April 1 is deadline for applying for SUNY Orange financial aid

MIDDLETOWN -Application deadlines are approaching for those students interested in applying for SUNY Orange’s scholarship opportunities for the 2008-2009 academic year. Returning students must submit applications for available scholarships to the college’s financial aid office no later than April 1 while incoming students — those who will be beginning their freshman year during the Fall semester — must complete their applications by May 1. In addition, May 1 is the application deadline for the President’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Students who apply for any SUNY Orange scholarship must also complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and a tuition assistance program (TAP) application before they can be fully considered for a scholarship. Both applications can be completed online. Each year, SUNY Orange awards more than $150,000 in scholarships to incoming, returning and graduating students. Scholarships targeted to specific academic degrees are available while general scholarships are awarded based upon a variety of criteria, which could include demonstrated financial need, academic achievement or faculty recommendations. For more information, call 341-4190. A listing of scholarships, along with application criteria, is available under the financial aid section of the SUNY Orange web site at www.sunyorange.edu.