Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial Aid (FAFSA)
An important source of financial aid is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first step is to set up an account here.
Scholarships
Every dollar is important, so do not overlook scholarships provided by employers, unions, churches and service groups with which you are associated. All applications have a deadline and most require the submission of specific documents, such as a transcript and an essay, so read the directions closely.
Applications are also available in the LHS Guidance Office.
For those who plan on attending a SUNY or CUNY school and whose family income is less than $125,000 per year can qualify for free tuition. For more details and how to apply for the Excelsior Scholarship, visit the program page.
Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship
The purpose of the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship is to assist students who have been affected by breast cancer in some way to achieve their college aspirations. Breast cancer can take a terrible toll on a family by taking a loved one, draining financial resources and creating emotional challenges. This scholarship is awarded to help graduating seniors and eligible college students who have been affected by breast cancer in a meaningful way and who have turned those challenges into positive action. Multiple awards are available
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
2025-26 Sullivan County Sheriff’s PBA Robert Chemerys Memorial Scholarship
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s PBA Scholarship program provides financial assistance to students in Sullivan County. This scholarship is based on academics, community service and financial need. To be eligible for the Robert Chemerys Memorial Scholarship you must be a graduating senior who resides in Sullivan County and is pursuing a career in the field of criminal justice or any police related field.
- Deadline: March 27, 2026
- Amount: N/A
2025-26 Sullivan County Sheriff’s PBA Debra Hall Memorial Scholarship
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s PBA Scholarship program provides financial assistance to students in Sullivan County. This scholarship is based on academics, community service and financial need. To be eligible for the Debra Hall Memorial Scholarship you must be a graduating senior residing in Sullivan County and pursuing a career in the field of Veterinarian Science or something associated with Animal Services.
- Deadline: March 27, 2026
- Amount: N/A
Jean DeGrace Crandall Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was set up as a memorial to Jean DeGrace Crandall, educator and friend to the migrant community. She worked as a Tutor Advocate for the Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Outreach Program (MEOP), a folklorist for the Dutchess County Arts Council and was the owner/operator of La Mula Chula in Rhinebeck, a store featuring fair-trade Mexican folk art, which she imported herself. An annual scholarship will be awarded for post-secondary assistance to a migrant farmworker or child of a migrant farmworker (with a preference for those from Mexico) with a history of migration to Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, or Westchester Counties in New York State.
- Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Amount: $1,000 minimum
Sullivan County Veterans Coalition
The Sullivan County Veterans Coalition is again making available our scholarship program for local graduating high school students that qualify as veteran decedents. Students must be a son, daughter, nephew, niece or grandchild of an honorable serving or discharged veteran. See Guidance for application
- Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Amount: N/A
The Christin Ann Bambino Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a college or technical school-bound special education student with an active IEP or 504 plan from a NYSIR-member school district to reward him or her for working through special challenges to complete high school and obtain acceptance to a college or university. There will be nine scholarship winners.
- Deadline: April 2, 2026
- Amount: up to $5,000
The Joseph Goncalves Student Humanitarian Scholarship
This scholarship, one in the amount of $5,000, the other for $3,000, will be awarded to a graduating senior from a NYSIR subscriber district who plans to attend college in New York State. Applying students should be able to demonstrate a record of involvement and work for a cause or organization that actively promotes social justice, equal opportunity, relief of human suffering or similar aspirations generally understood to be within the meaning of humanitarian activity. Diversity is encouraged.
- Deadline: April 2, 2026
- Amount: up to $5,000
The Paul Jensen Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, one in the amount of $5,000, and other for $3,000, will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated an inspired imagination and creative aesthetic in his or her school career, and who is seeking an opportunity to attend college
- Deadline: April 2, 2026
- Amount: up to $5,000
Albert M. Paves, Jr. Scholarship
Established in loving memory of Albert M. Pavese, Jr., the Albert M. Pavese, Jr. Scholarship awards one (1) scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each year to a graduating high school senior from Orange, Sullivan, or Westchester counties. This scholarship is intended to assist students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, a commitment to community service, and a plan to pursue a degree in Science.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $1,000
Center for Prayer and Meditation Scholarship
The Center for Prayer and Meditation Scholarship awards ten (10) scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to graduating seniors who are children of Middletown Medical employees and who attend one of the eligible school districts listed below. Applicants must plan to continue their education at an accredited two or four year college or university.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $2,500 (10)
Daniel Thalmann Scholarship
Established in memory of Danny, a devoted father, business owner, and Liberty community member, the Daniel Thalmann Scholarship Fund for the Liberty Lions Club will award scholarships to graduating seniors from Sullivan County high schools who are furthering their educations at a trade school. The scholarship will be promoted by Sullivan County high schools and available through the CFOS online portal. The fund representatives will evaluate the applicants and recommend recipients.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $1,000
Devin Michael Housman Memorial Scholarship
The Devin Michael Housman Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to one graduating student from a high school in Orange County and one graduating student from a high school in Sullivan County. Both students will have special education classifications (IEPs) and will be pursuing careers in the arts. The students will also have displayed kindness to others.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: N/A
Dr. Nathan L. Rosenblum Scholarship
The Dr. Nathan L. Rosenblum Scholarship awards one (1) $1,000 scholarship annually to a graduating high school senior from an Orange or Sullivan County school who plans to pursue studies at the collegiate level in Spiritual Studies or the Humanities. This scholarship supports students whose academic interests reflect a commitment to deeper inquiry, understanding, and the development of consciousness through these fields of study.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $1,000
Earle & Elizabeth Wilde – Cornell Cooperative Extension SC Scholarship
The Earle and Elizabeth Wilde Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Scholarship awards two (2) scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to graduating high school seniors from Sullivan County who are pursuing an agricultural-related field of study. This scholarship supports students continuing their education at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill or Morrisville.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $2,000 (2)
John and Deb Rath Health Services Scholarship
The John and Deb Rath Health Services Scholarship provides scholarship support to students from the Hudson Valley region of New York and New Jersey who are pursuing degrees in nursing or other allied health fields.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $2,000 (2)
Liberty Rotary Club Scholarships
The Liberty Rotary Club Scholarships are awarded annually to graduating seniors from Liberty Central High School who exemplify Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self. Funded through the Liberty Rotary Club and community supporters, these scholarships recognize students who demonstrate strong academic effort, meaningful community involvement, and a commitment to service at the local, national, or global level. Multiple scholarships may be awarded each year, with award amounts varying based on available funds and selection criteria.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: various
The Nebrasky Foundation
The Nebrasky Foundation Scholarship awards scholarships of varying amounts, up to $2,500, to residents of the Hudson Valley pursuing education or training beyond high school. This scholarship supports students following diverse pathways, including college, vocational or career and technical education, and apprenticeships for skilled trades. Funding may also be used to assist with related expenses such as tools, uniforms, and other necessary materials.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: up to $2,500
The Periwinkle Fund for the Arts
The Sunna Rasch Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in the Performing Arts is awarded annually through the Periwinkle Fund for the Arts to support graduating high school seniors from Sullivan County who are pursuing a degree in the performing arts. One (1) scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded each year to a student who has demonstrated passion, commitment, and promise in the performing arts or arts education.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $2,000
Peter H. Cahalan Scholarship
The Peter H. Cahalan Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Peter H. Cahalan and to support graduating high school seniors from Sullivan County. This scholarship awards one (1) $1,000 scholarship and one (1) $500 scholarship to students planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university and who demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, and an interest in finance or sports-related fields of study.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $1,000/$500
Roy D. Parker Scholarship
The Roy D. Parker Education Scholarship awards scholarships in varying amounts each year to residents of Orange and Sullivan Counties who plan to pursue higher education at SUNY Orange, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown, NY, or Mount Saint Mary College. This scholarship supports students committed to advancing their education through accredited degree or certificate programs at these institutions.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: various
Sullivan County Bar Association
The Ira Jay Cohen Scholarship was established by the Sullivan County Bar Association to honor the memory of Ira Jay Cohen, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County and a dedicated attorney and public servant. This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Sullivan County who plan to pursue a career in public service or law. Two (2) scholarships in the amount of $750 each are awarded annually to students continuing their education at the college level
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Amount: $750 (2)
Jacob E. Gunther, III Memorial Criminal Justice Scholarship
The Sullivan County Probation Officers Association is pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the Jacob E. Gunther, III, Memorial Scholarship. Two scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each, will be awarded to deserving graduating seniors from the school districts in the 100th District of the New York Assembly, one from Sullivan County and one from Orange County/Ulster County. Criteria for consideration include academic achievement, community service, financial need and acceptance to an accredited college or university to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.
- Deadline: April 17, 2026
- Amount: $1,000
Liberty Elementary PTA Scholarship
Liberty Elementary PTA will award two scholarships in the amount of $500 each to graduating seniors. The scholarship may be used toward tuition, fees, or books. Scholarships are awarded as a one-time, non-renewable award payable to the student. Recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee of the Liberty Elementary PTA.
- Deadline: May 8, 2026
- Amount: $500 (2)