Oneonta Dollars for Scholars® is a member of Scholarship America®, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It works exclusively towards raising money to help Oneonta students fund their post-high school education. The program is based on the idea that people in the community can make a difference by helping one another. Oneonta Dollars for Scholars has established itself as a friend to diligent students in need of funding for their collegiate endeavors.

Mission Statement

Oneonta Dollars for Scholars awards scholarships to
 deserving students through the generosity of caring donors.

 

Vision

Oneonta Dollars for Scholars will reach all students within the Oneonta City School District to encourage and support their educational aspirations.

Getting to know Oneonta Dollars for Scholars...

  • We are comprised of community members, including high school students and parent/student volunteers. Generally, meetings are held on the second Tuesday of September, October, November, January, February, April and May in the Oneonta High School library.

 

  • Presently, we sponsor two major fundraising events: the Wreath & Swag sale in the fall and a mail-a-thon in the summer.
    • Oneonta high school students have represented Oneonta Dollars for Scholars by carrying our banner and marching in the Oneonta First Night Parade. 

 

  • Oneonta Dollars for Scholars has established multiple giving options: a general donation; an annual scholarship; an endowed scholarship; a renewable scholarship; a sponsored scholarship. Endowed scholarships are given in perpetuity, sponsored scholarships are given for a designated period of time and renewable scholarships are awarded for multiple years. An annual scholarship is a one-time award. Giving options are listed on our Donate tab.

 

  • The awards are open to Oneonta City School District residents who are graduating from Oneonta High School or an Oneonta City School District-based equivalent program in the current school year and who will attend a qualified post-secondary college, university, vocational school, or trade school.  

 

Some of our proudest achievements since our inception in 1991 to the present:

  • 2024: Oneonta Dollars for Scholars awarded over $100,000 in scholarship money to 70+ award winners.  Ten students were awarded renewable scholarships.
    • Since Oneonta Dollars for Scholars first awards program in June, 1992 over $1,000,000 has been awarded to 1,300+ students.
       
  • 2014:  Carol Baker, founding board member and past president, received the 2014 Regional Volunteer of the year award in recognition of exceptional dedication to students and tireless advocacy of Dollars for Scholars.  Carol also received the 2014 Ralph H. "Cy" Seifert National Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of exemplary involvement with Oneonta Dollars for Scholars and strengthening of Dollars for Scholars in the community.
     
  • 2008 & 2003:  Recipient of the New York State Dollars for Scholars Golden Tassel Award from Executive Director, P-L Schroeppel, at the NYS Dollars for Scholars Convention in Utica. A Five Hundred Dollar Scholarship was received each year in recognition of Oneonta Dollars for Scholars' outstanding service to our community in the areas of achievement, community impact, innovation, and organizational strength.
  • 1992:  ​Recipient of the Friend of Education Award for Promoting Life-Long Learning from the Oneonta Teachers Association.

 

 

 

P.O. Box 1083
Oneonta, New York 13820