Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Scholarship 

Scholarship Information

The University at Buffalo offers a $5,000 scholarship, valued at $20,000 over four years of undergraduate study, to qualified graduates of Buffalo Public or Charter Schools.

Who is Eligible?

The Buffalo Public or Charter School students and graduates below are encouraged to apply.

1.     Graduates of Buffalo Public or Charter Schools who are newly admitted to UB as first-year undergraduate students for Fall 2026.

These high schools students, newly admitted to UB as first-time, full-time, first-year students in any major, may apply as long as they demonstrate academic promise, and a commitment to human rights and social justice. Scholarship awardees generally have high school grade point averages of B or better and combined SAT scores of 1200 or higher, but all applicants will be given thorough consideration. Applicants for this scholarship agree to allow a selection committee to review their University at Buffalo application materials and relevant financial aid information. In cases where academic records, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and application essays are of equal quality, preference will be given to candidates with financial need. Finalists will be interviewed by a selection committee.

2.     UB undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior years at UB

Graduates of Buffalo Public or Charter Schools who are full-time, undergraduate students in their sophomore (30-59 credit hours) or junior (60-89 credit hours) years may apply for this scholarship.  Applicants must have strong academic credentials (including at least a 3.0 CUM GPA at UB), and a commitment to human rights and social justice.  The scholarship is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study or until graduation requirements are met provided the recipient maintains a minimum overall UB GPA of 3.00.  Finalists will be invited to participate in an interview via Zoom.  The scholarship is available in 2026-2027.

How do I apply?

1.     Current high school students newly admitted to UB must submit the following:

• A personal statement of 500-800 words demonstrating your awareness of the life and work of Alison L. Des Forges; your intent to study issues related to human rights and social justice; any previous relevant experiences; and an explanation of how this award would make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

• Two letters of recommendation attesting to your qualifications for this scholarship. One letter must be from a teacher.  The second letter may be from a coach, mentor or other unrelated adult.

• High school transcript (including GPA).

• SAT or ACT score (optional).

• List of extracurricular activities, describing your involvement and any positions held.

Application and submission details are on the UB Scholarship Portal here.

2.     Current UB undergraduate sophomore or junior students must submit the following:

• Confirmation that you are a graduate of a Buffalo Public or Charter School.

• A personal statement of 500-800 words demonstrating your awareness of the life and work of Alison Des Forges, your intent to study issues related to human rights and social justice, and an explanation of how this award would make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

• Two letters of recommendation: One from a professor; one from a coach, mentor or unrelated adult.

• An unofficial transcript from the University at Buffalo and any previous colleges attended.

• List of extracurricular activities, describing your involvement and any positions held.

Application and submission details are on the UB Scholarship portal here.

Application Deadline

Applications may be submitted starting on March 1, 2026. The application deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026 at midnight.

What does the award include?

This annual award of $5,000 is renewable for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study at the University at Buffalo and is in addition to other financial aid, with total financial support not to exceed the cost of attending the University. Awardees will be mentored by members of the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Committee and encouraged to use scholarship monies to pursue special projects relating to human rights, including language study and study abroad. Awardees must maintain full-time student status, successfully complete 24 credit hours per year, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to keep the scholarship.

Who do I contact for additional information?

If you have any questions, email ALDScholarship@buffalo.edu.

Who are the Past recipients?

You can read brief bios of present and past recipients here.

How is the Scholarship Funded?

The Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Committee established an endowment fund at the University at Buffalo to support this annual award. Each year at least one graduate of a Buffalo Public or Charter School who is either newly admitted to attend UB as a first-year student or is a full-time undergraduate sophomore or junior student is selected for the annual award of $5,000.

Read the 2012 news announcement, “Memory of Late Historian and Human Rights Activist Alison Des Forges Honored by UB Scholarship.

How Can I contribute to the fund?

Donations to the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund will help future generations continue Alison’s important work. The fund is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. You can make your contributions online, by phone, or by mail.

1. To donate by mail, download and mail this form.

2. To donate by phone, call 855-GIVE-2-UB and indicate clearly that your contribution is to the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund.

3. To donate online, go to https://ubfoundation.buffalo.edu/giving/ and type "Des Forges" in the "Search for More" box.  Choose the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund.