Red Hook Scholars Program

SUNY Geneseo is honored to work alongside the staff at Red Hook Initiative (RHI) to provide students from Red Hook, Brooklyn, or attending a high school in the Red Hook District with a fully funded education at SUNY Geneseo, New York's Public Honors College.

A big thanks to the Greg ‘64 and Elizabeth O’Connell Family Endowment, which generously provides Red Hook scholars with full financial assistance and a myriad of tools to help cultivate a successful experience at SUNY Geneseo. The Red Hook Scholars program aims to foster a welcoming environment where students will strengthen their collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking skills to assist them both during and beyond their undergraduate careers.

Program Benefits

Students selected for the Red Hook Scholars program will receive unique opportunities in addition to the exceptional resources offered to all Geneseo students. Benefits of this program include, but are not limited to:

SUNY or Common application waiver
Scholarship to cover the full cost of attendance at SUNY Geneseo
Free laptop
Designated counselor for personalized mentoring
Workshops and seminars to help with school-life balance, navigating college life, organization, finding internships, etc.
Special social events with other Red Hook Scholars
Honors college education
Small cohort of 10 students

Application Requirements

Submit at least one letter of recommendation
Schedule a one-on-one interview
Apply for financial aid

Apply Today

Step 1:

Apply for free using the Common Application or SUNY Application. Be sure to include written letters of recommendation from school counselors, teachers, or Red Hook Initiative staff with your application.

Step 2:

Submit a copy of your official high school transcript either electronically or as a hard copy

Note: Geneseo is test optional, meaning we do not require students to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) for admission. Students are welcome to submit test scores if they feel they are a solid reflection of their success in higher learning. Test scores will never be used as a single factor for admittance into Geneseo.