BISON’s K-8 scholarships utilize a lottery system based on complete pre-application forms, with a deadline of March 31st each year. New families can click ‘Apply Now’ to enter the lottery, and post-deadline applications are waitlisted. Our program follows students from their entry until 8th grade, as long as they remain enrolled and financially eligible. Currently, the maximum award per student for K-8 Scholarships is $3,000. A required minimum family contribution of $500 ensures families share BISON’s commitment to private education. Our high school scholarships are exclusively awarded to current BISON 8th graders through a lottery drawing. Our high school awards are capped at $4,500 per student. With BISON’s expansion to high school, we help families provide a seamless educational journey from elementary to high school for their child.
For our high school program, scholarships are exclusively awarded to current BISON 8th graders through a lottery drawing. Families receiving the annual $4,500 award can use it at any of our area’s private high schools, ensuring a seamless educational journey from elementary to high school for BISON scholars.”
At BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, scholarships are more than financial assistance; they are pathways to opportunity, growth, and a brighter future. Through the generosity of our donors and partners, we are able to provide life-changing support to students and families seeking access to a quality, values-based education.
Our scholarships are rooted in stories; stories of individuals and families who believed deeply in the power of education and chose to create a lasting legacy. Whether established in memory of a loved one or as an investment in the next generation, each scholarship reflects a shared commitment to expanding educational access and strengthening our community.
From endowed funds that provide long-term, sustainable support to memorial scholarships that honor lives of purpose and service, these opportunities help students thrive academically, grow in character, and pursue their full potential.
Together, these scholarships open doors for students across Western New York, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of a strong educational foundation and a promising future.
Learn more about our Memorial & Endowed Scholarships and the lasting impact they are making for students and families in our community.
The Judy Carr Beecher ’58 Memorial Scholarship was established through the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund to honor the life and legacy of Judy C. (née Carr) Beecher, a 1958 graduate of the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. Following her passing on October 28, 2017, this scholarship was created as a meaningful tribute to her lifelong connection to Catholic education and her alma mater.
This fund provides support to deserving students attending the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, helping to ensure that young women have access to the same strong educational foundation that Judy valued so deeply. Through this scholarship, her legacy continues to uplift and empower future generations of students.
The inaugural scholarship recipient was named in 2018, when Lena, an eighth-grade student from St. Mark’s and a BISON Scholar, was selected—marking the beginning of the fund’s impact on students and families within the BISON community.
Judy’s life, her devotion to her family, and her enduring ties to Sacred Heart are reflected in this lasting tribute. The Judy Carr Beecher ’58 Memorial Scholarship stands as a celebration of her legacy, providing opportunities for students to grow, learn, and thrive for years to come.
The Comer Family Scholarship Fund was established through the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund to honor the lives and lasting impact of Thomas J. Comer Jr. and Jean Comer, whose shared commitment to Catholic education and the students of Western New York continues to inspire.
Following the passing of Thomas J. Comer Jr. in 2005, a proud member of the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Class of 1981, the Thomas Comer ’81 Memorial Scholarship was created to support BISON students in their pursuit of a quality Catholic education. Tom was a dedicated advocate for educational opportunity and served as a valued member of the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund Board of Directors. In his memory, contributions have helped open doors for countless students and families.
In 2024, the fund was further strengthened to honor Jean Comer, whose passion for education left a profound and lasting legacy. Jean was instrumental in advancing the STREAM initiative—integrating Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—across elementary schools. Her vision transformed the classroom experience, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students while energizing educators. Her work helped shape a more dynamic and enriching educational environment for future generations.
Together, the Comer Family Scholarship Fund stands as a tribute to Tom and Jean’s unwavering belief in the power of education. Their legacy lives on through the students whose lives are changed by access to opportunity, ensuring their impact will be felt for years to come.
The Heather Ann Williams Memorial Scholarship was established through the BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund in 2023 to honor the life and legacy of Heather Ann Williams. Heather will be remembered for her infectious laugh, boundless energy, and unwavering optimism. She had a deep love for her family, friends, and community, and lived her life with compassion, generosity, and a strong devotion to her Catholic faith.
In 2014, Heather co-founded The OSC Charitable Foundation with her husband, Jon, where she served as Executive Director. Through her leadership and vision, she made a meaningful impact on countless lives, reflecting her enduring commitment to helping others and strengthening her community.
Created in her memory, this scholarship supports a BISON eighth-grade student in attending the private high school of their choice—an opportunity that reflects Heather’s belief in the transformative power of education. Contributions made in her honor continue her legacy of generosity, ensuring that her spirit of giving lives on through the students and families served by BISON.
The Heather Ann Williams Memorial Scholarship stands as a lasting tribute to a life lived with purpose, kindness, and joy—one that continues to inspire and uplift others for years to come.
The Buffalo Construction Consultants Endowed Scholarship provides critical, long-term support for a deserving grammar school student by helping offset the cost of tuition. Established through the generosity of Buffalo Construction Consultants, this endowed fund ensures that one student each year has access to a quality education in a safe, supportive learning environment.
By investing in a student at an early and formative stage, the scholarship not only eases the financial burden on families but also fosters academic growth, character development, and future opportunity. This enduring commitment reflects Buffalo Construction Consultants’ dedication to strengthening the community by building a foundation for lifelong success—one student at a time.
Reside within 1 of the 8 counties of Western New York.
Meet income eligibility guidelines (based on percentage of poverty rates)
Have a child entering grades Kindergarten through 8th grade
Meet the admissions requirements at the accredited school that their child wants to attend
Our pre-application deadline is March 31st. New and interested families can click on the “Apply Now” button to be placed into our lottery. Our lottery drawing is on April 1st. Families will be notified of the results by email. Pre-application details:
• Resident of Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Genesee, or Orleans county.
• Biological parent or legal guardian of a student entering K-8th grade.
• Total family income within the chart below.
Maximum Income Based on Total Annual 2025 Household Income
| Household Size | Maximum Allowable Income |
| 2 | $58,428 |
| 3 | $73,764 |
| 4 | $89,100 |
| 5 | $104,436 |
| 6 | $119,772 |
| 7 | $135,108 |
| 8 | $150,444 |
For each additional children add $15,336
New families must complete a pre-application form by clicking the “Apply Now” button. The new applicant deadline is March 31st. Preference is NOT given to early applications; however you must apply by March 31st to be considered. Families applying after March 31st will be placed on our waitlist.
Scholarships are awarded using a lottery from all complete pre-application forms submitted by March 31st.
Lottery winners will receive an email with a link to complete a full application in order to receive the scholarship.
All applicants will be notified of lottery results by email after the lottery on April 1st.
If you’re not chosen in the lottery you will be placed on our waitlist. Should funding become available, you will be notified by email of your status change.
In your award email there will be a link to complete your full application.
Click on the link and follow the application steps.
You must complete the application by April 15th to retain your award.
Please be sure to include all your income sources including your FEDERAL 1040 tax return, child support, business income, public assistance, food stamps, Social Security income, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation and financial assistance from family & friends.
Select your school (a complete list is on our website) and contact the school to complete the school commitment form.
After receipt of all the required documents, your scholarship will be calculated. The amount is based on your household size and income, as well as tuition amount.
You must renew annually to continue your BISON scholarship.
Unfortunately, there are always more applicants than available funding. We keep waitlist names for the academic year hopeful that additional funding becomes available.
If you are not taken off the waitlist, you will need to resubmit a pre-application form the following year to be entered into the lottery again.
One key component of educational success is parental involvement. Making a financial sacrifice is a strong incentive to becoming, and remaining, involved. The families are required to pay a minimum of $500 per family.
You are free to transfer your child to another private school. Your scholarship will transfer with you unless you are delinquent with tuition payments or a child is asked to leave. Contact the BISON Fund office if you decide to transfer and we will walk you through the next steps.
The scholarship cannot be used for Pre-K. Children must be at least 5 years old by December 31st of the school year for which you are applying and entering kindergarten. Only our BISON 8th grade scholars will have the opportunity to be entered into the high school lottery for the opportunity to receive a BISON high school scholarship.
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