CFSA: Cultivating Exceptional Potential

In the News

National Science Foundation logo. The letters NSF in white in front of a blue globe. The globe is encircled with a gold pointy ring, like sun beams.

3 Earn National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

By Melissa Welshans | May 5, 2026

Three Syracuse University students have been awarded prestigious graduate research fellowships through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), and one student has been recognized with an honorable mention. The fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM, social sciences and STEM education in…

Blue rectangle with the headshots of Mallory Brown, Kenna Cummings, and Khuong Pham. Text above their headshots reads 2026 Goldwater Scholars. Their names appear below their pictures.

Three Syracuse University Undergraduates Receive Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

By Melissa Welshans | Apr 6, 2026

  Three Syracuse University students-one researching proteins, one mapping geothermal heat beneath Greenland’s ice sheet and one engineering bacteria-fighting surfaces for medical implants-are recipients of the 2026 Goldwater Scholarship.   They are the following: Mallory Brown ’27, a neuroscience and statistics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Renée Crown University…

Kate Hanson, Farzana Rahman, and Odette Rodriguez stand smiling in front of a blue backdrop. Two hold onto the corners of a framed certificate and one holds a container of flowers.

CFSA / SOURCE Recognize Faculty Mentors and Celebrate Students at Orange Talks & Awards Ceremony

By Melissa Welshans | Apr 1, 2026

On Thursday, March 26th, CFSA and SOURCE gathered faculty, students and staff in the Biology Department’s Lundgren Room for the SOURCE/CFSA Orange Talks & Awards Ceremony. The program, held from 4-6pm, included Ted-style “Orange” talks from 4 student researchers, and the presentation of awards to faculty on behalf of both SOURCE and CFSA. The student…

Mikah stands smiling in a business suit in front of the EU and U.S. flags near a stairwell decorated for the winter holidays.

Mikah Bein ’26 Shares Study Abroad Experience, Funded by the Gilman International Scholarship

By Melissa Welshans | Feb 4, 2026

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students to pursue study international study and internship programs. These opportunities equip Gilman Scholars with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing the U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.…

Important Location and Staffing Updates

By Melissa Welshans | Jan 12, 2026

Office Update: Our office has moved to the 6th floor of 100 Sims Drive, which is located on the corner of Sims Drive and College Place. We are thrilled to be sharing space with our colleagues in the new Center for Student Excellence. Enter in through the doors on Sims Drive and take the elevator…

What We Do

CFSA helps Syracuse University undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni apply for national scholarships and fellowships. These external awards provide funding and recognition across a range of disciplines and interests. 

Interest Meetings

One-on-One Advising

Writing Workshops

Interview Preparation

Institutional Endorsement

Syracuse University requires all students and alumni who are seeking institutional endorsement for the Marshall Scholarship and Rhodes Scholarship to express their interest in applying by June 1 and to complete an “Intent to Apply” form by July 1, detailing their record on leadership, service, academic accomplishments, and their rationale for the application. To express interest, email cfsa@syr.edu or one of CFSA's advisors directly. You can find the link to the "Intent to Apply" form below. A campus committee will meet in July to review these forms and select the students who will be endorsed by the University.

Applicants seeking CFSA’s support and assistance with applications to the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship, the Schwarzman Scholars Program, the Luce Scholars Program, or the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program ,should also complete the form.

Prestigious Fellowships Intent to Apply Form

Let us know if you intend to apply for a prestigious award (those listed under "Institutional Endorsement" above) by completing this form by July 1st. 

Upcoming Events

Check back for upcoming events!

Upcoming Awards and Deadlines

Most scholarships and fellowships that CFSA helps applicants pursue have deadlines that fall between September and February. Please consult our Scholarship directory to learn more about opportunities you may want to pursue during the 2026-2027 academic year. 

National Recognitions

Badge that reads Fulbright Top Producer U.S. Student Program 2024-2025
Badge that reads Fulbright Top Producer U.S. Student Program 2023-2024
Fulbright logo (blue ombre circle with white lines that intersect to look like an F) with the text above and below reading "Fulbright U.S. student program top producer 2022-2023"
blue circle with wavy exterior that reads AY 2021 - 2022 Gilman Top Producer
Fulbright Program logo of blue ombre circle surrounded by the text "Fulbright Program Top Producer Student Program"