New York Garnet Guarantee
Stay in New York. Go further than you imagined.
Union College is investing in New York students with a guaranteed $120,000 scholarship ($30,000 each year for four years).
New York Garnet Guarantee Overview
New York is our home, and we want more of New York’s talented students to call Union home, too. By making a Union education more accessible to students from across the state, the New York Garnet Guarantee is an investment not only in those students, but in New York’s future.
All students who live or attend school in New York State are eligible for the New York Garnet Guarantee. To qualify, students may apply in any of Union’s three rounds (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision), but must submit their application for admission by our December 1 priority scholarship deadline.
per year
over four years
No separate scholarship application.
No application fee.
No supplemental essay.
Who qualifies for the New York Garnet Guarantee?
Any new student enrolling at Union for the first time who:
- has a permanent address in New York State; or
- is graduating from a public or private high school in New York State; or
- is currently attending a public or private college in New York State
First-year applicants
Transfer applicants
Union isn’t just in New York.
We’re for New York.
Union has been educating New Yorkers for more than 230 years. The New York Garnet Guarantee builds on that commitment by giving the next generation of students another compelling reason to stay, learn, and thrive right here in the Empire State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the New York Garnet Guarantee?
The New York Garnet Guarantee is $30,000 per year and is automatically renewed for up to four years of undergraduate study at Union, for a total potential value of $120,000.
How do I apply?
We make this part easy. Simply submit your application for admission to Union by December 1 (first-year students) or by March 1 (transfer students). There is no separate scholarship application, no additional essay, and no application fee.
What if I'm considering Early Decision II but haven't decided by December 1?
That's fine. Submit your application by December 1 as a Regular Decision applicant to preserve your eligibility for the New York Garnet Guarantee. If you later decide that Union is your first choice, you may switch your application to Early Decision II by Union's published deadline.
Are transfer students eligible?
Yes. New transfer students are eligible for the New York Garnet Guarantee. Simply submit your transfer application by March 1. No separate scholarship application is required.
Do I still need to apply for financial aid?
If you would otherwise apply for need-based financial aid, yes, but applying for financial aid is not required to be eligible for the New York Garnet Guarantee.
Union meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students who submit all required financial aid materials on time.
What if my family needs more than $30,000 per year to make Union affordable?
Apply for need-based financial aid. If your demonstrated financial need exceeds the amount provided by the New York Garnet Guarantee, Union will provide additional financial assistance to meet your full demonstrated need, provided you meet all applicable financial aid deadlines and requirements.
What if I qualify for another Union scholarship?
Students who qualify for more than one Union-funded scholarship will receive the scholarship with the highest value.
What if I receive a scholarship from another organization?
You can still qualify for the New York Garnet Guarantee.
Outside scholarships and other resources must be reported to Union’s Financial Aid Office. Financial aid from all sources cannot exceed Union's cost of attendance, so a sufficiently large outside scholarship may require an adjustment to other financial aid.
Do I have to stay a New York resident while I'm at Union?
No. Your eligibility is determined when you enter Union based on the New York Garnet Guarantee eligibility requirements at the time you enroll. Once awarded, the scholarship is automatically renewed according to Union's standard scholarship renewal requirements.
Questions?
We’re here to help.
518-388-6112 | admissions@union.edu
Students participating in other programs that provide substantial tuition benefits (e.g., tuition remission, Tuition Exchange, ROTC, Posse, and other full tuition scholarships) are not eligible for the New York Garnet Guarantee. Students who qualify for multiple Union-funded scholarships will receive the scholarship with the highest value. Union is always committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students who submit all required financial aid materials by the published deadlines.
If your demonstrated financial need has not been met after receiving the New York Garnet Guarantee, additional financial aid will be awarded to meet your full demonstrated need.