Fulton Savings Bank Scholarship Enters 17th Year

Since 1998, Fulton Savings Bank has been helping the brightest local students make their college dreams a reality.

The bank awards seniors with the highest GPAs from all high schools in Oswego County and the Baldwinsville Central School District with $500 a year for four years to attend SUNY Oswego.

Kaylee May ’15, who earned the scholarship at J.C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix, N.Y., said the money helped make the cost of living on campus less intimidating.

“My college career has been much more fulfilling than it might have otherwise been without this scholarship,” May said. “I have been able to live on campus for the past four years, making connections and taking advantage of the endless opportunities SUNY Oswego offers.”

Nancy Ellis, vice president for Fulton Savings Bank, said $247,250 has been paid out to SUNY Oswego students since the program started in 1998. The bank also provides two-year awards to the top students from the 10 high schools who attend Cayuga Community College. If those students continue to Oswego, so does their award.

“Those are the districts that our banks serve,” Ellis said. “That’s where most of our customers come from, so we did this to benefit our customers going to our area colleges.”

The program is one of several ways Fulton Savings Bank gives back to its local communities. Scholarship recipients have even worked at the bank during the summer break, Ellis said.

“We’re really pleased with the scholarship program,” Ellis said.

Ellis said the bank awards about $2,000 a week to local nonprofits, not including the scholarships. The bank also gives to such organizations as Catholic Charities, Kiwanis, Camp Hollis and more.

“If given the opportunity I would express my sincerest appreciation for allowing me, through this scholarship, to make the most of my academic career and have the opportunity to make my mark within the SUNY Oswego community,” May said.

—Edwin Acevedo M’09

Fulton Savings Bank has awarded $247,250 in scholarships to SUNY Oswego students who attended high school from these school districts.