Eligibility

The Daniel Acker Scholars Program (Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program) is designed to direct aid to undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and/or activities.

Effective for Fall 2025, to participate in the Daniel Acker Scholars Program, candidates are required to:

• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.
• Be New York residents, and
  
• Demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.
• Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and/or campus activities.

Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

• From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.

The Daniel Acker Scholars Program (Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship Program) is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and are consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

The university’s Office of Admissions invites eligible students to express their interest in participating in the Daniel Acker Scholars Program. If selected, students earn a merit scholarship that is renewable for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study at UB.

Please visit the Office of Admissions website to learn more.