Financial Aid and Scholarships

Attending college is a significant decision that requires a considerable investment of your time, effort and finances. RIT offers many financial resources to help you reach your goals.

Dedicated financial aid advisor

When applying to Saunders College of Business, you have a dedicated financial aid advisor to coach you through the many financial aid and scholarship options for you to consider.

Donna McKeown headshot
Donna McKeown
Assistant Director
585-475-2186
dlmsfa@rit.edu

Get the information you need to apply for financial aid including deadlines, step-by-step instructions, forms, and more by selecting a link below. Many sources are available, including scholarships, grants, loans, student employment, work study, and more. If you need help or have questions, you can also visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Saunders College endowed scholarships

Saunders College Endowed Scholarships are available to current undergraduate and graduate students after they have completed one semester. To apply, students must meet several requirements. Please review the following information to learn more about the scholarships available and how to apply.

Undergraduate and graduate students who meet the requirements listed below should submit a Saunders College Scholarship application.

The application deadline is February 15.

You only need to submit one application per year, and you do not need to apply for a specific scholarship as all applications are reviewed and considered for all opportunities available.

Eligible students may apply for Undergraduate Saunders College Scholarships after completing 12 credits at RIT. Please review these criteria that you must meet before applying:

  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50.
  • Earned a minimum of 12 credit hours from Rochester Institute of Technology.
  • Be enrolled full-time in a Saunders College of Business undergraduate program.
  • PREP students are not eligible for Saunders College Scholarships.
  • Bridge students are not eligible for Saunders College Scholarships.

Submit your Saunders College Scholarship application by February 15!

Please review these criteria that you must meet before applying for Graduate Saunders College Scholarships:

  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.70.
  • Earned a minimum of nine graduate credit hours from Rochester Institute of Technology.
  • Awardees must be enrolled in a Saunders College of Business graduate program.
  • PREP students are not eligible for Saunders College Scholarships.
  • Executive MBA students are not eligible for Saunders College Scholarships.

Submit your Saunders College Scholarship application by February 15!

Scholarship Details
Brian E. Hickey and Jean P. Hickey Endowed MBA Scholarship Established in October 2004, and revised in 2016, the Brian E Hickey and Jean P. Hickey Endowed MBA Scholarship provides academic scholarship(s) annually to full or part-time MBA or EMBA students in Saunders College of Business at RIT, with a preference for students who are graduates of St. Bonaventure University.
Daniel D. Tessoni Endowed Scholarship in Accounting Established in October 2007 to provide scholarships annually to students majoring in the field of Accounting in Saunders Saunders College of Business at RIT.
Donald Margolis CPA Endowed Scholarship Established to provide annual scholarship support for qualified and deserving students from the Rochester Metropolitan Area who are selected by virtue of merit, need, and interest to aspire, to careers as Certified Public Accountants.
Donald Zrebiec Scholarship Fund Established to provide annual scholarship support for qualified and deserving students in RIT's Saunders College of Business, who by virtue of merit, need or interest, aspire to careers in business.
Donn J. Calabrese Family Scholarship Fund Established in 2003, the Donn J. Calabrese Family Scholarship provides academic scholarships to students in Saunders College of Business.
Dr. Eugene H. Fram Endowed Scholarship Established in 2002 to students in Saunders College of Business at RIT.
Hope & Lance Drummond Scholarship Established in 2017 to provide scholarship support to RIT students with a preference for students from Jamaica, or of Jamaican or African American descent, enrolled in Saunders College of Business.
Jack Shirman Scholarship Established for full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in Saunders College of Business.
John J. Wittman II Memorial Endowed Scholarship Established in 1986 to provide a monetary merit award to students in Saunders College at RIT who demonstrate the qualities of perseverance and hard work. The award will recognize the accomplishment and scholastic achievement of students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Saunders College of Business.
Louis A. Wehle Edowned Scholarship Established in 1987, this fund provides annual scholarship support to students in Saunders College at RIT, who by virtue of merit, need, or interest, aspire to careers in business professions.
Manufacturers Hanover Endowed Scholarship This fund was established in August 1987 to perpetuate the Manufacturers Hanover's interest in the human resource of business professions by encouraging young people to prepare for productive careers in business through enrollment in the professional education programs in Saunders College of Business. The recipient must be an entering or enrolled student in a business program and must have and maintain a high level of academic achievement, as well as possess the characteristics of strong motivation and character.
Michael P. Morley ’89 Endowed Scholarship Established in 2010 to provide graduate scholarships to students attending Saunders College of Business.
P.V.R. Rao Endowed Scholarship Established in 2011 to provide scholarships to graduate students, including those enrolled in the Executive M.B.A. (EMBA) program, in Saunders College at RIT.
Phil Tyler Endowed Scholarship Established in 2008 to provide scholarships annually to students majoring in the field of Marketing in RIT's Saunders College of Business.
Saunders Class Gift Endowed Scholarship Established in November 2002, the Saunders Class Gift Endowed Scholarship provides academic scholarships annually to students in Saunders College at RIT. It is the founder's intent that this scholarship be awarded to an individual(s) that have demonstrated strong character and a dedication to the improvement of the Saunders and RIT community. Grade point average is not the primary factor in selecting the recipient of this award. Selection for this scholarship will be based on the recipient's enrollment in Saunders College. Recipients must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students and be in good academic standing. Additional, recipients must demonstrate that receiving this award will enable them to more actively contribute to the betterment of the Saunders and RIT community.
Saunders College of Business Faculty Endowed Scholarship Established in May 2003 to provide scholarships annually to students in Saunders College of Business at RIT.
Saunders College of Business Recent Alumni Endowed Scholarship (COBRA) Established in September 2002, the Saunders College of Business Recent Alumni Endowed Scholarship provides academic scholarships annually to students in Saunders College at RIT who have displayed outstanding leadership and academic abilities.

SCBRA was founded in September 2001 with the intent of providing a means for recent alumni to stay connected and contribute to the betterment of RIT's Saunders College of Business. With approximately 20 active members in the Rochester area, SCBRA sponsors between 10 and 15 social, networking, and service events each year.
Saunders College of Business Women’s Alumnae Network Endowed Scholarship Established in September 2002 to provide academic scholarship(s) annually to women students enrolled in Saunders College of Business at RIT.
Susan Riedman Holliday ’85 MBA Graduate Endowed Fellowship Established in 2013 and updated in 2017 to provide fellowship support to RIT students who have completed their undergraduate studies in any RIT bachelor's degree program.
Taysom Family Business Excellence Endowed Scholarship Established in 2017 to provide scholarship support to students enrolled in RIT's Saunders College of Business, with a preference for MBA students with an academic background in STEM and sustainable practices.
Thomas W. Dougherty Scholarship in Management Information Systems Established in March 2005, the Thomas W. Dougherty Scholarship in Management Information Systems will provide a scholarship to a student in Saunders College of Business' management information systems program.

E. Philip Saunders Scholarship

A lifelong resident of Livingston County, NY, Mr. Saunders established the E. Philip Saunders Scholarship. The undergraduate scholarship provides two, four-year academic scholarships annually, to graduates of Avon, Dansville, Livonia, Mt. Morris and York High Schools in Livingston County, NY, who have been accepted to Saunders College of Business.

Learn more about Saunders Scholars

Graduate scholarships

A graduate degree delivers a high return on investment as they are the key to a lifetime of higher earnings. See for yourself how, as BusinessBecause.com shares in their article The Average MBA Will Increase Their Salary By 77% After Graduation. Graduate scholarships are available for those meeting the following criteria.

RIT Master Plan

Whether you’re a recent grad of RIT or you’re about to complete your bachelor’s degree, now’s the time to continue your education and apply for an RIT master’s degree. The RIT Master Plan is an opportunity for you to pursue a master’s degree and receive a scholarship covering 45-50% of your graduate tuition.
Learn more

RIT Master Up NY Plan

An exclusive offer for New York State residents with a bachelor’s degree, or anyone who graduates from a college or university in New York state. Qualified candidates get a 30% Tuition Scholarship for a Master’s Degree.
Learn more

Scholarship awards for RIT honors students

RIT Honors students applying to Saunders College of Business graduate programs may qualify for a 50% scholarship and apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver. This applies to all applicants who successfully complete the requirements of the RIT Honors Program upon certification and are accepted into Saunders College.
Learn More

+1 MBA partner schools scholarship awards

Student from +1 MBA partner institutions who meet the full admissions requirements can receive a minimum 30% award. Review of Saunders scholarship awards takes place along with department admission decisions.
Learn more

Student employment

RIT offers many opportunities to offset the cost of tuition by working. Students get paid positions while gaining valuable work experience.

Co-op financial benefits

Our unique Cooperative Education Program (co-op) not only complements your academics, but has financial benefits. This full-time, major-specific, paid work experience provides early career exposure that can help you stand out and earn more. Undergraduate and graduate students have the following benefits while on co-op:

  • Pay $0 tuition while on co-op
  • You may still qualify for financial aid
  • Co-op earnings can help you pay for personal expenses or your tuition and fees
  • Co-ops are often built into your academic plan allowing you to graduate on time

Learn more

Student employment on-campus

All students may consider a variety of employment opportunities across the university. Student employees are paid bi-weekly, and these earnings are taxable. Most students use their earnings to pay for books, travel, and personal expenses rather than for tuition and fees. For further details on eligibility and employment opportunities, please visit the Student Employment Office.

Graduate student workers

As a graduate student worker within Saunders College, you will support faculty in their research and class preparations or support administrative personnel of the college. These positions are for an estimated 8 hours per week, and the application process occurs during graduate orientation.

Accelerated degrees

Accelerated BS/MS programs allow you to save time and tuition by shortening the amount of semesters needed to obtain an undergraduate and a graduate degree. Business examples include the Accounting BS/MS and the +1 MBA options. There are two ways to enroll in accelerated programs.

  • First-year students – Outstanding applicants for first-year admission may be offered conditional early acceptance to a master’s degree program as an incoming first-year student.
  • Current undergraduate students – RIT students currently enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate degree program may apply for admission to a combined accelerated bachelor’s/master’s pathway after their second or third year of study, depending upon their bachelor’s degree program.

Learn more about accelerated degree programs here

Explore more financial aid options

Find additional financial aid and scholarship options for you.

First Year Admission

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

Transfer Admission

US Military / Veterans

Graduate Admission

Online Education Admission

International Students

Executive MBA