RIT Announces Scholarship Program for Rochester City School District Graduates

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A. Sue Weisler

Rochester City School District Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard (at podium), with RIT President Bill Destler (center) and James Miller, senior vice president for enrollment management and career services, at the Sept. 22 announcement of a new RIT-City School District scholarship program.

Rochester Institute of Technology is offering a significant scholarship program for graduates of the Rochester City School District who are admitted as freshmen to full-time study in baccalaureate programs at the university. The scholarship/grant program, for those meeting eligibility requirements, will cover full tuition at RIT for city students admitted to the freshman class starting in fall of 2010.

“This program recognizes the importance of strengthening RIT’s support and relationship with the Rochester City School District and the Rochester community,” says RIT President Bill Destler. “This is an opportunity for city students to have aspirations of attending a world-class university. It also is an initiative for RIT to attract the best and brightest from the area’s largest school district.”

Tuition for full-time undergraduates at RIT is currently $28,866.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and a phenomenal show of support by RIT for the college-going culture we are developing among our students,” states Rochester Superintendent of Schools Jean-Claude Brizard. “We are very grateful to Dr. Destler and the entire RIT community for their generosity. This scholarship program reinforces our message that college is an attainable goal for each of our students. We’re saying that we, as a community, believe in them. It’s now up to them to do the work that will put this generous opportunity within their reach.”

Eligibility requirements for the scholarship break down as follows. Students must:

• Attend Rochester City Schools District for three years of high school, and must reside in the district for these three years
• Be accepted to the freshmen class by RIT for full-time enrollment in any of the university’s baccalaureate programs
• Enter directly from high school in their graduation year and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Come from families with income levels below $60,000
• Be certified by their high school counselors during the admission process as meeting residency requirements

The scholarship support, when combined with federal and state grants, equals full-tuition at RIT. It is renewable annually for student participants who are in good academic standing as long as students maintain full-time status at RIT. RIT’s Board of Trustees has unanimously endorsed the initiative.

“The scholarships will build on the many existing initiatives between our organizations and recognizes the criticality of enhancing opportunities for graduates of the district, many of whom come from low income families and believe educational opportunities are beyond their reach,” says Jim Miller, RIT senior vice president for enrollment management and career services. “It is hoped that this initiative will encourage more individuals to pursue academic pathways and perform at levels sufficient to warrant admission to RIT.”