Four simple ways to improve your local scholarship application

April 24 is the deadline to apply for scholarships created by Finger Lakes families, businesses, and organizations.

Getting $1,000 for a couple hours of work sounds like a scam, right?

Most of the time, the answer would be yes.

But it happens for more than 200 students every year when the FLCC Foundation distributes more than $250,000 in local scholarships. Most of the awards are in the $1,000 range.

FLCC automatically considers anyone who applies by March 1 for some scholarships. For others, students need to complete an application, which usually takes about two hours or less and involves providing basic information and answering three brief essay questions. The online application opens on Feb. 2 and closes on April 24.

Luke White is a graduate of Spencerport High School. He received the Garmezy and Murphy Viticulture Scholarship and the Uncork Your Future! Gallo-Canandaigua Winery Scholarship. Local scholarships are created by families, businesses, and organizations, often to honor or memorialize a special person. Donors establish criteria for the students they want to support. For example, some families want to help first-generation college students. Businesses often want to encourage students pursuing certain majors.

FLCC uses a single application for all scholarships. The system sorts and filters students for eligibility based on their answers. This part is fairly cut-and-dried. For example, only students taking a math class can receive the FLCC Mathematics Department Award in Memory of Sherman Hunt, named for a beloved math professor. Only students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program are eligible for the EOP Scholarship.

The application includes three essay questions. The current questions are:

• What are your career goals, and how will your chosen course of study help you accomplish them? (250-word limit)
• Tell us about a challenge, success, or accomplishment you have experienced and what you have learned from it. (500-word limit)
• How will a scholarship help you achieve your educational goals? (250-word limit)

Alexa Ocampo, a 2025 Elba High School graduate studying kinesiology and human performance, received the FLCC Foundation Scholarship. A handful of scholarships require an additional essay. Students only need to complete these if they are eligible.

The Write Place will hold a scholarship workshop for current students on Tuesday, March 3, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Stage 14.

Here are four basic tips to help strengthen your scholarship application.

The details matter

Make sure your actual or intended major is listed correctly in college records. Many scholarships are available only to students in certain majors. It also matters whether you are a current, returning, or new student. For example, the Ontario County Arts Council Mariner Family Scholarship is only available to second-year students in the visual and performing arts.

Take time with the essays

Consider writing drafts and asking someone to review your answers. Think about your life experiences so far, including part-time jobs, places you have traveled, and people who have been influential in your life. Reviewers want to understand your life and your goals. 

Use full sentences and proper punctuation. Never use text shorthand such as IDK or BTW. Do not reuse the same response for more than one question. Stick to the word limits.

Finish the job

Never leave basic information or essay questions blank. And don’t forget to select the Submit button at the end of the application.

Watch your email

FLCC scholarship awards are made during the summer, and students are notified by email. Recipients must accept the scholarship within a specific time frame. Check your email daily and respond promptly so you don’t miss the opportunity to make college more affordable.

Varun Naidoo, an international student from South Africa who received the FLCC Foundation Scholarship, spoke at the scholarship reception in fall 2025.