The Fannie Barrier Williams Scholarship Program offers high potential students from low-income families the opportunity to thrive at SUNY Brockport.
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The Fannie Barrier Williams Scholars (FBWS) program will provide four-year scholarships (with the option of a fifth year) to students from low-income families with unmet financial need. Approximately 30 students per year will receive these awards, which will supplement existing State and Federal programs and cover traditional out-of-pocket expenses such as room-and-board and fees.
Crafted in the tradition of Brockport alumna Fannie Barrier Williams, class of 1870 and the first African-American woman to graduate from the University, this program is intended to support a student’s ability to persist to graduation by providing academic, personal, and career support.
The program is aimed at enrolling high potential students who demonstrate financial need, with an intentional focus on students who demonstrate resilience and have overcome adversity.
Student Eligibility
Fannie Barrier Williams Scholars Criteria
All students must first be accepted as an incoming freshman student and enrolled in a degree program at SUNY Brockport.
High School GPA
87 or higher
Financial Standing
Identified as low income with demonstrated financial need
Residency
Must be from Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Ontario or Wayne counties
Fannie Barrier Williams Scholars FAQs
Fannie Barrier Williams was the first Woman of Color to graduate from what was then the Brockport Normal & Training School (the predecessor of SUNY Brockport) in 1870. She was recognized throughout the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a major national leader. She and her husband were associated with Booker T. Washington, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B Wells, and Frederick Douglass, and she played a part in the founding of the NAACP. We could not be more honored to have Fannie Barrier Williams be the namesake of this new scholarship program.
The Fannie Barrier Williams Scholarship will consist of thirty, non-transferable, last-dollar-in awards that are renewable for a student’s four-year duration at Brockport (with the option of a fifth year). This award will cover the remaining gap following a student’s TAP, Pell, Excelsior, Federal Loan, private scholarship, and other merit aid or additional state grants. This award will cover the remaining gap of a student’s direct bill for all four years — including non-tuition expenses such as fees, room/board, and textbooks.
Students selected for the Fannie Barrier Williams Scholarship will be awarded based on their financial aid package. Students must first accept any state and/or federal grants such as the Pell Grant or Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Grant and any federal student loans awarded to a student. Additionally, the Excelsior Scholarship and any additional grants and/or scholarships such as TEACH or STEM may be awarded first. The Fannie Barrier Williams Scholarship will then fund the remaining unmet need. These amounts will vary based on each student’s financial situation as determined by the FAFSA and financial aid staff.
No additional application or essay is required. Students must complete the SUNY or Common application and follow the guidelines for a traditional first-year student. From there, students must complete the FAFSA and be admitted to SUNY Brockport. A review committee will periodically meet to determine eligibility from the documents students submit to the Admissions Office.
Students must live on campus and participate in one of our award-winning Living Learning Communities. Returning second-year students will attend a full-day orientation during Welcome Week prior to the start of their second year. Students must also meet with their Academic Success Center advisor for academic coaching and support, two times a semester. Students must successfully complete a 3-credit, graded first-year seminar class. Lastly, students are expected to embrace campus engagement opportunities such as identity-conscious programming (view our Belonging website) and explore participation in such high impact practices like internships, undergraduate research, etc.
During a student’s first year, they will participate in a 3 credit first-year seminar course, participate in a Living Learning Community and become immersed in campus life. Students will meet with their first-year seminar instructor/Academic Success Center advisor throughout the first year and beyond.
Yes. Students must participate in an early arrival, extended orientation program. Students must live on campus and participate in one of our award-winning Living Learning Communities and participate in Academic Success Center engagement programming.
Returning second-year students will attend a full-day orientation during Welcome Week prior to the start of their second year. Students must also meet with their Academic Success Center advisor for academic coaching and support, two times a semester. Students must successfully complete a 3-credit, graded first-year seminar class. Lastly, students are expected to embrace campus engagement opportunities such as identity-conscious programming (view our Belonging website) and explore participation in such high impact practices like internships, undergraduate research, etc.
Yes. Students who are eligible for the Excelsior Award must apply and accept any award from New York State be eligible for this award. If you are not eligible for Excelsior or do not receive an award from the state, you may still be eligible for the Fannie Barrier Williams Scholarship.
Yes. On-campus residency is required for all four years to assist students with programming and other requirements expected as a Fannie Barrier Williams scholar.
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. Extraordinary Academic Scholarship Program Awards are applied to room expenses 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.