Rochester Cavalry Troops Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Rochester Community Foundation
Purpose
Provide financial assistance to individuals affiliated with New York Army National Guard units, detachments, or elements based in Monroe County who intend to pursue post‑secondary education.
Who may apply (Eligibility)
- Current National Guard members or those who retired within the past year and who are connected to Patriot Way.
- Spouses and dependent children of those Guard members.
- Surviving spouses and dependent children of Monroe County Guard members connected to Patriot Way who died while on duty, in training, or in combat. (Note: a surviving spouse who has remarried is ineligible.)
All applicants must demonstrate financial need, have scholastic merit (minimum 2.0 GPA), show a satisfactory record of military proficiency and conduct, be accepted at an accredited college, university, or school, and be enrolled at least half time (minimum six credit hours per semester).
Application period
Applications are accepted annually from December 1 through February 28.
Award amounts and quantity
The number of recipients and award sizes vary by year. Awards have historically reached up to $10,000 each and will not exceed the cost of tuition and books. Funds are applied to the student’s account at the school; payment is handled in the fall and may be disbursed as a lump sum or divided equally between the fall and spring semesters once required documentation is submitted.
Permitted uses of the award
Scholarship funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, textbooks, and other higher‑education–related expenses.
How to apply
Begin or continue your submission through the Community Foundation’s Consolidated Scholarship Application portal. By applying to this scholarship you will also be considered for other scholarships included in the Consolidated Application.
Selection process
A review committee made up of Community Foundation staff, representatives of the New York Army National Guard, and community members evaluates applications and selects recipients.
Notification and payment instructions
Recipients receive an award notification email from the Community Foundation in the spring with instructions for claiming the scholarship. To trigger the fall disbursement, you must upload required documents (including class schedule and tuition bill verifying enrollment) to the Community Foundation’s online Scholarship Portal between July 1 and August 15. Scholarships not claimed during the assigned semester will be forfeited. Payments are sent to the institution for the student’s account.
Renewability
This scholarship is not automatically renewable. Eligible students may reapply in subsequent years.
Donor
The Rochester Cavalry Troops Corporation established this scholarship in memory of Major General Kenneth C. Townson.
Questions
For further assistance, email scholarships@racf.org.