2026 Friend of CUNY Awards & Saluting Our Scholars Ceremony
Join us on December 2, 2026 as we celebrate the individuals who champion CUNY and recognize our outstanding Belle Zeller scholars.
For event details, click the button below.
Applications for 2027-2028 are now open. Submission deadline is Friday, February 26, 2027
Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund
The Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund honors the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Belle Zeller, a pioneering political scientist, educator, and leader who dedicated more than four decades to CUNY and to the advancement of its faculty. As a founding leader and first president of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, she helped establish a strong voice for CUNY faculty and their rights.
Her legacy lives on through the students who exemplify the qualities she valued most: scholarship, leadership, and social commitment.
Each year, The Fund awards scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional
academic achievement and a deep commitment to community service. This combination
of scholarly excellence and civic engagement is at the heart of The Fund’s mission.
Undergraduate Scholarships
346
Professional School and Law School Scholarships
28
CUNY Graduate Center Scholarships
41
Total Awards
415
+Undergraduate Scholarship Application
The Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1979 by the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, the instructional staff union of The City University of New York.
Professional School and Law School Scholarship Application
This scholarship is intended to honor the unique qualities of Belle Zeller: the combination of social commitment and scholarship and is based on merit, not financial need...
CUNY Graduate Center Scholarship Application
This scholarship honors Dr. Irwin Polishook, a longtime CUNY leader and advocate. As president of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) Dr. Polishook was deeply...
Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund
Academic year 2027 - 2028
Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund
The scholarship honors the founding president of the PSC, Belle Zeller, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Brooklyn College, where she taught for over 40 years. This scholarship is intended to honor the unique qualities of Belle Zeller: the combination of social commitment and scholarship. The Fund is an independent nonprofit organization.
Meet Our
Scholars
We are pleased to introduce the 2026 Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund Scholars. These outstanding CUNY students have demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to community service, and a dedication to making a difference.
List of Scholars From 1980 To Present
The Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund is proud to acknowledge the recipients of the Belle Zeller Barbara Bowen Irwin Polishook Robert Kibbee Scholarships 1980 - 2026
Testimonials
Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students from CUNY’s many community and senior colleges as well as to students enrolled at The CUNY Graduate Center and CUNY’s Professional Schools.