Scholarships WE OFFER

Rochester Education Foundation offers four scholarships annually for college-bound RCSD and Charter School seniors. We are excited for students to have access to these. One is exclusively for Edison, the others are for all Rochester city students ranging from $500 - $5,000 awards. When students apply, they automatically will be considered for all 3 (or 4)  scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 31.

HOW TO APPLY

Students, use the button below for the application form:

The link will be released on January 7, 2025

REF's 2024 Scholarships

The Pat Braus Founder’s Community Service Award Scholarship 

is provided by REF in honor of REF’s founder, Pat Braus. Applicants for this scholarship should exemplify the values of REF and Pat Braus. A student demonstrates these values through academic excellence and extraordinary service to their school or their community. This scholarship is $500.

Criteria:

  • Plan to attend a specific institution: Four-Year School

  • Institution Location Requirement: Unrestricted

  • Intended to pursue a specific course of study: Unrestricted

  • Rochester City resident: Yes

  • Minimum high school grade point average (on a scale of 4.0): 2.8

  • Enrollment Requirement: Full-time (12+ credits)

  • Proficient in a particular area, such as art, music, writing: N/A

  • Community or volunteer service: Yes

  • Financial Need as determined by socio-economic status: Yes

The Edward Wilson, Sr. Memorial Scholarship

will support students of color with college scholarships. Education was instrumental in Mr. Wilson's success and he worked to uplift students and their families, helping them understand their possibilities through schooling. His gregarious personality, nurturing ways, and willingness to elicit laughter made him beloved by many. This scholarship is $5,000.

Criteria:

  • Plan to attend a specific institution: Four-year college or university

  • Institution Location Requirement: Unrestricted

  • Student of Color: Yes

  • Rochester City resident: Yes

  • Intended to pursue a specific course of study: Unrestricted

  • Minimum high school grade point average (on a scale of 4.0): 3.0

  • Enrollment Requirement: Full-time (12+ credits)

  • Proficient in a particular area, such as art, music, writing: N/A

  • Community or volunteer service: Not required, but will be considered

  • Financial Need as determined by socio-economic status: Yes

The Vincent N. Fazio Memorial Scholarship

was created to honor the memory of beloved math teacher Vincent N. Fazio. It is intended to provide support for an exceptional Edison Tech (only) senior in their educational and professional development. This scholarship is $1,500.

Applicants should demonstrate the qualities that Vincent exemplified: excellence and high achievement in academics, particularly math, service to their community and/or school, and good citizenship throughout their high school career.

Criteria:

  • Plan to attend a specific institution: Two- or Four-Year School or Trade School

  • Institution Location Requirement: Unrestricted

  • Intended to pursue a specific course of study: Unrestricted

  • Minimum high school grade point average (on a scale of 4.0): 3.5

  • Enrollment Requirement: None

  • Rochester City resident: Yes

  • Proficient in a particular area, such as art, music, writing: Math

  • Community or volunteer service, and leadership in school community: Yes

The Shashi Gholkar Memorial Scholarship

is provided by the Gholkar Family, REF, and the Rochester Area Community Foundation, in honor of the memory of Shashi Gholkar, an immigrant from India and successful local entrepreneur. This fund is intended to support an RCSD student who will attend a four-year college or university. This scholarship is $1,200. Shashi believed strongly in the power of education and that all children deserve the same opportunities regardless of their financial circumstances.

Criteria:

  • Plan to attend a specific institution: Four-Year School

  • Institution Location Requirement: Unrestricted

  • Rochester City resident: Yes

  • Intended to pursue a specific course of study: Unrestricted

  • Minimum high school grade point average (on a scale of 4.0): 2.8

  • Enrollment Requirement: Full-time (12+ credits)

  • Proficient in a particular area, such as art, music, writing: N/A

  • Community or volunteer service: Not required, but will be considered

  • Financial Need as determined by socio-economic status: Yes