Full-Tuition Scholarship for Students Living Near JFK

JFK Redevelopment Opportunity Scholarship at Vaughn College

Full-Tuition Scholarship Opportunity

Students who live near John F. Kennedy International Airport in one of the qualifying zip codes listed below can apply for a full-tuition scholarship to Vaughn College after being accepted to the College for a Bachelor’s Degree starting in the Fall 2027 semester. Students who are accepted to the College will receive access to apply for the scholarship.

The deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to April 30, 2026, so start your application to Vaughn today! 

Eligible students must:

    1. Live in one of the qualifying zip codes below
    2. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least an 80 GPA
    3. Graduate high school in Spring of 2027
    4. If applicable, have a minimum cumulative score of a 1000 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT
    5. Possess academic accomplishments, intellectual and creative distinctions, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, and original essays.
    6. Complete and submit an application for admission to Vaughn College prior to submitting a scholarship application. Scholarship applications will be available via the Vaughn College application portal upon acceptance.

Those awarded will also receive:

  • Access to internship opportunities with the Port Authority or JFK Terminal Operators
  • A “Futureproof” tuition-free education
  • Career pathways through mentorship, training, and exposure to real-world aviation professionals and projects

Everything You Need to Apply

This scholarship was created to open doors for students in the communities surrounding JFK—and to connect them with the aviation careers taking shape right next door. Expand each section below to see if you qualify, what to prepare and when your application is due. Start with your application to Vaughn; once you’re accepted, the scholarship application will be waiting in your portal.

QUALIFYING ZIP CODES

Applicants should reside in one of the following zip codes in order to be eligible to apply for the scholarship:

11003 (Elmont), 11096 (Inwood), 11405 (Jamaica), 11411 (Cambria Heights), 11412 (St. Albans), 11413 (Springfield Gardens), 11414 (Howard Beach), 11416 (Ozone Park), 11417 (Ozone Park), 11418 (Richmond Hill), 11419 (South Richmond Hill), 11420 (South Ozone Park), 11421 (Woodhaven), 11422 (Rosedale), 11423 (Hollis), 11428 (Queens Village), 11429 (Queens Village), 11430 (Jamaica), 11432 (Jamaica), 11433 (Jamaica), 11434 (Jamaica), 11435 (Jamaica), 11436 (Jamaica), 11451 (Kew Gardens), 11516 (Cedarhurst), 11557 (Hewlett), 11559 (Lawrence), 11580 (Valley Stream), 11581 (Valley Stream), 11582 (Valley Stream), 11598 (Woodmere), 11691 (Far Rockaway), 11692 (Averne), 11693 (Broad Channel), 11694 (Rockaway Park), 11695 (Fort Tilden), 11697 (Breezy Point)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria for admission to the JFK Redevelopment Opportunity Scholarship at Vaughn College:

    1. Graduating high school in Spring of 2026
    2. Minimum cumulative grade point average of at least an 80 GPA
    3. If applicable, minimum cumulative score of a 1000 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT
    4. Applicant’s academic accomplishments, intellectual and creative distinctions, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, and original essays.
    5. Complete and submit an application for admission to Vaughn College prior to submitting a scholarship application.
    6. Applicants must complete a JFK Redevelopment Opportunity Scholarship at Vaughn College Application through the Vaughn College application portal.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

The following is required to be submitted as part of the JFK Redevelopment Opportunity Scholarship at Vaughn College Application:

    • Two letters of recommendation, one from a high school teacher and the other from a counselor, administrator, or person who can objectively assess your abilities and character (no family members, please). Do not submit more than two letters. Please ask your references to address the following:
      • Reference’s position or title
      • How long and in what capacity you have known the applicant and describe the applicant’s motivation and potential for academic success. Comments should be specific.
      • Describe the applicant’s distinctive qualities or unique characteristics that you have personally observed that make the applicant particularly qualified to receive a Full Tuition Scholarship.
    • Essay (typed as separate copy and attach to application; 12 point font, double spaced).
      • Please address in no more than 500 words the most impressionable moment in your life and why this moment led you to apply to Vaughn College.
  • Completed application form (with all required signatures)
  • Professional resume

Vaughn College will also review the following documents submitted with your application for admission for purposes of evaluating your scholarship application:

  • Official high school transcript 
  • If applicable, SAT or ACT scores. If test scores were not included with your application for admission, the scholarship applicant must arrange to have such results forwarded to Vaughn College by the due date of the scholarship application.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

The deadline to apply is April 30, 2027.

Funding Partners

Port Authority of NY and NJ

JFK Terminal 1

JFK Milennium Partners

Delta

JFKIAT

American Airlines

Vaughn exterior and sign

QUESTIONS?

For additional questions, please contact:

Ms. Anna Ragno
Assistant Vice President for Admissions
anna.ragno@vaughn.edu
718.429.6600 ext. 117