Scholarship Opportunities
NYSEF's mission is to provide opportunities for athletes of all ages to reach their potential in snow sports through professional guidance and financial support. Through the generosity of numerous community members, NYSEF offers scholarships to support tuition, camp, travel, and race fees for enrolled athletes based on both need and merit. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are due by September 31 for fall and winter programs, and March 31 for spring and summer programs.
Applicants will be notified of their awards by December 31st and May 31.
We have simplified our scholarship application process so that you only have to fill out one application form regardless of which NYSEF Scholarship Fund you are applying for!
Scroll to learn more about NYSEF's scholarship opportunities and apply today!
Dare to Dream Scholarship Fund
NYSEF's Dare to Dream Scholarship Fund is an unrestricted fund designed to support athletes who have demonstrated high levels of commitment and dedication to their respective sports and to help them defray costs standing in the way of their dreams. Athletes are awarded based on financial need, coach recommendation, and merit.
As program and training fees increase, so does the demand for scholarships. The increase in expenses of snowsports has a large impact on keeping athletes in the sport. In some cases, athletes are forced to leave NYSEF and pursue their snowsport elsewhere because competing organizations can provide significant support. NYSEF is eager to keep our athletes in the region and continue their snowsport careers.
Our annual Chairman's Holiday Party, held every December, is our biggest fundraiser for this scholarship fund.
Additional Scholarship Funds Include:
Horst Weber Scholarship Fund
Horst Weber (left) and Bruce Colon.
Horst Weber is a former NYSEF Program Director and Head Coach. Upon his retirement from NYSEF in 2000, many of Horst's friends, colleagues, and former athletes joined together to establish a scholarship fund as an ongoing tribute to Horst's tireless dedication to NYSEF and to benefit worthy junior skiers.
The Horst Weber Scholarship is an endowed scholarship fund that provides financial support to one or more promising NYSEF junior alpine, freeride, nordic or snowboard athletes, male or female, who demonstrate a commitment to reaching their potential in snow sports competition. Funds from this scholarship may be used to defray training or competition expenses such as NYSEF program or enrollment fees, travel costs, race entry fees, equipment, or participation in NYSEF or US Ski and Snowboard camps.
Ingrid Ormsby Scholarship Fund
Ingrid Ormsby at Whiteface Mountain
Ingrid was born in Czechoslovakia where she began her skiing career at the age of 3. Ingrid lived and skied for 8 years in the Bavarian Alps ski resort town of Oberaudorf, Germany before moving to New Britain, CT at the age of 14 to pursue her skiing dream.
In the States, she competed at renowned race events across the world and trained with the U.S. Ski Team. Ingrid was a beloved member of the Whiteface and Lake Placid communities. The Ingrid Ormsby Scholarship is dedicated to Ingrid's support of alpine racing for local youth athletes.
This scholarship is awarded annually to an athlete who is pursuing their snowsport career at Whiteface Mountain and participating in NYSEF- an organization that provides educational opportunities for athletes of all ages to reach their potential in snowsports. In addition to being an avid alpine skier, the scholarship recipient must also be in good standing with the local community and their school.
Bill 'Wittso' Witte Scholarship Fund
Bill Witte (center) with Phil and Steve Mahre.
The Bill “Wittso” Witte Scholarship was established at the end of 2015 to keep Wittso’s passion for making skiing fun and affordable for youth athletes. The rising costs of winter sports have a significant impact on an athlete’s ability to continue in the sport.
This scholarship is awarded to an athlete who demonstrates Wittso’s level of dedication and passion to continue pursuing their alpine skiing career with NYSEF.
John MacKenzie Wilkins Scholarship Fund
NYSEF Freerider John Wilkins
John Wilkins was a member of the NYSEF Freeride program. John competed in slopestyle, half pipe, boarder cross, and giant slalom. He was the age group USASA series champion in the New York Series several times and competed in multiple USASA National Championships. He competed on the Chevrolet Rev Tour, a series of events held around the country for elite up-and-coming snowboarders.
The Wilkins Family created a scholarship in memory of their charismatic son, John. The scholarship provides support to talented and economically deserving NYSEF male or female athlete/s, in an amount that is meaningful to the athlete/s development. Although the scholarship is available to all disciplines, age groups, and venues, athlete/s competing in the NYSEF freeride programs, preferably a full-time athlete, will take precedence. Scholarships can be given out in the form of enrollment support and/or to support competition and travel expenses.
