Commencement Awards

The awards listed below will be presented at commencement and are subject to confirmation of final grades. Graduating students may only apply for these awards if they have registered for commencement and must attend the ceremony on Thursday June 4, 2026 to receive the award. Students may apply for more than one award if eligible. Awards are subject to funding availability.

The application deadline for all commencement awards is Friday May 8 at 11:59PM. We expect awardees will be selected and notified by Friday May 22. 

Alumni Fund Awards

Thanks to the generosity of CUNY BA alumni, we expect to give three to five $250-$500 awards to academically outstanding graduates who are going on to master's or doctorate programs at an accredited institution in the upcoming Fall 2026 semester. Graduates will be selected based on these criteria:

  • cumulative GPA and AOC(s) GPA
  • quality of answers to the application questions
  • proof of acceptance to an accredited graduate program
  • being registered to attend commencement

To apply complete the online application.

Lesley F. Hughes Health Sciences Award

In honor of Lesley F. Hughes, CUNY BA alumna Dr. Stacey Simons has made this $250 award possible for a graduate who has completed an area of concentration in the health sciences and will continue in the health sciences in either graduate school or a career. Graduates will be selected based on these criteria:

  • cumulative GPA and AOC(s) GPA
  • quality of answers to the application questions
  • being registered to attend commencement

To apply complete the online application.

The Miguel & Magdalena Santiago Commencement Award

In honor of his parents, CUNY BA alumnus Eric Santiago has made this award possible to recognize the academic achievements of graduating students who have a connection, personal and/or academic, with Latin American and Caribbean countries. Up to 2 awards in the amount of $2,000 will be given. Graduates will be selected based on these criteria:

  • have a personal and/or academic connection with Latin American and Caribbean countries
  • have a GPA of 3.50 or above. This includes CUNY and non-CUNY, including those grades that were not transferable, for more details on how CUNY BA determines your graduating GPA please refer to the Graduation Honors section of our Academic Policies webpage.
  • quality of answers to the application questions
  • being registered to attend commencement

To apply complete the online application.