Fellowships & Scholarships

Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship

The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship is a three-year program that provides unprecedented opportunities to remarkable students to further their personal, professional, and cultural potential, including paid summer internships and other unique professional experiences in NYC, the U.S. and abroad. JK Watson Fellows receive annual funding over three years of $7,500, $9,000 and $10,000, an additional $2,000 Discovery Fund for further professional development exploration, guided mentorship by experienced staff, the opportunity to build relationships with a cohort of close-knit peers, and a series of unique cultural events and seminars that build skills and complement the fellowship experience. To be eligible, applicants must be undergraduate students who have at least four full-time semesters of academic work remaining. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are no older than 21 as of the application deadline.

The CSI campus deadline to apply for the JK Watson Fellowship is January 27, 2025. If you are interested in applying, please contact Michele Callahan at michele.callahan@csi.cuny.edu or 718.982.2332. 
    

America Needs You Fellowship

The America Needs You Fellowship is an intensive two-year program for high-achieving, low-income, first-generation college students attending a CUNY school. To be eligible, applicants must also be undergraduate students in their first or second year of college, who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for full-time and off-campus internships as well as paid employment opportunities in the U.S. The program offers students career development workshops, access to internships, and stipends totaling $2,000. All Fellows are matched one-on-one with a successful and motivated professional “Mentor Coach” dedicated to their personal and professional growth. The priority consideration deadline is December 6, 2024, and the final application deadline is April 1, 2025. For further information and assistance with your application, please contact Michele Callahan at michele.callahan@csi.cuny.edu or 718.982.2332.

CSI Scholarship Program

The scholarship program at the College of Staten Island recognizes academic excellence and college / community service. In addition to scholarships offered directly by the College, the CSI Foundation, and departments and associations of the College, memorial scholarships have been endowed through the generosity of many individuals and organizations who value higher education. Scholarships support, in varying ways, the education of our community.  For more information see Frequently Asked Questions below:

Contact Information

Michele Callahan

Fellowship and Scholarship Advisor

Building 1A, Room 210C
Email Michele Callahan

College of Staten Island Scholarship FAQ

 

Am I Eligible?
CSI Scholarships are for matriculated students only.  Macaulay Honors College students are not eligible to apply to the CSI Scholarship program.

Incoming Freshmen

  • Maintain a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or 85% average (with some exceptions).
  • Applicants may be full-time or part-time students. Full-time status is given preference for the majority of CSI Scholarships. 
  • Meet the CUNY proficiency requirements in English and math.

Continuing Students

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (with some exceptions).
  • Applicants may be full-time or part-time students. Full-time status is given preference for the majority of CSI Scholarships. 
  • Meet the CUNY proficiency requirements in English and math.

Transfer Students

  • Transfer a minimum of 24 credits from previous college(s).
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.0 (with some exceptions).
  • Applicants may be full-time or part-time students. Full-time status is given preference for the majority of CSI Scholarships.
  • Meet the CUNY proficiency requirements in English and math.

Graduate Students

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (with some exceptions).
  • Applicants may be full-time or part-time students. A course load of at least six credits is given preference for the majority of graduate-level CSI Scholarships.   

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How do I apply?

The Fall 2025-Spring 2026 CSI Scholarship application cycle is currently open. Please click here to log into the scholarship application system. 

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What is the Deadline?
For the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 application cycle, the deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. 

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How is my application evaluated?
Completed applications will be evaluated and rated by the Faculty Review Committee. Applications are scored using a combination of academic merit and College/community service, while also taking into consideration financial need and other aspects of the student's background. Competition for scholarships varies from year to year, based on the number of applicants and is always rigorous.  

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How will I be notified?
Applicants will receive a scholarship award or non-award letter from the Division of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs via email. By applying for a CSI Scholarship, recipients agree to write a thank-you letter to the donor(s) of the awards and attend a scholarship ceremony/reception upon invitation either virtually or in-person based on current protocols during the pandemic. Recipients also agree to authorize access to their educational records.

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What if I want to study abroad?

Scholarships and awards for study abroad are available through the Center for Global Engagement at the College of Staten Island. The College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS), through which CSI is a partnering institution, also provides scholarships for specially designated study abroad programs. CCIS award amounts vary. For more information on scholarships and financing study abroad, visit the CCIS website.

Students interested in study abroad programs should visit the Center for Global Engagement:

A listing of scholarships offered through the Center for Global Engagement may be found on our study abroad financial aid and scholarships page. Scholarship awards are available for semester, summer, and winter study abroad programs, and typically range up to $4,000.

Awards are for matriculated CSI students only.

Applications for these particular scholarships can be obtained via the Center's webpage.

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Non-Discrimination Policy
The College of Staten Island is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action institution. The College does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship, religion, race, color, national or ethnic origin, handicap, veteran or marital status in its student admissions, employment, access to programs, and administration of educational policies.

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External Fellowships and Scholarships
External fellowships and scholarships offer many opportunities, ranging from local fellowships and scholarships to the most prestigious in the nation. Students may apply for awards based on major/career field and demographic criteria, among other qualifications. Several fellowship programs offer wonderful career enhancing opportunities through internships, professional development, and mentoring. To learn more, please contact Michele Callahan, Fellowship & Scholarship Advisor, at 718.982.2332 or michele.callahan@csi.cuny.edu.