Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunities
At Veterans Outreach Center, we believe a veteran’s legacy of service should pave the way for their family’s future success. Below is a variety of educational and skilled-trade scholarships designed to support Rochester-area veterans and their families as they pursue higher education or specialized career training.
Nothing should stand in the way of a veteran seeking a high-value career. At Forged By Valor, they've eliminated financial barriers, allowing veterans to focus 100% on mastering their craft. In partnership with Veterans Outreach Center (VOC), their program is fully funded for initial cohorts, guaranteeing you receive immediate access to training at no cost to veterans.
Note: Scholarship opportunities for Spring 2026 are closed. Fall 2026 scholarship opportunities are available.
Contact a Care Manager at VOC today at 585.546.1081 or click here to learn more >>
The Financial Aid Office works in conjunction with the Veteran and Military Family Services Office to determine award eligibility and to make sure that it is disbursed to the student’s account when applicable.
The University of Rochester is a Yellow Ribbon school. Veterans with Post-9/11 GI Bill coverage at the 100% level will have tuition and mandatory fees covered in full. Your VA benefits will cover up to the maximum amount allowed and the University matches dollar for dollar the remaining expenses.
Scholarships available to members of U.S. Armed Forces and their children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the United States Armed Forces or state-organized militia who died or became disabled performing their military duties.
- Covers the cost of attendance, not to exceed the average cost of attendance charged to NYS resident students at a state-operated SUNY college
- Available to members of U.S. Armed Forces and their children, spouses or financial dependents who died or became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred while performing their military duties, whether in combat or not; or are classified as missing in action while NYS residents
- Enrolled in full-time study (at least 12 credits per term)
Scholarships for students whose parent served in the U.S. Armed Forces during designated periods of war or national emergencies and as a result have passed, become disabled, are missing in action, or were taken as a prisoner of war.
- Receive up to $450 per year
- Be pursuing an approved undergraduate degree at a college or university located in NYS
- Parent must have served during a specified times of war or national emergency.
Folds of Honor provides life-changing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.
Tuition Award for veterans with at least four years of active duty service and combat veterans pursuing an undergraduate, graduate degree or vocational training program.
- Available to students attending SUNY, CUNY and private colleges or participating vocational schools and covers the cost of tuition, but cannot exceed the cost of undergraduate tuition at a state-operated SUNY.
- Available to students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or in an approved vocational training program in New York State
- Available for full-time and part-time study
- Be a legal resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term
The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is a pre-college program which assists veterans and military service members with enrolling in school, which can be any college or training program, not just RIT. This free program assists in all aspects of the college admissions process, including applying for and understanding financial aid benefits, providing refresher courses, one-on-one tutoring, laptop loans, and connections to local resources. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs. VUB helps veterans and service members of all ages navigate the education system, gain access to information about college and career exploration, and improve academic skills needed for successful entry into education. VUB also helps veterans navigate GI Bill benefits.
In partnership with RIT, Rochester Works!, and the Veterans Outreach Center, CEMA provides hands-on training in through hole and surface mount electronics assembly, soldering, and acceptability criteria of electronic assemblies. These free training programs establish the baseline knowledge required of any entry level, supervisory or managerial level position. No prior electronic assembly knowledge is necessary for enrollment. Upon completion of these programs, participants will have earned the respective certifications. These certificates are universally accepted and are considered essential for any job that requires handling, soldering, and quality inspection of electronic assemblies.
At MCC, active military, veterans and their families can find the support they need when transitioning to college life. Their Veteran Services Office assists military students and their dependents with admissions, financial aid, advisement and registration. We also provide information and support as you apply for VA educational benefits, tuition assistance and related services.
The program covers the costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after other forms of tuition assistance, such as NYS TAP, are applied. To be eligible for free tuition in a high-demand field at a SUNY community college, you must meet the following criteria:
- New York State resident
- 25-55 years old
- No college degree
- Planning to study full-time or part-time in an eligible degree program
Starting in July 2026, students will be able to use the Pell Grant to enroll in an eligible workforce program, which could be as short as 8 weeks. Workforce Pell will not only help students complete their educational programs quickly and enter the workforce with little or no student loan debt, but it will also serve as a stepping-stone toward earning a future postsecondary credential.
Veterans Outreach Center is only affiliated with Forged by Valor welding school and RIT’s CEMA . The other opportunities listed above operate independently from VOC. If you have questions or are a veteran interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact us at 585.546.1081 or request services here.