Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Alfred T. Caffiero Scholarship
For many years, Al Caffiero has been one of the most prominent physical therapists in Western New York. Throughout his distinguished career, he has displayed a caring attitude, altruism, creativity, clinical insight, dedication to the profession and an inspiring degree of optimism. Consistent with his vision for the profession and his caring attitude toward students, he and his friends have established this scholarship that is awarded to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students during their last year of study at UB.

J. Warren Perry Scholarship
Honoring the first dean of the School of Health Related Professions, the J. Warren Perry Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or the Department of Rehabilitation Science. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and professional potential.

Kathleen M. Shaffer Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship for fifth-year occupational therapy students is awarded in memory of Kathy Shaffer, a 1987 graduate of the UB occupational therapy department baccalaureate program and senior therapist at Erie County Medical Center. Shaffer’s contributions to UB included course instruction and fieldwork supervision of students. She is best remembered for her excellent clinical skills and mentoring relationships with students. Students are nominated for the award by occupational therapy faculty. A committee of faculty members, colleagues and family members select the recipient.

Stonegraber Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Eleanor C. and David P. Stonegraber, the Stonegraber Scholarship Fund supports upper division occupational and physical therapy students at UB. Mrs. Stonegraber was an occupational therapist in the Buffalo and Rochester areas and director of occupational therapy at the Rochester Psychiatric Center at the time of her retirement in 1959. Awards typically range from $500 to $2000.

The Dr. Michael F. Noe Diversity Scholarship provides scholarships to students from historically underrepresented populations, including Native Americans, who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. It is intended to promote educational diversity, equity, and inclusion consistent with the values of the School of Public Health and Health Professions. 

The vision for the Dr. Michael F. Noe Diversity Scholarship not only is to financially support students who are pursuing a degree in the SPHHP, but also to attract and retain the best candidates, foster student growth outside of the classroom, and ultimately benefit diverse populations that the school serves. A service requirement is highly recommended and will be determined by the Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The goal of this fund is to reduce barriers to attending SPHHP professional programs among students from diverse backgrounds and support pathway programs.

SPHHP's learning community is enriched by differences in perspectives and background. A diverse student body, faculty and staff is instrumental in promoting cultural competence in public health and clinical practice. The school therefore is taking action to increase diversity among students, faculty and staff, with first in family to attend college, sex, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, socio-economic status, veteran status, students who have experienced social exclusion, and to support the specific needs of international, first-generation, transfer and returning students.

The fund will provides tuition support to professional and other graduate students from diverse backgrounds. 

History of the Fund

In Spring 2018, Greer Hamilton, MSW ’16, and Danise C. Wilson, MPH ’14, launched the Hamilton Wilson Student Support Fund to promote diversity and representation within their professions and health and human service workforce. As graduates of the University at Buffalo MSW and MPH programs, they recognized the need to support students to ensure their success during school and within their career.

Fund Overview

The Hamilton Wilson Fund provides $1,000 in support for a student who is a member of a traditionally underrepresented population enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at the University at Buffalo. The award is meant to be used towards school-related expenses such as books, field placement, transportation and other needs awardees may have. Students may apply in any year of their program as long as they are enrolled in MPH courses in the semester during which they apply. A call for applications is typically circulated in September.

The ASCEND Scholarship fund provides $9,500 in tuition for the final academic year and is available to graduate, doctoral, and professional students pursuing a degree in the following areas of study:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy

This award recognizes the PhD student with the highest GPA. Nomination is completed through a verbal recommendation to the Assistant to the Dean.

The Robert G. Porter Scholars Program is funded through The American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Programs are available for both UUP bargaining unit members and their dependents.

Sponsored by New York State, this fellowship offers support for historically underrepresented students in PhD programs across the university. Schomburg Fellows participate in conferences and seminars and present papers in their respective disciplines. Learn more about the Schomburg Fellowship eligibility and nomination requirements.

This award supports students from all decanal units and departments at UB by organizing and supporting international fieldwork opportunities in collaboration with partner organizations around the world.

This award recognizes a full-time graduate student involved in teaching who demonstrates superb and creative performance in the classroom, evidence of mentorship and sets high academic standards.

The Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP; formerly GEOP) provides tuition scholarships to graduates of certified Educational Opportunity Program (EOP); Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP); and CUNY Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) programs within New York State who wish to pursue further education at the graduate level on a full-time basis (12 credits each semester). All disciplines are eligible. The GEOP receives a limited amount of funding each year. Therefore, tuition scholarships are not guaranteed to all students who apply.

Visit the UB Graduate School for more information.

Twenty new PhD students a year will be awarded an additional $10,000 for five years under a new fellowship program created to recruit top PhD students to UB.

UB’s Graduate Student Association (GSA) provides grants to graduate students for research expenses related to their thesis or dissertation. PhD students may apply for up to $2,500, and master's students for up to $1,500. Applicants should be in the latter stages of research. Learn more and apply for the Mark Diamond Research Fund Grant. UB’s GSA also provides funding to assist graduate students in presenting and attending conferences.

This award supports undergraduate students enrolled in a health related major who have been accepted into a study abroad program related to Global Health. Preference is given to students participating in course PUB 211LD Behavior Driven Disease: A Global Epidemic in Jamaica.

High-achieving freshmen are considered for Provost Scholarships. Award amounts are based on academic merit and cost of attendance. No additional application is needed. These scholarships are renewable for either two or four years for students who maintain continuing eligibility requirements.

This fellowship is aimed at recruiting outstanding graduate students. Students are considered for this award at the time of admission; there is no additional application required. To be eligible, a nominee must be a new applicant to a PhD program with at least one of the following:

1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher; or
2. A combined score of 1,270 or higher on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the “old” GRE General Test (the version offered prior to Aug. 1, 2011), and a score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing component of that test; or
3. A combined score of 313 or higher on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the revised/new version of the GRE General Test (that was introduced worldwide on Aug. 1, 2011), and a score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing component of that test; or
4. A score on the relevant GRE Subject Test in the 75th percentile or higher.

Consistent with ETS/GRE policies on score reporting, GRE scores used to satisfy eligibility criterions above must have been obtained within the most recent 5 year period.

The UUP Steve Street Award is given to an undergraduate student or group of undergraduate students currently enrolled at a SUNY campus who have created any paper or documented any project related to social justice issues or topics.

Over 50 Scholarships are available to OT students from the AOTF. Applicants complete only one online form to apply for all qualifying scholarships. Applications are due each September. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited OT program, and must have completed at least one year of OT-specific course work. 

One $3,000 scholarship is presented annually. Students must be enrolled in a PT or OT degree program.  Applicants must be a New York State resident. Applications are due each January. 

Recognizes outstanding students in the allied health professions who are achieving excellence in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the allied health professions. The selected student will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Candidates must have successfully completed at least one semester. Candidates must be nominated by the school. If you're interested in being nominated, please email your program director. Nomination deadline is each June. 

The HIE Help Center awards one scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student who plans to pursue a career in physical, occupational, or speech therapy. Applications are reviewed once a year, with the deadline of July 31st.

Fall and Spring scholarships awarded. Must have a 3.0 gpa or higher.

Short Essay (400-600 words): Describe something unique about you or your experience that inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare. How will you use this scholarship and this quality/experience to help “shape the future” of your chosen field?

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Scholarship Program
Over 50 Scholarships are available to OT students from the AOTF. Applicants complete only one online form to apply for all qualifying scholarships. Applications are due each September. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited OT program, and must have completed at least one year of OT-specific course work. 

BrightLife Direct OT/PT Scholarship
BrightLife Direct awards a scholarship of $1,000 to a student currently enrolled full-time in an occupational therapy, physical therapy (PT) or a physical therapy assistant (PTA) program.  Applicants must be a US citizen and have completed at least one year of their program before the application deadline, which is each July. 

Sharps' Scholarship Essay Contest is open to all students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an accredited university in health care related studies. The top three essays are chosen by a panel of judges. First prize: $1,500; second prize: $1,000; third prize: $750. Entry deadline is each May. 

The Niagara Frontier District provides scholarship assistance to students at UB while other district associations of the NYSOTA also offer scholarships to students whose permanent residence is located within one of these other districts. Membership in NYSOTA (NFD/NYSOTA) is necessary to be considered for this scholarship.