SUNY Adirondack surprises high school students with scholarships

QUEENSBURY, New York (March 28, 2024) — The high school students thought Tuesday morning would include a tour of SUNY Adirondack’s campus and maybe a free T-shirt. Instead, the Fort Edward seniors were each awarded a scholarship.

Five students visited campus and learned that because of the long-standing William and Elsie Hill Scholarship, administered by SUNY Adirondack Foundation, every senior from Fort Edward High School who attends SUNY Adirondack on a full-time basis in Fall 2024-Spring 2025 will receive $3,000, or about half a year’s tuition. Part-time students will receive a prorated amount.  

“This makes the decision much easier,” said Dan Boucher, one of the seniors who received the good news Tuesday morning. 

Classmate Ashton Legodais, an Early College Career Academy student in IT Computer Networking, agreed. “This makes the struggle a lot easier,” Legodais said. “I can focus more on academics and not worry as much.”

“Supporting access to education is at the heart of what SUNY Adirondack Foundation does,” said Rachael Hunsinger Patten, executive director of the Foundation. “We are proud to offer these Fort Edward students scholarships to help them start their educational journeys.”

Fort Edward school counselor Joanna Scotch, SUNY Adirondack Class of 1986, was excited to be part of the surprise.

“I think this will help the students tremendously,” she said. “This will help offset out-of-pocket expenses and reduce student loan burden.”

SUNY Adirondack Foundation supports students through scholarships and emergency funding. In 2023, the Foundation awarded more than $400,000 to students. More than 60 percent of SUNY Adirondack students graduate without student loan debt.

The William and Elsie Hill Scholarship is from the trust of Elsie N Hill, administered by KeyBank.