500 words. The theme of your essay should center on: How and why the efforts and sacrifices of the American soldier/military veteran are so important. Your essay should be based on the ideas you have formed from either reading of history or from the veterans you know personally as family or friends. See application for additional details. Visit https://www.rollingthunderny3.org/tony-schembri-scholarship to see past winners. Please contact suziq433@yahoo.com Opens in a new browser tab with any questions. Deadline for submission is April 1, 2025.

The essay will be evaluated based upon context and the conventions of standard written English. Structure and grammatical syntax will be considered as part of the selections process. Attention must be given to the written form of the essay. Paragraph structure must include an introduction, body paragraph and conclusion. Submission should be 12-point font, double spaced.

Rotary Club of Pearl River Scholarship The award criteria are diverse. All students needing aid and who are involved in community service are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be residents of the Pearl River School District for at least one year (12 months.) An essay of 350 words or less, financial information, community service and leadership activities are all considered. Scholarships are also considered for trade/technical schools or other special forms of continued study. Applications without adequate financial information will not be considered. All financial information will be held to the strictest of confidence and all applications are blindly reviewed and scored. Transcripts required; unofficial transcripts accepted. Incomplete applications will not be processed. If you have any questions about the application process, please call (845) 222-3356 or e-mail PRRotaryScholarships@gmail.com Opens in a new browser tab . All applications must be submitted online by April 18, 2025. 

SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship  For the 7th consecutive year, SeniorCare.com Opens in a new browser tab will be awarding an annual college scholarship to an individual who best demonstrates why "Aging Matters" to them. A $1500 scholarship will be given annually to a selected student who currently cares for an aging loved one, works within the senior community or intends to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population. Open to high school seniors in good academic standing planning to enroll as a full-time freshman in a 2- or 4-year accredited college or university. The recipient will demonstrate a unique and admirable understanding and desire to show that "Aging Matters" to them. All applicants can get more information and apply online at https://www.seniorcare.com/scholarship/ Opens in a new browser tab . Application deadline is May 15, 2025.

Tri-State Consortium Kathleen Reilly Scholarship Pearl River School District will nominate one high school senior with demonstrated character, leadership, and academic achievement for a chance to win a $2,500 annual Tri-State Consortium Kathleen Reilly Scholarship. Seniors who wish to be nominated must submit a completed application form, transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and resumé highlighting leadership and community service activities. In addition, a 500-word essay or a 3-minute video or podcast describing how you are a “social connector” who strives to bring others together and form networks of relationships in service to making the world a better place is also required. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully. Application forms and supporting materials must be submitted to the Counseling Office (videos can be emailed to guidance@pearlriver.org Opens in a new browser tab ) no later than March 3, 2025 at 12:00pm. Late submissions will not be considered.

United Women of Rockland Scholarship The United Women of Rockland is awarding five scholarships, each valued at $2,000, to assist students in pursuing higher education, whether at a college or trade school. This scholarship is uniquely dedicated to students whose mothers have faced a devastating health diagnosis or have passed away due to one. Key details are as follows: Eligibility: Graduating seniors residing in Rockland County / Award Amount: $2,000 per scholarship (five available; 1 to a resident of each town). Criteria: Grades are not a determining factor. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2025.

William V. Harris Memorial Scholarship Two (2) $500 awards available to graduating seniors. Scholarship is based upon contributions to the community. Essay, intentions for future, two (2) letters of recommendation and a list of extracurricular activities are all required. Completed applications with required documents must be submitted to the Counseling Office by May 9, 2025.

Zimi Bagel / Demakis Scholarship Two (2) $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to seniors who have demonstrated the ability to excel academically while pursuing and excelling in a passion within or outside of school (e.g. Debate, Music, Acting, Art, Sports, etc.) A completed application form and transcript required. Applicants must be planning to attend college and have a minimum average of 90. There is a 350 word max essay. Questions for the essay are on the application. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted to the Counseling Office or emailed to guidance@pearlriver.org Opens in a new browser tab no later than May 1, 2025.