Armenian Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by Rochester Area Community Foundation

If you’re a graduating senior who plans to study medicine, a science field, or music, read this carefully — it’s written to make the rules clear and to help you decide whether to apply.

What the scholarship is for
- Purpose: Provide financial help to a graduating high school senior heading into medicine, science, or music at the undergraduate level.
- Preference: Students of Armenian heritage are given priority.

Who is eligible
You must be a graduating senior who:
- Lives and is graduating from a high school in one of these eight counties around Rochester: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, or Yates.
- Intends to pursue a degree in medicine, science, or music.
- Demonstrates financial need.
- Has at least a B average (3.0 GPA).

Important dates and deadlines
- Application window: December 1 – February 28.
- To release the initial Fall payment: upload required documents (class schedule and tuition bill verifying enrollment and program) to the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Portal between July 1 and August 15.
- To release each subsequent year’s payment: upload your unofficial transcript, class schedule, and tuition bill (to verify enrollment in the eligible program and a minimum 3.0 GPA) between July 1 and August 15.
- Scholarships not claimed by February 15 in the assigned year will be forfeited.

Award amount and how it’s paid
- One award total of $4,000.
- Paid as $1,000 per academic year for up to four consecutive years (renewable up to three times).
- Each $1,000 award year is applied to the recipient’s school account in the Fall and is divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters (the Community Foundation sends a lump sum to the school, which is split between semesters once documentation is received).

What you can use the money for
- Tuition, fees, books, and other higher-education expenses.

How to apply
- Apply online through the Consolidated Scholarship Application. (If you apply for this scholarship, your submission will also be considered for other relevant awards within the Consolidated Application.)

Selection process
- The Community Foundation coordinates the selection. A committee made up of Community Foundation staff and community representatives reviews applications and selects the recipient.

Renewal requirements
- The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years (four consecutive years total).
- To have the award renewed, you must submit the requested documentation each year (see the “Important dates and deadlines” section) and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Questions
- If something’s unclear or you have a unique situation, email scholarships@racf.org.

Quick checklist before you apply
- Are you graduating from one of the eight counties listed?
- Are you entering a program in medicine, science, or music?
- Do you meet the GPA and financial-need requirements?
- Can you upload the required documentation on time (initially July 1–Aug 15, and each renewal year)?
- Want preference? Note your Armenian heritage on the application.

If all of that fits, start the Consolidated Scholarship Application on December 1 and follow the document-upload instructions carefully so you won’t delay payment. Good luck — and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.