College Scholarship Opportunities
2026 College Scholarships
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York is proud to help facilitate yearly college scholarships for those with Epilepsy in our local communities.
EFNENY scholarships close Friday, May 15th
Learn more about additional 2026 opportunities below!
Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York College Scholarships:
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York, Inc. is offering college scholarships to graduating high school seniors or students who will be enrolled at any post high school institution of higher learning. These scholarships include:
$500 Scholarship:
The Cindy Hoetzer Scholarship (two scholarships available)
$1,000 Scholarships:
The Stephen Piorkowski Scholarship
The Nick Birchak Strength of Character College Scholarship
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York Scholarship
The Barbara Quackenbush Scholarship
EFNENY Scholarships are due May 15th, 2026
Scholarships will be awarded to students who are currently being treated for epilepsy and have plans to further their education. Recipients of these scholarships in the past are not eligible for additional awards. In addition, students must reside in one of 22 counties served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York.*
Students only need to submit one application to be considered for all awards. If you have any further questions or wish to receive an application, contact Rachel Ifebuzo, Counselor and Program Coordinator at 518-456-7501 or via email at rifebuzo@epilepsyneny.org.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities:
NYU FACES College Scholarship Program
The FACES College Scholarship provides partial financial support for the education of incoming freshmen or currently enrolled undergraduate/graduate students affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders. The award amounts will vary and will not exceed $1,000 per student, depending on the applicant’s financial need. They are seeking to recognize the personal accomplishments of those living with epilepsy during their college journey. Past scholarship recipients are welcome to apply again.
To apply, submit your application and all supporting documents by June 3, 2026.
UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program
In 2024, UCB will award 30 scholarships of up to $5,000 and 3 scholarships of up to $10,000 to people living with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers pursuing higher education.
Thirty applicants who demonstrate academic and personal achievement will receive scholarships of up to $5,000 each. In addition, two applicants will receive Epilepsy Leader Scholarships of up to $10,000 each. Applications for the 2024 scholarship program are closed.
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund
A scholarship for people living with PNES who are furthering their education in college, trade school, through a certification program, etc.
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Charles L. Shor Foundation Epilepsy Scholarship
The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Deadline: March 2, 2026
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the 2025 College Scholarship Recipients:
The Nick Birchak Strength of Character College Scholarship- Brice Skiff
The Stephen Piorkowski Scholarship of Character– Gavin Rice
The Barbara Quackenbush College Scholarship- Madison Dillon
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York Scholarship– Kayla Beaudoin
Cindy Hoetzer Memorial Scholarship- Melina Picard & Aiden Gonzales