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 Schools. The Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Committee established an endowment fund at the University at Buffalo to support this annual award. Each year a graduate of a Buffalo Public School who is admitted to attend the University at Buffalo as a first-time, full-time freshman is selected for this four-year award. Read the 2012 news announcement, “Memory of Late Historian and Human Rights Activist Alison Des Forges Honored by UB Scholarship.”

Who is Eligibile?

A Buffalo Public Schools graduate who has been accepted to attend the University at Buffalo as a first-time, full-time freshman in any major may apply as long as they demonstrate academic promise and a commitment to study issues related 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.

How do I apply?

Students must submit the following:

• A 500-800 word personal statement demonstrating your awareness of the life and work of Alison L. Des Forges; your intent to pursue courses, activities and a career in 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.

Application information is available on the UB Scholarship Portal website here.

Application Deadline

Applications may be submitted from March 1, 2023 and the application deadline is Friday, April 7, 2023 at midnight.

How Much is the Award?

This annual award of up to $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. Full-time status, successful completion of 24 credit hours per year, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained at the University at Buffalo to maintain this award.

Who do I contact for additional information?

If you have any questions or need more information about the scholarship, please email ALDScholarship@buffalo.edu.

Who are the Past recipients?

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

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 Des Forges Memorial 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.