Saint Rose Students First by The College of Saint Rose

www.strose.edu

432 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203-1490

The College of Saint Rose

SAINT ROSE STUDENTS FIRST

Sponsor a Student, Secure a Future

SAINT ROSE STUDENTS FIRST SPONSOR A STUDENT, SECURE A FUTURE

MY ULTIMATE GOAL... IS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR INTELLECTUAL SKILLS AND PREPARE TO BECOME INFORMED, PROACTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL LEADERS IN THEIR CAREERS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND AS GLOBAL CITIZENS. IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE MUST ENSURE THAT A SAINT ROSE EDUCATION CONTINUES TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS.

SAINT ROSE STUDENTS FIRST As part of the inaugural year of my Presidency, I am announcing a scholarship initiative — Saint Rose Students First — designed to help secure the future of the next generation of Saint Rose students. I have the moral obligation to put students first by offering rigorous academic experiences; providing opportunities for developing their intellectual, creative and spiritual development; and for providing a supportive and safe living-learning environment. David Szczerbacki, Ph.D. President, The College of Saint Rose

WILL I MEET MY SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT? Yes, the College will provide opportunities for you to meet your student and develop a meaningful relationship over time. All Students First scholarship recipients are encouraged to send a letter of thanks to their sponsors.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MY STUDENTS FIRST GIFT? There are a number of ways to make a gift to Students First. An outright gift may be made via check or credit card. Gifts may also be made using stock or securities which carry additional tax benefit for donors. A pledge made payable over four years is also an affordable way to support this important program. You may also consider supporting student scholarships by making a provision for Saint Rose in your will.

WHEN WOULD I NEED TO FULFILL A PLEDGE? The College of Saint Rose recognizes gifts according to fiscal year, which runs July 1 through June 30. Students First donors can pledge $5,000 per year for four years with each payment due by June 30.

WHAT IF MY EMPLOYER WILL MATCH MY GIFT? You may be able to double or even triple your gift to Students First. Matching gifts are dollars matched by employers in response to charitable contributions made by employees. Retirees, as well as spouses of employees, often are also eligible for corporate matching gifts. You will be recognized by Saint Rose for the full amount of your personal gift plus any resulting corporate match. Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue his or her educational goals, but every year, thousands of highly qualified students can’t afford to attend college and fulfill their dreams. We hope you will help with the new initiative and invest in their future. One of the most important issues affecting the future success of our young people is access to higher education. We know that federal and state governments, the media and, most importantly, families are concerned with the cost of college and rising student debt. Public anxiety over the cost of college is higher than ever. Our ability to realize our mission as a tuition-driven institution is and will be predicated by our ability to address the issue of affordability head on.

HELP A SAINT ROSE STUDENT TODAY. Becoming involved with Students First is easy! Simply contact the College’s Office of Annual Giving for more information. You will soon embark on a wonderful and important relationship with a deserving Saint Rose student.

— President Szczerbacki To sponsor a Saint Rose student today, please contact Jason Manning, Director of Annual Giving at 518-458-5303 or email manningj@strose.edu

To find out more about Students First

www.strose.edu/studentsfirst

Saint Rose must and will continue to invest in our students, ensuring that promising students are able to reach their full potential and become the leaders and professionals we need to grow this economy, teach our children, conduct groundbreaking research and fight for the impoverished. But, we cannot do it alone. The ability to fund scholarships and help meet the financial need of our students is the most pressing issue faced by the College today.

To meet this compelling need, Saint Rose has initiated a new way for you to sponsor a student called Saint Rose Students First. This leadership giving program will provide Saint Rose students with a scholarship named by you as well as a unique opportunity for you to form a life-changing bond with the student you have sponsored. Students First is The Saint Rose Fund’s signature donor leadership program and your gift invests directly and immediately in individual Saint Rose students. To meet this urgent need, we are asking for your support of a Saint Rose student for $5,000 per year for four years to provide a four-year $20,000 scholarship to an eligible student.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN STUDENTS FIRST? Saint Rose Students First is the Saint Rose Fund’s signature donor leadership program. Your support is an investment in an individual Saint Rose student. Your gift would sponsor a student at $5,000 per year for their four years at Saint Rose.

MAY I HAVE INPUT INTO THE SELECTION OF A RECIPIENT? Yes, you may identify preference for a student with a specific major, career goal or who exemplifies values you care about. You may also establish a scholarship in honor of a family member, friend, professor or an organization. You may also waive preference, and enable the College to select a student who most needs support.

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY The College of Saint Rose has always put students first, providing them with outstanding academic programs and learning environments which enable them to be successful. Institutional financial aid is provided to 98% of Saint Rose students, making Saint Rose an affordable choice for both students and their families. Each year there is an increasing number of first year and transfer students accepted to the College who indicate that Saint Rose is their first choice school, yet share that cost and/or finances was the major hurdle for not enrolling. Saint Rose must and will continue to invest in students, ensuring that Saint Rose remains affordable and accessible to all. By sponsoring a student through Saint Rose Students First, you will support the College in making the dream of a Saint Rose education a reality for many promising young people.

FACT:

Family wealth has decreased so much over the past decade that the resources needed to borrow no longer exist in many cases, such as the ability to borrow against one’s home.

Saint Rose awards more than $27 million in scholarships, grants and financial aid annually.

FACT: 38% of the Saint Rose undergraduate applicant pool is Pell Grant eligible, which equates to students with family adjusted gross income below $45,000.

FACT: 98% of Saint Rose students received institutional financial aid.

FACT: Nearly one third of the College’s operating budget supports institutionally funded student aid.

FACT: Of the top 10 institutions to which the College loses applicants, 8 are public institutions where the cost differential is the primary factor.

Colleen Cavanaugh ’13 Hometown: Latham, NY Major: Earth Science/ Adolescent Education Current: Pursing Master’s in Adolescence Special Education at Saint Rose, Graduate Assistant, Office of Community Service, degree anticipated 2014

I am so thankful for the generous financial aid package I received as an incoming freshman and throughout my years at Saint Rose. With the help of the Monsignor Delaney Alumni Family Scholarship and the Saint Rose Trustees’ Scholarship, I was able to attend The College of Saint Rose. Without this financial aid, I would not have been able to enroll in the distinguished education programs that Saint Rose has to offer.

JeRMaIne BRooKShIRe â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 Hometown: Waterbury, CT Major: Philosophy Minor: Political Science Plans: Law School or the FBI

I come from a low-income family, but one that highly values education and believes in working toward goals. Even though money was always a concern, I had to remain confident and hopeful that my diligence and hard work would help me qualify for great financial assistance. Simply put, I would not be here if it wasn't for the generosity of The College of Saint Rose financial aid package and the support it gives to students like me who are hardworking but simply may not possess the means to afford college.

MIKaYla ConSalvo â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 Hometown: Fort Edward, NY Major: English with minors in Philosophy, Writing and Political Science Current: 1st year NYU Law School on full scholarship

Throughout my college experience, I was able to focus on learning and building relationships with fellow students and mentors in the community. I was so fortunate to be able to pursue my interests and discover my passions without the fear of figuring out how I would handle a significant amount of debt. My financial aid package gave me the opportunity to take a full four years of undergraduate education to explore my interests.