UB is New York’s flagship, and its freshman class is overwhelmingly New Yorkers: about 96% of U.S. first-years who enrolled in fall 2025 were state residents. That shapes how the money works. In-state families are working with low SUNY tuition plus state aid like TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship. Out-of-state families face a much bigger bill and lean on the Provost Scholarship. Same campus, two very different playbooks, and this page walks through both.
Presidential Scholarship (more than in-state tuition and fees for NY residents)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at UB (Read This First)
Nov 1 is the money date. Applying by the Early Action deadline gets your student priority merit consideration. There is no separate form for the automatic awards, so the application itself is the scholarship application.
There is no merit chart. UB doesn’t publish GPA or test score cutoffs for any automatic award. You’ll see the amount when it shows up on the Applicant Status Page.
Pride of New York can’t touch tuition. The automatic award for New York residents can only be used for non-tuition costs like fees.
The Presidential Scholarship is a second application. It’s due Jan 4 for fall 2027, and your student can’t start it until the Applicant Status Page login arrives, usually about a week after applying to UB.
Accept by May 1 or lose it. Merit offers that aren’t accepted by May 1 (Dec 1 for spring entry) are permanently withdrawn.
UB is not part of SUNY Tuition Match. Buffalo State is a different school. Out-of-state families shouldn’t count on that discount here.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University at Buffalo is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 27–31; SAT: 1220–1390.
Average net price? About $20,529/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No broad regional reciprocity path.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University at Buffalo: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University at Buffalo has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$600 to $1,500 more than the in-state total below.$1,000 to $2,600 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$29,642
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$11,036
Housing & meals (typical)
$18,606
Total billed cost
$29,642
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$51,642
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$33,036
Housing & meals (typical)
$18,606
Total billed cost
$51,642
That is $22,000 more per year than New York residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $20,529 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
New York Families: How the Pieces Fit Together
For in-state families, UB’s bill really has two halves. Tuition ($7,070) is where New York state aid lives: TAP, and for families with income of $125,000 or less, the
Excelsior Scholarship.
Everything else (about $3,966 in fees plus housing and meals) is the part families usually end up covering. That’s exactly why UB’s Pride of New York Scholarship
is limited to non-tuition costs. It’s designed to sit on top of state aid, not compete with it.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University at Buffalo
How much does UB cost for New York residents in 2026-27?
The billed costs are $7,070 tuition plus $3,966 in fees ($11,036), and $18,606 for a double room with the Flex 19 meal plan. That’s $29,642 billed. UB’s full cost of attendance, which adds books, transportation, and personal expenses, is $36,530.
How much does UB cost for out-of-state students?
Non-resident tuition is $29,070, so tuition and fees come to $33,036. Add housing and meals and the billed total is $51,642, with a full cost of attendance of $58,530. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas pay higher fees that include SUNY health insurance, for an estimated $61,030.
Can UB really be tuition-free for New York families?
It can be through the Excelsior Scholarship, if your household income is $125,000 or less. The catch: your student must enroll full time, complete 30 credits a year, and live and work in New York for as many years as they received the award. Excelsior is built around tuition, so fees, housing, and meals are still on you.
Is UB part of the SUNY Tuition Match for out-of-state students?
No. SUNY’s Tuition Match covers 19 campuses for students from eight states, and UB isn’t one of them. Buffalo State University is on the list, which is where a lot of the confusion comes from. At UB, out-of-state students rely on the Provost and Presidential scholarships instead.
Can an out-of-state student qualify for in-state tuition later?
Rarely. New York requires 12 months of permanent domicile in the state before the semester, and living in New York just to attend college doesn’t count. The one targeted exception is the Ongwe’onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship, which drops tuition to the in-state rate for enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribes and nations.
What does the $20,529 average net price actually mean?
It’s the most recent federal figure for what families paid after grants and scholarships, and it includes housing. Families who qualify for Pell, TAP, or Excelsior often pay less. Families with no aid pay closer to the full sticker price.
Is it cheaper if my student lives at home?
Yes, a lot cheaper. UB’s budget for an in-state student living with a parent is $22,698 for the year, compared with $36,530 living on campus.
Aug 1: The UB application opens (ApplySUNY, Common App, or Coalition).
Early September: The Presidential Scholarship application opens.
Nov 1: Early Action deadline and priority merit consideration.
Dec 15: Honors College priority consideration.
Jan 4: Presidential Scholarship application due (fall 2027 entry).
Mar 1: UB’s FAFSA priority date.
May 1: Accept merit offers or they’re permanently withdrawn.
Parent rule of thumb: treat Nov 1 as your real deadline, even if your student is still deciding between schools.
Automatic Merit Scholarships: University at Buffalo
UB reviews every completed application for merit automatically. There’s no separate form or essay, and test scores are optional for scholarships too.
Apply by November 1 for priority consideration. UB doesn’t publish award amounts or cutoffs, so the offer simply shows up on the Applicant Status Page after admission.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidFull TuitionApp Requiredstate residencyneed based
Excelsior Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Separate HESC application by Aug 31 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
✔ Stackable
NY resident; household federal AGI $125,000 or less; 12 credits a term and 30 completed credits a year with no gaps; state-operated SUNY or CUNY; live and work in NY after graduation for as many years as you received it, or it converts to a no-interest loan
✚
Stacking & Combining
A last-dollar program: after TAP, Pell, and other tuition grants, the state pays whatever SUNY tuition is left, up to $7,070. Tuition only; fees, housing, and meals are not covered. The 30-credit rule is strict and the residency obligation is real. Stacks with campus scholarships that cover non-tuition costs.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a University at Buffalo award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Families between roughly $80,000 and $125,000, since TAP and Pell already cover tuition below that. The losses are on credits, not grades: a dropped class that leaves a student at 27 credits for the year ends the award, and a student who takes a job out of state after graduation owes the money back.
State AidFull TuitionApp Requiredstate residencyservice
NYS STEM Incentive Program
📅 Deadline: Senior-year application window; next window not yet posted ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
✔ Stackable
Top 10.0% of the high school class; approved STEM major at a SUNY or CUNY; apply during senior year only and enroll the next fall; five years living and working in NY in a STEM job afterward, or it converts to a 10-year loan with interest; cannot be combined with Excelsior
✚
Stacking & Combining
Pays SUNY resident tuition, $7,070, reduced by TAP and other tuition aid. No income test, so it is the top-10% family's answer to Excelsior. The service commitment is the price: five years in a New York STEM job.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a University at Buffalo award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-10% seniors who commit to a STEM major and to New York. The rank is exact (10.4% does not qualify) and the window is senior year only, so a family that learns about it in the fall of freshman year has already missed it.
State AidAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Tuition Assistance Program
📅 Deadline: FAFSA and TAP application; final cutoff June 30 after the aid year ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$5,665/yr
✔ Stackable
NY resident for 12 months; NYS net taxable income $125,000 or less for dependent students; full time (part-time TAP exists separately); FAFSA plus a separate TAP application every year
✚
Stacking & Combining
New York's main need grant, $1,000 to $5,665 a year on a sliding income scale. At a SUNY campus it pays most or all of tuition for the lowest-income families. Stacks with Pell and campus aid, and it is the base that Excelsior builds on. Two forms every year: the FAFSA and the TAP application.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a University at Buffalo award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Families under $125,000 who finished the separate TAP application after the FAFSA. The TAP form is its own step on the HESC site, and the students who show up with Pell but no TAP are almost always the ones who stopped at the FAFSA confirmation screen.
State AidApp Requiredstate residency
NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence
📅 Deadline: High school nomination; deadline set by the school ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
$500–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Nominated by the high school based on Regents exam scores; no application; must enroll the fall right after graduation; public or private NY college
✚
Stacking & Combining
$500 or $1,500 a year for four years, awarded by Regents scores and nominated by the high school. Small but automatic and renewable at a C average. Stacks with TAP, Excelsior, and college aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a University at Buffalo award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent NY page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top Regents scorers whose high school submitted the nomination. There is nothing for a family to do except confirm with the guidance office that the nomination went in, and that is exactly the step nobody takes.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automaticgeographic
Provost Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Early April for fall admits; late November for spring admits ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Automatic merit award for domestic out-of-state first-years; amount set holistically; must be used for direct costs.
Domestic out-of-state first-year students. Accept the offer by May 1 for fall entry (Dec 1 for spring) or it is permanently withdrawn. Renew with 12+ credits each semester, at least 24 credits completed per year, and a 3.00 overall UB GPA. The amount may be adjusted if the student later becomes a New York resident.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provost funds must be applied to direct educational expenses such as tuition and fees, and total aid cannot exceed UB's cost of attendance. If UB later sends a new award letter with a higher amount, the new offer replaces the original rather than adding to it.
💡
Strategic Detail
UB does not publish dollar amounts, GPA cutoffs, or test score minimums for the Provost Scholarship. Awards are set holistically based on academic merit and cost of attendance. UB offers both a two-year and a four-year version. Test scores are optional for scholarship consideration.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving domestic first-year students who are not New York residents. Out-of-state students are a small group at UB (about 4% of U.S. first-years in fall 2025), so a strong out-of-state applicant stands out. The four-year version goes to the strongest profiles.
Automaticgeographic
Pride of New York Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Early April for fall admits; late November for spring admits ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Automatic merit award for New York residents; can only be used for non-tuition costs like fees.
New York State residents only. Accept by May 1 for fall entry (Dec 1 for spring) or the offer is withdrawn. Renew with 12+ credits each semester, at least 24 credits per year, and a 3.00 overall UB GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with other UB aid up to cost of attendance. Because Pride of New York cannot be applied to tuition, it works as a fees cushion rather than a tuition discount. A later, higher award letter replaces the original offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
UB does not publish dollar amounts, GPA cutoffs, or test score minimums for Pride of New York awards. Two-year and four-year versions exist. The money can only be used for non-tuition costs such as fees, which pairs well with state aid like TAP or the Excelsior Scholarship that is built around tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving first-year domestic students who are New York State residents. The four-year version is reserved for the strongest profiles. Selection is holistic during admission review.
Automaticgeographic
International Student Flagship Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Early April for fall admits; late November for spring admits ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Automatic merit award for international first-year students; amount varies; renewable up to four years.
International first-year students with no completed postsecondary coursework. Renew with 12+ credits each semester, 24+ credits per year, and a 3.00 overall UB GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
UB states the Flagship Scholarship can be combined with other UB scholarships. It must be applied to direct educational expenses, and total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Award amounts vary and UB does not publish a grid. For F-1/J-1 international first-year students only. UB's merit eligibility page lists this award as the International Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted international first-year students with no prior college credit, entering in fall or spring. Review is holistic and looks beyond GPA and test scores.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Which award your student is considered for depends on residency. New York residents are reviewed for Pride of New York, domestic out-of-state students for the Provost Scholarship, and F-1/J-1 students for the International Student Flagship Scholarship.
If UB sends a newer award letter with a higher amount, it replaces the original offer rather than adding to it.
Automatic Merit FAQs (University at Buffalo)
Does UB publish a merit scholarship chart?
No. UB doesn’t list GPA or test score cutoffs for the Provost, Pride of New York, or International Flagship awards. Everything is decided holistically during admission review.
Does my student need SAT or ACT scores to get UB scholarships?
No. UB is test-optional for both admission and scholarships, and every completed application is reviewed for merit. If your student’s scores are strong, sending them can still help tell the story.
What can the Pride of New York Scholarship pay for?
Only non-tuition costs, such as fees. Think of it as a cushion for the bill that state aid like TAP or Excelsior doesn’t cover. There are two-year and four-year versions, with the four-year award going to the strongest profiles.
How is the Provost Scholarship different?
It’s for domestic out-of-state students and must be used for direct costs like tuition and fees. It also comes in two-year and four-year versions. If your student later becomes a New York resident, the amount may be adjusted.
What does it take to keep a UB merit scholarship?
At least 12 credits every semester, at least 24 credits completed each year, and a 3.00 overall UB GPA (Presidential Scholars have a higher bar). GPAs are reviewed at the end of each spring, only UB courses count, and a lost scholarship comes back only through an approved appeal.
What happens if we don’t accept the offer by May 1?
It’s gone for good. Unaccepted merit offers are permanently withdrawn after May 1 for fall entry (Dec 1 for spring).
Can international students get merit aid at UB?
Yes. Admitted international first-years are automatically considered for the International Student Flagship Scholarship, which can be combined with other UB scholarships and renews for up to four years.
UB doesn’t run a big scholarship competition weekend or a separate finalist round outside the Honors College. Its one competitive-style award outside Honors, the
Empire State Diversity Honors/Daniel Acker Scholarship, is invitation only. UB’s real flagship award, the Presidential Scholarship, runs through the Honors College and is covered in the Honors section below.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UB?
Aid Type
Stacks?
UB Parent Translation
Automatic Merit (Provost, Pride of New York, International Flagship)
One offer
Your student gets one admissions merit offer. A newer letter with a higher amount replaces the old one.
Presidential Scholarship
Yes, up to cost of attendance
Combines with other scholarships and grants, but UB may trim other aid so the total stays under the cost of attendance.
Joseph Camerata Scholarship
Replaces
It supersedes any earlier admissions merit offer, so it’s an upgrade, not an add-on.
Donor Scholarships (UB Scholarship Portal)
Added to package
These are the gap fillers, subject to the cost-of-attendance cap. Your student applies once a year.
NY State Aid (TAP, Excelsior)
Yes
State aid focuses on tuition, and Pride of New York covers non-tuition costs, so the two are built to work together.
Federal Grants (Pell)
Yes
File the FAFSA by UB’s Mar 1 priority date. UB adjusts scholarships each year so total aid doesn’t exceed cost of attendance.
If your student is an athlete, UB competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference and offers athletic scholarships in many sports.
The process starts with UB’s online recruiting questionnaire, followed by contacting coaches directly. Athletic aid isn’t listed on the scholarship portal.
Automaticpipeline
Empire State Diversity Honors / Daniel Acker Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Invitation issued by Daniel Acker Scholars Program via email after admission ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Invitation-only scholarship tied to the Daniel Acker Scholars Program; no public application.
Invitation only. Renew with 12+ credits each semester, 24+ credits per year, and a 3.00 overall UB GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Renewable for four years for domestic students who meet continuing eligibility. Combines with other UB aid up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UB does not publish award amounts or selection criteria. Students identified as eligible for the Daniel Acker Scholars Program are invited by email; there is no public application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically competitive first-year domestic students identified as eligible for the Daniel Acker Scholars Program during admission review.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How does my student apply for the Daniel Acker Scholarship?
They can’t apply directly. Students identified as eligible for the Daniel Acker Scholars Program are invited by email after applying to UB, so make sure your student checks their inbox and Applicant Status Page regularly.
Does UB offer a full-ride scholarship?
UB doesn’t publish a full-ride academic scholarship. Its biggest merit award is the Presidential Scholarship: $15,000 a year for New York residents, which more than covers in-state tuition and fees, and up to $22,000 a year for out-of-state and international students.
Will a new scholarship cancel the one my student already has?
Sometimes. A higher admissions merit offer replaces the original, and the Joseph Camerata Scholarship supersedes earlier merit offers. Everything else is subject to UB’s rule that total aid can’t exceed cost of attendance.
Are athletic scholarships available?
Yes. UB fields 16 Division I programs in the Mid-American Conference. Start with the recruiting questionnaire on UB’s athletics site.
What help is there for big national scholarships once my student is enrolled?
UB’s Office of Fellowships and Scholarships works with current students on nationally competitive awards, including ones that require a university nomination.
🧠 Parent Strategy: UB’s “One Application, Every Year” Rule
The admission letter is only round one. Once your student has UB login credentials (UBIT), they can open the
UB Scholarship Portal and unlock more than 1,000 donor-funded scholarships with one General Application.
Complete the General Application (it opens July 15 and closes June 30 each year).
Watch the dashboard for red action prompts and extra questions tied to specific awards.
Look locally too: the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Say Yes Buffalo (for city public and charter school graduates), and the Buffalo Urban League (Erie County seniors).
Repeat it every year, and report any outside scholarship to UB’s Financial Aid Office.
Parent translation: skipping the portal won’t cost your student their merit award, but it does leave a lot of small, very winnable money on the table.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These don’t show up in the admission letter, and most families never hear about them. Some are tied to a hometown, a major, or a background, which is exactly why fewer students compete for them.
App Requiredgeographic
Joseph Camerata Charitable Trust Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Spring before entry (Apr 26 in the 2026 cycle) ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Four-year award for Chautauqua County public high school graduates strong in math and science; replaces any admissions merit offer.
Must be a first-time student who graduated from a public high school in Chautauqua County, NY. Renew with full-time enrollment, a 3.00 cumulative GPA each spring, and 24+ credits per year.
📄
How to Apply
After admission, apply through the UB Scholarship Portal. The application asks for your high school, recent math and science grades on a 0 to 100 scale, and a current transcript.
💡
Strategic Detail
A joint initiative of the SUNY Chancellor and UB for first-time students who graduated from a public high school in Chautauqua County, New York, with strong math and science grades. The award replaces any merit scholarship UB Admissions already offered, so treat it as an upgrade rather than an add-on.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Chautauqua County public high school graduates with strong records in math and science.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlytribal citizenship
Ongwe'onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Apply through the UB Scholarship Portal (no fixed date published) ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 5 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Cuts out-of-state tuition to the in-state rate for eligible Indigenous students.
🎓 All UndergradMust be charged out-of-state tuition, enrolled full-time, and in good standing with at least a 2.00 UB GPA. File the FAFSA if eligible and provide enrollment documentation such as a tribal enrollment card or Canadian Indian Status Card.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Works alongside other aid because it changes the tuition rate itself. At 2026-27 rates, the gap between non-resident and resident tuition is $22,000 a year.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the General Application plus the Ongwe'onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship application on the UB Scholarship Portal, and upload tribal or nation enrollment documentation.
💡
Strategic Detail
Reduces out-of-state tuition to the in-state rate. Named in recognition of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy. Undergraduates can receive it for up to 10 terms toward a first bachelor's degree, or until funds run out.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students who are enrolled citizens of a U.S. federally recognized tribe or nation, children or grandchildren of enrolled NYS Haudenosaunee citizens living outside New York, or holders of Canadian Indian status in a Haudenosaunee nation.
Automaticmajor specific
School of Pharmacy Dean's Leadership Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Awarded at the move into the professional (third) year Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Automatic scholarship for PharmD Early Assurance (2+4=6) students who reach the professional year.
Must be admitted directly into the PharmD Early Assurance Program as a first-year and successfully transition to the third (professional) year.
✚
Stacking & Combining
UB does not describe stacking limits; the standard cost-of-attendance cap applies.
💡
Strategic Detail
UB does not publish the amount or duration. Earned by first-year students admitted directly into the PharmD Early Assurance Program (2+4=6 option) who successfully transition to the professional third year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who enter UB as first-years through the PharmD Early Assurance 2+4=6 option and move into the professional program on schedule.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UB Scholarship Portal (General Application)
📅 Deadline: General Application opens July 15 and closes June 30; individual awards set their own deadlines Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ One annual application for 1,000+ donor-funded UB scholarships.
🎓 All UndergradCurrently enrolled UB students with UBIT credentials. International students can apply for all opportunities except where noted.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awards are added to the student's aid package and are subject to UB's cost-of-attendance cap.
📄
How to Apply
Log in with UBIT credentials, complete the General Application, then check the dashboard for red action prompts and conditional applications. Repeat every year.
💡
Strategic Detail
One General Application each year matches students to more than 1,000 donor-funded scholarships, backed by what UB describes as the largest scholarship endowment in SUNY. Access requires UBIT credentials, so students apply once they are enrolled, then again every year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who actually complete the General Application and answer the follow-up questions. Many awards target specific majors, hometowns, activities, or financial need.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlymilitary
SUNY Military Tuition Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted during the first billing cycle each semester ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Brings UB's per-credit tuition down to the $250 Tuition Assistance rate for service members.
🎓 All UndergradActive-duty, National Guard, or Reserve members enrolled in eligible undergraduate programs.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Applied first, before other financial aid, so remaining aid works on a smaller bill.
💡
Strategic Detail
Started in spring 2026. Lowers UB's undergraduate in-state per-credit tuition to the Federal Tuition Assistance rate, currently $250 per credit hour, and is applied to tuition before all other financial aid.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Active-duty service members, National Guard members, and Reservists enrolled in eligible undergraduate programs.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
Can incoming freshmen use the UB Scholarship Portal?
The portal requires UBIT credentials, which come with enrollment. Once your student has them, they should complete the General Application right away and then again every year.
We live in Chautauqua County. Is there something specific for us?
Yes. The Joseph Camerata Charitable Trust Scholarship is a four-year award for public high school graduates from Chautauqua County with strong math and science grades. It replaces any merit offer UB already made, so apply if it’s bigger.
Is UB’s EOP a scholarship?
Not exactly. UB says plainly that EOP isn’t a financial aid program. It’s an access and support program for New York residents who meet SUNY’s financial guidelines and UB’s academic criteria. Students apply through the Common App or the SUNY application.
Is there help for Native students from outside New York?
Yes. The Ongwe’onwe/Indigenous Student Scholarship lowers out-of-state tuition to the in-state rate, a $22,000 difference at 2026-27 rates, for enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribes and nations and certain Haudenosaunee descendants.
We’re from the City of Buffalo. What should we look at?
Say Yes Buffalo provides UB scholarship funds to Buffalo residents who graduate from a city public or charter school. Apply directly through Say Yes, not through UB.
The University Honors College is a small-college community inside a big research university. Admission isn’t automatic.
Students using the Common App or Coalition apply in the Academics section of the application, and ApplySUNY users complete a separate Honors supplement. Either way, there’s an essay.
Typical Admit: Top 10% of UB’s incoming first-year class
Priority Consideration: December 15 (after that, reviewed only as space allows)
Presidential Scholarship Deadline: January 4 (fall 2027 entry), separate application
Honors College Scholarships
App Requiredhonors
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Jan 4 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$15,000–$22,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ $15,000/yr for NY residents, up to $22,000/yr for non-residents; separate application due Jan 4; renewable four years.
Must stay enrolled in the University Honors College with at least a 3.30 overall UB GPA in the first year and 3.50 in later years, plus 12+ credits each semester and 24+ per year. Accept the award through the Honors College portal by May 1.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with other scholarships and grants, but the total package cannot exceed UB's cost of attendance, so other aid may be adjusted to fit under that cap. Recipients join the Honors College Presidential Scholars Program and take HON 101 in their first semester.
📄
How to Apply
Step 1: submit the UB application (Common App, Coalition, or ApplySUNY). Step 2: watch for the Applicant Status Page login, usually within a week. Step 3: complete the Presidential Scholarship application at ubconnect.buffalo.edu/register/presidentialscholarship by Jan 4.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
UB's most selective merit award. There are no minimum criteria for consideration; the 2024 Presidential class ranged from 95 to 100 unweighted on UB's 100-point scale, with most around 97. Test scores are not required. The application opens in early September.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically exceptional first-year students. New York residents receive $15,000 per year, which is more than in-state tuition and fees. Out-of-state and international students may receive up to $22,000 per year.
App Requiredhonorsmajor
Millonzi Distinguished Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Feb 15 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$14,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ One $14,000/yr Honors award for Art History, Fine Art, Studio Art, Music, or Musical Theatre majors.
👥 ~1 per year winners/yrMust be admitted to one of the five named majors and to the University Honors College. Renewable for three more years while meeting the standards of the major and UB merit renewal rules (3.00 overall UB GPA, full-time enrollment).
✚
Stacking & Combining
Listed on UB's eight-semester merit roster and combines with other UB aid up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UB and to the Honors College, then submit the Millonzi application through the UB Scholarship Portal. Music and Musical Theatre majors also complete the required department audition.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One award per year, valued at $14,000 per year. UB lists a 93% unweighted high school GPA as the competitive threshold. The application asks about three formative artistic experiences, a short essay of up to 300 words, and an optional link to a work sample.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: One entering first-year Honors student per year majoring in Art History (BA), Fine Art (BA), Studio Art (BA), Music (BA or MusB), or Musical Theatre (BFA).
App Requiredhonorsmajorgeographic
Steven B. Sample Distinguished Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Separate application for fall 2027 entry; contact the Honors College for timing ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Distinguished Honors scholarship reserved for New York State residents admitted to both the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Honors College.
New York State residents admitted to both SEAS and the Honors College. Renew with continued enrollment in both and UB merit renewal rules.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Renewable for up to four years with continued enrollment in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Honors College. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UB as an engineering major and to the Honors College, then complete the separate Sample application. Contact the Honors College for access.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
UB does not publish the award amount. The application is available for students applying for fall 2027 admission; contact the Honors College for the portal and timing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Newly admitted first-year New York residents accepted into both the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the University Honors College. Established in 2004 to honor former UB president Steven B. Sample.
Data last verified Oct 1, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Award amounts and admit profiles reflect UB’s most recently published information. Availability and amounts can change from year to year.
Deadline Note: The Presidential Scholarship application opens in early September and is due January 4.
Your student needs the Applicant Status Page login first, which arrives about a week after the UB application is submitted. Applying to UB by Nov 1 leaves plenty of room.
Early Assurance and Dual Admission (Worth a Look)
UB and the Honors College offer early assurance and dual admission programs, including pathways into medicine, dental medicine, and pharmacy, that can lock in a spot in a professional program from freshman year.
See the current program list.
Honors College FAQs (University at Buffalo)
Is Honors College admission automatic?
No. Students apply through their college application or the Honors supplement, including an essay. Successful applicants typically come from the top 10% of UB’s incoming class.
Does the Presidential Scholarship require the Honors College?
Yes. Presidential Scholars join the Honors College Presidential Scholars Program and take a one-credit seminar (HON 101) in their first semester.
What GPA does it take to keep the Presidential Scholarship?
A 3.30 overall UB GPA in the first year, then 3.50 every year after, while staying enrolled in the Honors College. That’s a tougher bar than the 3.00 required for UB’s other merit awards.
Do Presidential applicants need test scores?
No. There are no minimum criteria, and scores aren’t required. For context, the 2024 Presidential class had unweighted GPAs from 95 to 100 on UB’s 100-point scale, with most around 97.
Can out-of-state students win the Presidential Scholarship?
Yes, and they’re encouraged to apply. For out-of-state and international students, the award can be worth up to $22,000 a year for four years.
What if my student misses the Dec 15 Honors date?
Later applications are reviewed only as space allows. Students can also apply after their first year with at least 30 credits and a 3.5 GPA, though they’d miss the first-year scholarship opportunities.
UB is New York’s flagship public university and one of 71 members of the Association of American Universities, a group of top research universities. It was the first SUNY campus invited to join, back in 1989.
For families, that means a big research university with a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, at SUNY prices.
Nationally Known Program: School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. It’s ranked No. 16 in the country and No. 1 in New York by U.S. News (2026). What makes it parent-friendly is the
Early Assurance option: students can enter as freshmen on the 2+4=6 PharmD track, and those who make it into the professional years earn a Dean’s Leadership Scholarship.
Engineering and Computer Science: Engineering makes up about 13% of UB’s bachelor’s degrees and computer science another 7%. New York students headed for engineering and the Honors College also have their own scholarship, the Steven B. Sample award.
Business (School of Management): Business and marketing is UB’s largest area of study, about 16% of bachelor’s degrees, and UB’s MBA is the highest-ranked in the SUNY system.
Pre-Health: With the Jacobs School of Medicine on campus, early assurance pathways into medicine and dental medicine, and a School of Public Health ranked No. 19 among public universities, UB is a natural fit for future health professionals.
Psychology: About 10% of UB graduates major in psychology, one of the school’s most popular paths into graduate study and health careers.
🔗 Official University at Buffalo Links
Use UB’s official pages below to confirm deadlines, scholarship rules, and costs. Always rely on these pages for final dates and award terms.
Big picture? UB is one of the best values in the Northeast, especially for New York families. You get an AAU research university at SUNY prices. If your family qualifies for TAP or Excelsior, tuition can largely disappear, and Pride of New York helps with the fees that state aid leaves behind.
Out-of-state families have a harder road. UB isn’t part of SUNY Tuition Match, so the Provost Scholarship and a strong shot at the Presidential Scholarship carry most of the weight.
Either way, the playbook is the same. Apply by Nov 1, get the Presidential application in by Jan 4 if your student is a top candidate, accept the merit offer before May 1, and have your student fill out the Scholarship Portal application every single year. UB doesn’t publish a merit chart, so the families who do best are the ones who never miss a date.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.
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Founder of CollegeReadyParent. Leo built this site after navigating college costs with his own daughter, and every college guide is checked against the school’s own published sources. More about Leo →
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