The Prometheus Scholarship
The Prometheus Scholarship is awarded to qualified first-year students every fall semester. For the fall entering class of first-year student Honors students, the Prometheus Scholarship includes an award in the amount of $6,000 and a campus parking pass. In addition to the Prometheus Scholarship, Honors students receive priority registration privileges, first choice placement in a Living Learning Community, and other benefits.
The scholarship is renewable up to four years as long as a student meets the Terms of Award, which include completing 24 credits per academic year and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
Questions regarding renewal of the Prometheus Scholarship or the policies and procedures listed below should contact (585) 395-2501.
Terms of the Award
Each year students are offered and accept SUNY Brockport’s Prometheus Scholarship. The University makes the offer of this award to qualified students with the offer of admission the acceptance into the Honors College. In order to receive and renew this scholarship students are required to meet the terms of award which are listed below. Any questions regarding the Honors College or scholarship eligibility should be directed to Austin Busch at (585) 395-5400 or by email. The Terms of Award in order to receive and renew the Prometheus Scholarship are listed below. Any questions regarding these terms should be directed to Deidre Strutz, Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
Nature of Award
The Prometheus Scholarship consists of a waiver that is applied to room expenses. This non-tuition award will be credited to the recipient’s account to assist with coverage of these on-campus resident expenses.
Confirming Eligibility Requirements
Final high school transcripts noting date of graduation are required and failure to meet the requirements for your scholarship may cause you to lose eligibility for the scholarship. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions should receive the transcripts no later than two weeks prior to the semester of enrollment. Continued eligibility in terms of GPA and SAT/ACT, if applicable, will be checked by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Failure to provide final transcripts before the starting date of the fall semester will result in the cancellation of the award. Please check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to make certain that these final transcripts have been received.
On Campus Residency
Students receiving a Prometheus Scholarship are required to reside on campus in the residence halls during the fall and spring semesters, and all subsequent semesters that they receive the scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the immediate loss of the scholarship for the current and all subsequent semesters. However, if at any time an Honors student chooses to live off-campus, they still continue to receive a parking pass (renewable up to four years) as long as they remain in the Honors College.
Please note: Prometheus Scholarship students are eligible to reside in the student townhomes and Eagle Hall. However, students will not qualify for their full award and will only receive a $1,000 credit ($500 per semester) against their room charge and will be financially responsible for the balance.
Campus Involvement
It is expected and encouraged that all scholarship recipients will become involved in campus activities and events. Prometheus Scholarship recipients are expected to serve as role models for their peers and actively participate in and contribute to campus life through the various clubs and organizations, the Brockport Student Government, in the residence halls or by other means.
Full Time Study Status
All scholars must maintain full-time status (minimum 12 credits per semester) for the fall and spring semesters while receiving a scholarship. Anyone taking or reducing their academic load to less than full-time study will lose eligibility for the scholarship for the current and all subsequent semesters. Although 12 credits are considered to be full-time status, all scholarship recipients are encouraged to take a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Credits taken at Brockport during the summer or courses taken elsewhere will not be considered toward meeting this credit requirement.
Grade Point Average
All scholars must maintain an institutional GPA of at least 3.25 for the renewal of the scholarship for the next academic year. This criterion will be reviewed annually after the spring semester, at which time all scholars must have a minimum 3.25 institutional GPA. If an institutional GPA falls below a 3.25 after the fall semester, scholars will have the spring semester to bring their institutional GPA back up to at least a 3.25.
Continuous Attendance
Scholars are expected to maintain continuous attendance for the fall and spring semesters for the duration of their scholarships. Those separating from the University or taking a leave of absence will forfeit eligibility for the scholarship and may not regain eligibility if they return in a subsequent semester.
Overseas Study/Washington Semester/Public Service Internship/Disney Semester
A number of students may wish to take advantage of an overseas semester of study or take part in the Washington, Public Service or Disney semester programs. Students may not receive a scholarship for a period of Overseas, Washington, Public Service or Disney study. Their scholarship may be reinstated upon return providing all other requirements have been met. This exception will be granted for only one semester of Overseas, Washington, Public Service or Disney study.
Note: This exception does not apply to a semester of study taken through another institution.
Function Attendance
There may be occasions where Prometheus Scholarship recipients are invited or required to attend functions such as receptions, honors and award ceremonies, focus groups, etc. They are encouraged to attend these events and are required to attend mandatory events. Absences from mandatory events must be excused prior to the events. Excused absence requests should be submitted to Dr. Austin Busch, Director of the Honors College.
Filing of Financial Aid Applications
It is encouraged that all scholars annually apply for federal and state aid by filing both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), NYS Tuition Assistance Application (TAP) and other required forms by the published recommended deadlines.
Coordination with Other Financial Aid
In no case may a student’s total aid exceed the cost of attendance figure as calculated by the Financial Aid Office. In addition, if federal self-help aid (federal loans or work-study employment) is received, total aid may not exceed the student’s documented financial need as displayed on the student’s financial aid award letter. If an overaward does occur, it will be necessary to reduce offered aid by first reducing federal self-help aid (loans or employment) and then reducing the Prometheus Scholarship if necessary. Receipt of additional aid after the initial award letter has been sent may result in an aid adjustment.
Prometheus Scholars as Resident Assistants (RA)
Each year there are Prometheus Scholarship recipients that are hired as resident assistants in the residence halls. Students who are employed as resident assistants receive a full room and partial board waiver. This benefit duplicates the funds already received from a Prometheus Scholarship and will result in the cancellation of the scholarship. The original scholarship received with the offer of admission would be reinstated if the student ceases to be a resident assistant, providing all other eligibility criteria have been met.
Taxability of Scholarships
The Federal 1986 Tax Reform Act affects all scholarships and fellowships, including New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Teach, institutional grants, scholarships or fellowships, which are to be considered as federal taxable income. Student loans are not considered income for federal tax purposes. Matriculated students may exclude amounts used for tuition and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction. Prometheus Scholarships are applied to room expenditures and as such are considered to be taxable income. It is very important that students keep receipts to document any excludable expenditures. The law places upon the student the obligation to determine the taxable amount of their scholarships and fellowships by offsetting the above allowable expense against the total of all grants received. Domestic students please contact the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or your tax preparer if you have any questions.
Tax Withholding Regulations for Nonresident Alien Scholarships
Federal policy requires all Colleges and Universities to withhold a designated dollar amount from scholarships and grants awarded to nonresident aliens as anticipated tax payments. The amount withheld may differ based upon the student’s country of origin’s tax treaty with the United States.
The school must withhold tax at 14% (or lower treaty rate depending on a student’s country of origin) of the taxable part of any grant or scholarship for nonresident alien students or grantees with an *F, *J, *M, or *Q visa who receive a U.S. source grant or scholarship that is not fully exempt. Payments made to nonresident alien students in any other immigration status are subject to 30% withholding. An alien student may claim a tax treaty exemption for a scholarship by submitting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-8BEN to the Payroll Office. The scholarship recipient must provide his or her SS# or Individual Taxpayer Number (ITIN) on Form W- 8BEN if their country of origin has such a treaty with the United States.
This federal taxation policy will reduce the amount that a scholarship covers for room expenses. Students will most likely have an amount owing on their student bill and will be required to pay this remaining balance to the Office of Student Accounts.
International students may visit www.irs.gov/publications/p519/index.htm for further information on the taxability of scholarships regarding nonresident aliens. For further questions regarding this tax policy, please contact the Office of International Education at (585) 395-2119.
Conduct
It is expected that all Prometheus Scholarship recipients will adhere to the Codes of Student Social Conduct and all University policies. They are expected to foster integrity, civility and justice. Scholarship students subject to disciplinary action, either due to academic misconduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) or student behavioral conduct actions, may lose their scholarship eligibility.