The University Student Senate (USS) was founded in 1972 with the mission of preserving the accessibility, affordability, and excellence of higher education within The City University of New York. The organization is charged with protecting the rights of the student body, furthering the cause of public higher education, and promoting the general welfare of its student constituents and the University.

Each year, the USS offers scholarships for CUNY students in four different categories (see below). Four students are chosen in each category by each CUNY campus, and then these applicants are forwarded to the CUNY Central Office, where the final winner is chosen in each category.

For all four categories of scholarships, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

  • All applicants must be matriculated in a degree-granting program.
  • Undergraduate students must be registered for at least six credits; graduate students must be registered for at least three credits.
  • Students must still be in attendance for at least the upcoming fall semester after the deadline (Fall 2016); therefore, graduating seniors are not eligible.
  • Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least 24 credits; graduate applicants must have completed at least six credits. Students in graduate programs with degree requirements of more than 30 credits must have completed a minimum of 12 credits.
  • Students may only apply for one of the scholarship categories each academic year.
  • Applicants must live in NYC.

 

Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship

Awards undergraduate students for demonstrating outstanding academic and leadership performance under extraordinary circumstances.

Additional Eligibility: Students must have attained at least a 3.5 GPA

Award Amount: $1,500

 

Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Recognizes undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances.

Additional Eligibility: Students must have attained at least a 2.5 GPA

Award Amount: $1,000

 

Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for International Students

Recognizes undergraduate and graduate international students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances.

Additional Eligibility: Students must have attained at least a 2.5 GPA

Award Amount: $1,000

 

The Graduate Peer Mentoring Scholarship

Awards graduate students for demonstrating a tremendous effort to help undergraduate or other graduate students through academic support, professional development, and leadership development within their college community.

Additional Eligibility: Students must have attained at least a 3.0 GPA

Award Amount: $1,000


Procedure to Apply

As each CUNY campus must first nominate finalists from their own school, applications must be submitted to the Career & Scholarship Center in Building 1A, Room 105 by the College of Staten Island’s internal deadline of Monday, Mar. 21, 2016.  A committee will then review CSI applications and nominate four students in each category to be sent to the final stage of the competition at CUNY.

Applications may be downloaded online.

Applicants to the Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for International Students must submit additional documentation verifying their status as an international student (see online application for a list of required documents).

Applicants to the Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for Students with Disabilities must additionally submit a letter verifying eligibility from the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility.

Applicants to The Graduate Peer Mentoring Scholarship must additionally submit a degree audit. This may be a letter from a faculty advisor or chairperson stating the remaining courses needed to complete your degree.

Special Notes

  • If you have surpassed the credit maximum stated in the application, you may still be eligible to apply. Credit maximums are set as a general policy; however, students may apply as long as they will still be enrolled at CSI for at least the Fall 2016 semester.
  • Do not order an official transcript. The CSI committee will have access to your CUNYfirst transcripts when nominating finalists. Official transcripts will be ordered on behalf of the chosen finalists.

 

Clarification of Application Instructions:

  • “An official letter verifying enrollment of the current academic year.” Verification of enrollment letters may be obtained from the Registrar. Current academic year pertains to the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters.
  • “Bursar receipts for the current and upcoming semesters.” Students may print the screen from their CUNYfirst accounts showing fulfillment of payment for the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters.
  • For Part II of the application (Academic Information):

“Number of credits you are currently enrolled for” pertains to Fall 2015.

“Number of credits you plan to take in the spring semester” pertains to Spring 2016.

“Number of credits earned toward your degree” pertains to the total number of credits you have completed at the end of the Fall 2015 semester.

For questions or additional information, contact Michele Galati, Fellowship and Scholarship Advisor, at michele.galati@csi.cuny.edu or 718.982.2301.