Support Our Students
An annual gift is one of the most important contributions you can make to our students. Whether you choose to support the Annual Fund – the area of greatest need – student scholarship, the COVID-19 Testing Initiative, or the one of our Student Relief Funds, among many other options, we invite you to join us in supporting the future members of the Rensselaer alumni and alumnae community.
For the past several months, we have assisted our students with unexpected expenses such as travel, lodging, storage of personal items, and technology essential for remote learning. We also continue to ensure that scholarship and other financial resources are available.
Your help is needed – now more than ever – as we continue to prepare our students to join the global network of successful alumni and alumnae after completing their education.
Your gifts support our students and is an investment in tomorrow – and their future. Please join me ‘in paying it forward’ and help invest in the next generation of alumni, together.”
Diane Ozovek Howard ’82
Annual Giving Leadership Council
Chair
Annual Giving Programs
The Rensselaer Annual Fund
The Rensselaer Annual Fund helps to provide a world-class educational experience to our students, helping to prepare them to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century.
Rensselaer Research Fund
This fund, recently established in order to support the efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, supports the continued advancement of ongoing research initiatives.
Undergraduate Student Relief Fund
The Student Relief Fund is an emergency fund for Rensselaer students who face financial hardship that threatens their academic progress during their time at Rensselaer.
The Rensselaer COVID-19 Testing Initiative Fund
The Rensselaer COVID-19 Testing Center Fund will support efforts to keep our community safe and will contribute toward an unprecedented effort in the history of Rensselaer.
Rensselaer Diversity Initiative Fund
The Rensselaer Diversity Initiative Fund allows the Rensselaer Admissions team to provide visitation and continued recruitment opportunities for diverse populations of prospective students.
Graduate Student Relief Fund
The Graduate Student Relief Fund is an emergency fund for Rensselaer graduate students who face financial hardship that threatens their academic progress during their time at Rensselaer.
School Funds
You spent your years at Rensselaer focused on a particular field. Why not show your pride and excitement by giving back in support of the school you graduated from?
Greek Life Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is awarded annually to students with the greatest need who are part of the Greek Life system.
RenXchange: A Student Calling Program
RenXchange is a calling program that consists of student representatives who serve as liaisons between the Institute and its alumni, alumnae, parents and the community.
Annual Fund Scholars Program
One of the most personal and lasting ways to make a difference in the lives of Rensselaer students is with a gift of scholarship.
Annual Fund Assistance Grant
The Rensselaer Annual Fund Assistance Grant was established to provide emergency financial aid to an upperclassman with financial hardship.
Memorial and Tribute Scholarship Fund
Honor the memory of a loved one or commemorate a special occasion through a gift to the Rensselaer Memorial and Tribute Scholarship Fund.
weR Gold
weR Gold is a unique program that helps to raise dollars for student-run special projects and/or initiatives.
Patroon Society Volunteer Program
The Patroon Society Volunteer Program consists of alumni and alumnae volunteers who are willing to connect with other alumni and alumnae to ask for their support of the Rensselaer Annual Fund.
Let’s Go Red
Your support of athletics at Rensselaer will ensure that future generations of students continue to receive the opportunity to balance the rigors of academics with collegiate athletics.
Patroon Scholars Program
The power to make a difference in the lives of our students is fully realized through the Patroon Scholars Program.
Student Testimonials
“Gifts to the Student Relief Fund helped with transportation expenses during the unexpected complications from this semester. With this money, I was able to stay safe with my family, and limit the high cost of movers.”
“With the support of the Student Relief Fund, I was able to avoid the stress and financial burden of finding a way to pay for moving costs, gas, storage, and other things associated with the move to online classes. Your support helps students like me to find a way to get through financial obstacles, and focus on being students.”
“I received money from the Student Relief Fund to cover the travel costs to come back to school to move out. With this money, I was able to pay for my plane ticket, and I was able to avoid losing the personal items that I left on campus.”
“I received money from the Student Relief Fund for traveling and storage expenses that occurred after the COVID-19 virus hit the U.S. With this money, I was able to travel back home and get storage on short notice. Your support allows students like me to continue to pursue their degree in unsure times.”
How Your Gift Makes an Impact
The CARES Act Charitable Giving Incentives
To encourage more charitable giving in 2020, the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) provides some additional tax relief for donors.