Charles V. Costello Memorial Scholarship

Each year, the Association endeavors to award one or more scholarships to legally blind or visually impaired post-high school students. The intent is to offer one or more scholarships of at least $500, although this may change at the discretion of the Association and the Scholarship committee.

We are pleased to announce our Scholarship winners for 2011!

Jaclyn Horvath
  Jaclyn is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Human Development from   Binghamton University. Her goal is a career in Student Affairs   Administration.

Anthony Gerchman
  Anthony is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from   State University of New York at Oswego.

David Briggs
  David is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Alfred   State. His career goal is to open a chain of fitness centers across the   country.

Applicants must be legally blind or visually impaired and be attending or accepted to an accredited training school or institution of higher learning. Students pursuing degrees in the science, technology or business fields are especially encouraged to apply. All degree levels will be considered. Applicants must also be residents of or attending a school in any of the New York and Pennsylvania counties served by the Association.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to contact the Association for more details and a brochure that specifies eligibility, deadlines and application procedures. Awards are intended to be made in the summer for the following fall semester.

The scholarship program was established in 2002 to honor the memory of Charles V. Costello. Mr. Costello was a long time and highly respected contributor to our community, a dedicated member of the Board of Directors of the Association, a supporter of the pursuit of higher education, a person who understood vision disability and a warm, wonderful person.

Previous Scholarship Winners

2010: Jaclyn Horvath, Matthew Gibbons, Nina Bektic-Marrero
2009: Jiyan Omar, Nina Bektic-Marrero, Stephen Comency
2008: Ronda Girardi, Matthew Gibbons
2007: Stephen Comency, German Fermin, Ronda Girardi
2006: Krystal Baker, Adam Drake
2005: Michael Byce, Kirstin Lauther, Pete Zarubin and Terry Kozak
2004: Aaron Baier and Terry Kozak
2003: Brianna Cook, Amy Orshal and Adam Drake
2002: Suzanne Leathers and Terry Gonyou

Contributions to the Scholarship Fund are greatly appreciated and acknowledged.

Follow the link to access our brochure - PDF; HTML

For more information about the Costello Scholarship, contact Rick McCarthy, Director - Program Services at (607)724-2428.

Additional Scholarships Available

The National Federation of the Blind of New York State, Inc. also has a Scholarship program. For information regarding requirements, award amounts and the application process, contact Raymond Wayne at
(718)491-0053.

The National Association of Blind Students, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, also has information on scholarships for blind and visually impaired students. Visit their website at www.nfbstudents.org.