Scholars

At SYA, we believe that excellence in education is achieved through the participation of talented, motivated students from all walks of life.


In an average year, nearly half of SYA families receive financial aid. In addition to the need-based aid provided for our families each year, we are fortunate to award several student scholars with scholarship awards thanks to our generous donors.

The Halsey Fund

The Halsey Fund, a permanent endowment for scholarships, is named in honor of Woodruff W. Halsey II — former president, executive director, resident director and teacher. Established in 2011, the Halsey Fund enables one student per year to receive generous financial aid as well as a stipend for round-trip airfare to the SYA school of enrollment.


The Malú and Carlos Alvarez Global Scholars Fund

Established in 2019, Carlos and Malú Alvarez FR’00P made a record-breaking commitment to help launch and advance The Campaign for SYA in its early stages. With a $2 million outright gift, they have established the Malú and Carlos Alvarez Global Scholars Fund, a permanent endowed fund for financial aid. Each year, SYA will identify at least two Alvarez Global Scholars, talented young people from public schools for whom an SYA education and experience would be impossible, if not for the financial assistance provided by this new fund.


Ángel Vilalta Scholarship and Teaching Fund

In the early 2000s, a campaign to honor beloved SYA Spain faculty member, Ángel Vilalta, was led by co-chairs Stephen Foster ES’65 and Chris Knapp ES’79 to establish a permanent fund in his honor. Each year, an SYA Spain student who demonstrates curiosity in the Spanish language and culture with excellent academic achievement is named the Vilalta Scholar.


Class Scholars

The Class Scholar program began in the 2006-2007 fiscal year as an opportunity for any SYA class to name a one-time scholar by meeting a certain dollar gift threshold to the annual fund. Over the years, the criteria to name a scholar has varied slightly, but typically includes a dollar threshold and class participation threshold. In the fiscal year following the successful fundraising campaign, students that received over 50% of tuition in aid are selected to be sponsored by successful classes.