Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

Established in 2021, in celebration of Rensselaer’s School of Architecture’s commitment to fostering a community that respects and embraces diversity and inclusion and the belief that diversity and inclusion are core values in the education of an architect, the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship is awarded to a student from historically underrepresented populations in higher education.

AWARD

The Scholarship is sponsored by the Dean’s Leadership Council and provides an award of $5,000 to one or more students annually based on the availability of funds. The award is to be used for tuition, fees, books, on-campus room and board, or international/study abroad expenses.

The Office of Financial Aid will be notified of the winners of this scholarship and need-based aid may be adjusted accordingly by the Financial Aid staff.

ELIGIBILITY

• Representative candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds will be considered. Individuals such as the following groups below are strongly encouraged to apply:

Black or African-American
Latino, Hispanic, Chicanos or Chicanas
Indigenous, Native American or Alaskan Native
Asian, Native Hawai’ian, or Other Pacific Islander
Haitian or Caribbean
Arab or Middle Eastern
Biracial or multiracial
Veterans
Persons with disabilities
Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community

• The following matriculated students in the academic year 2022-2023 may apply:

Bachelor of Architecture: (4th year or 5th year)
Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences: (3rd or 4th year)
Master of Architecture: (3rd year or last year for an advanced standing student)

• Candidates who demonstrate academic excellence (3.0 GPA or higher).*

(*) Students with lower GPAs and who consider their grades have been affected by underprivileged or disfranchisement circumstances, should apply and state such a situation in their candidacy essay. Preference shall be given to students who demonstrate a financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

• Student recipients of the scholarship are eligible to apply for a consecutive scholarship award prior to entering their 5th year in the program.

APPLICATION

• 500-word min. essay addressing the candidate’s position regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please include your name, RIN, class year and email address on this document. Students with lower GPA may add a few more paragraphs explaining their unique situation.
• A portfolio comprised of 3-5 creative works which may or may not be architecture-specific. This may include pertinent written examples (i.e. HTC coursework) demonstrating the student’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please note, it is highly recommended that portfolios are edited and curated to strengthen the student’s candidacy to address the intentions of this scholarship.
• A 1-2 page resume of professional and extracurricular activities. Please highlight on the resume any community-based activities that affirm the applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Two letters of recommendation (a minimum of one letter from a current or former instructor at Rensselaer). References should be made aware of the need to address in their letters not only the student’s academic achievements but the pertinence of the student candidacy within the scholarship’s diversity and inclusion framework.
• A 300-word financial need declaration (for applicants who are non-U.S. citizens only).
• All materials, including recommendation letters, must be uploaded to BOX. Refer to email from the Dean’s office for the specific BOX location.

NOMINATION OPTION

• Students and faculty are encouraged to nominate students to be considered for this scholarship. Please contact the Selection Committee’s Chair who will personally reach out to the student(s) encouraging them to apply.
• The committee will impartially assess both direct applications and nominated applicants, treating them with equal consideration in the selection.

SELECTION PROCESS

• An official selection committee composed of three School of Architecture faculty and one alumnus/a will evaluate all qualified candidates and forward a recommendation to the Dean in ranked order. One of the three faculty appointed to the committee by the Dean will serve as the committee chair.
• The Dean invites NOMAS and AIAS to recommend former Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship recipients interested in serving on the selection committee.
• Staff from the Financial Aid Office will review the list of finalists and provide information regarding financial need, which will be considered by the faculty committee and the Dean throughout the selection process.
• Foreign Students are eligible to apply. As the Financial Aid Office may not have record of their financial needs, they are advised to include a brief declaration regarding their situation.

SCHEDULE

• Application Deadline : February 16, 2024
• Announcement : March 22, 2024 (approx. date)

INQUIRIES

• All inquiries, and all application materials, should be addressed to Lindsey Cronmiller, Administrative Coordinator:

APPLICATION OF FUNDS TO STUDENT ACCOUNTS

• Scholarship funds will be credited to the winning students’ accounts.