Students of color interested in private school are encouraged to apply at www.edcowny.org
The John R. Oishei Foundation is pleased to announce that applications will now be accepted for the Oishei High School Scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year. The scholarship supports students of color interested in attending one of the area’s 13 private high schools in the Buffalo-Niagara region with full tuition coverage for the full four years. The highly competitive, sought-after Oishei High School Scholarships are awarded to talented, dedicated students of color with a financial need.
The scholarships are administered through the Education Collaborative of WNY (EdCo), a consortium of Western New York private high schools. One scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming freshman at each of the participating EdCo schools. More information and the application can be found on the EdCo website at www.edcowny.org.
The scholarships offer an exceptional educational opportunity for students and are intended to make a positive difference in the lives of the students and their families, as well as to encourage more diversity within the schools. A more diverse student body is expected to bring new perspectives and life experiences to be shared among students, staff, and administration. With support from the Oishei Foundation, and led by EdCo, the participating schools have embarked on a unique, collaborative approach to educate and address diversity and equity issues within the schools with the goal of creating schools of belonging for all.
Oishei’s high school tuition support has benefited more than 300 students to date and now adds up to more than $13 million since the program’s inception in 1998. Scholarship amounts vary by school and should be confirmed with the admissions director of each student’s first-choice high school. A $500 stipend is also included to cover the costs of books and other incidental fees at member schools.
Any student interested in being considered for an Oishei Scholarship must first complete the application process required by their school of choice. They are then required to complete the Oishei scholarship application available at www.edcowny.org and due in early December. Each school will forward its scholarship nominations to an independent scholarship selection committee which will announce its decisions in late January 2022, close to the time students will learn about school acceptance.
Member schools include Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Cardinal O’Hara High School, Mt. Mercy Academy, Mount St. Mary Academy, Nardin Academy, Nichols School, St. Francis High School, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, and St. Mary’s High School, and Park School of Buffalo.
The John R. Oishei Foundation is the area’s most comprehensive private foundation focusing on a broad range of interrelated issues and offering philanthropic support that goes far beyond funding. Our mission is to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region through grantmaking, leadership, and network building. The Foundation was established in 1940 by John R. Oishei, founder of Trico Products Corporation.