NEW YORK CITY FINANCIAL AID

 The Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship Program

 The Vallone Scholarship was established in 1998 by the City Council of the City of New York.  It was formerly known as the New York City Merit Scholarship and the New York City Council Academic Scholarship, but was renamed to honor Peter F. Vallone, the former Chairman of the City Council. 

 The Scholarship is awarded to students who graduate from either a public or parochial high school in New York City who attend one of the campuses of the City University of New York.  Students must meet the following criteria to be awarded a Vallone Scholarship:

  • graduate from a New York City high school with a “B” average or higher
  • successfully complete at least 12 academic credits in high school. 

Each year, more students admitted to Hunter College are awarded Vallone Scholarships than at any other CUNY college.

 In order to initially receive the Vallone Scholarship, the student must:

  • enroll as a full time student at a CUNY college within one year of their graduation from high school.
  • not attend another post-secondary school after high school graduation, before attendance at a CUNY college.
  • file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the first year of enrollment.

 In order to continue receiving the Vallone Scholarship, the student must:

  • remain continuous, full-time enrollment at a CUNY college
  • maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (cum GPA) of at least 3.0.
  • file a FAFSA each year of enrollment.

If a student fails to meet these requirements, they will no longer receive Vallone Scholarship funds.  Baccalaureate students are eligible to receive a Vallone Scholarship for up to 10 semesters.

 The amount of the Vallone Scholarship can vary annually depending on its inclusion in New York City’s approved annual budget and the amount allocated in the budget for the Scholarship.  For the 2003-04 academic year, the amount of the scholarship was $1,000 annually ($500 for Fall 2005; $500 for Spring 2006).  Scholarship funds are disbursed by the Bursar’s Office at Hunter College after CUNY confirms that the student has met the eligibility criteria.