BISON Scholarship Fund

The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund is a privately funded partial tuition assistance program for low-income children living in the eight counties of Western New York: Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming and Orleans.

BISON’s goal is to equalize educational opportunities for elementary students by offering low-income families educational options normally denied them because of cost. BISON believes that every child should have the chance to succeed. BISON makes a minimum of a four-year commitment to each student awarded a scholarship, but has set a goal of providing scholarships to students throughout their grammar school years.

Thanks to the generosity of the Western New York community and matching grants from the Children Scholarship Fund (CSF), the BISON Scholarship Fund has grown from helping 200 children in its first year to more than 1,750 children today. These BISON children attend over 65 different private or Catholic schools in the greater Buffalo area.

While BISON’s dramatic growth in scholarship support is remarkable, the demand for BISON scholarships is even more overwhelming as awareness of the program has heightened. This demand is our challenge; we appreciate your generosity to help more children have a better chance for a brighter future!

How to Apply

Attention Western New York Families! The BISON Fund is a privately funded tuition assistance program offering partial tuition assistance to low income families. Families awarded a BISON scholarship can enroll their child in any Kindergarten through 8th grade private school of choice in the greater Buffalo area. Scholarships are awarded by annual lottery drawing and are not academic or race-based scholarships, but awarded solely based on need.

New Applicant Eligibility Forms are available at www.bisonfund.com.   If you have questions or need more information; contact the BISON Fund at 716-854-0869 ext. 1.  New this year, the Scholarship Pre-Application must be filled out electronically for the upcoming year.

BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund NEW Dates to Remember

  • December:  New Applicant Eligibility Forms are available for the 2019-2020 academic year
  • February: Current BISON Families will be emailed instructions on how to re-enroll
  • February 28, 2019:  NEW Family Applications are due
  • March:  Lottery drawing and notification from BISON
  • Spring:  BISON will start to notify families and schools of award amounts

 

BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund – Quick Facts 

-The BISON Fund is a privately funded tuition assistance program offering partial tuition assistance to low income families

-Families are required to contribute a minimum of $500 towards each child’s education to be eligible for BISON funding

-The BISON Fund is currently providing tuition assistance for 1,800 children attending 65 different private schools in Western New York

-The average scholarship awarded in the 2018-2019 school year was $1,375

-The greatest award given was $2,100 per student

-Families awarded a BISON scholarship can enroll their child in any Kindergarten through 8th grade private school of choice in the greater Buffalo area.

-Scholarships are awarded by annual lottery drawing and are not academic or race-based scholarships, but awarded solely based on need

BISON Contacts: 

Cindy McDonald, Program Director (Program questions) 854-0869 ext. 1 or cm*******@bi*******.com

Amy Popadick, Executive Director (Fundraising questions) 854-0869 ext. 3 or ap*******@bi*******.com

The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, Inc. P.O. Box 1134, Buffalo, NY 14205 Phone716.854.0869  BISON Fund Website