Beginning October 17, students will be able to apply for need-based financial support from the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience to support a range of educational experiences, including internships, attachment courses, and tutoring. The application process comes following the September 23 announcement by Board of Trustees Chairman Ross Mauri ’80 that all members of the Marist College Board of Trustees have made a pledge to support the fund in honor of President Kevin C. Weinman’s inauguration as the College’s fifth president.

Weinman and his wife Beth created this fund with a personal pledge in December 2021 to enable talented students with financial need to access the same range of experiences as their classmates. As Weinman noted, his family’s gift was “intended to be one small step toward helping all of our students to reach their full potential and get the most out of their Marist experience.” Prior to announcing the full board’s commitment to the fund at the inauguration, Mauri and his wife Barbara had previously matched the Weinmans’ pledge. The College’s goal is to continue to grow the fund, the range of activities it supports, and its impact on students with donor support.

To be considered, students must submit an application/indication of interest. Further details on the application process will be available in the coming weeks.

Supported Activities

• Internships: Stipends will be awarded to reduce financial obstacles to participation in internships, many of which are unpaid or underpaid, including support for travel and incidental costs. Awards of up to $3,000 will be available depending on need and the individual’s situation.
• Attachment Courses: Funds will be awarded to offset the incremental charge for participating in these courses. To support as many students as possible, most awards will partially offset the cost of participation and range from $1,000 to $3,000.
• Tutoring: Funds will be awarded to ensure access to tutoring services, including individual tutors, with a particular focus on first-year students.  

Selection Criteria

• Awards are intended for students enrolled in an undergraduate, degree-seeking program who demonstrate significant financial need and where financial constraints are a barrier to participation in internships, attachment programs, individual tutoring, etc.
• Demonstration of financial need will primarily be based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as evidenced by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students with significant financial need may also be eligible.
• Successful applicants will have demonstrated meritorious academic performance.
• Internship support will be limited to credit-bearing internships to be completed during the Spring 2023 or Summer 2023 term(s). The quality and academic/career relevance of the internship will be considered as a factor during the selection process. Students must have completed at least 60 credits prior to the semester of the internship.
• Support for attachment courses will be determined by priority of demonstrated need.
• Tutoring services will be coordinated through the Academic Learning Center.

Applications will be reviewed in a competitive process to distribute available funding by a committee consisting of representatives from Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, the Center for Career Services, International Programs, and Business Affairs. Student Financial Services and Business Affairs will be responsible for confirming eligibility and overseeing the distribution of awards. 

For questions about the application process or the fund, contact Academic Affairs at academic.affairs@marist.edu or (845) 575-3629.

Make a Gift to Support the Fund