Scholarships at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The Rensselaer Medal is a premier merit scholarship for promising secondary school juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. Participating high schools nominate one outstanding junior each spring; Rensselaer evaluates nominations and notifies medalists over the summer. Medalists who apply, are accepted, and enroll receive guaranteed funding for four years of undergraduate study, or five years for the Bachelor of Architecture program. No separate scholarship application is required beyond admission. Rensselaer provides only the highest single merit award when a student qualifies for multiple institutional scholarships.

The Award for Excellence is a transfer scholarship for the top student transferring into a Rensselaer undergraduate program from affiliated colleges and universities. At two-year affiliated institutions, it goes to the top student entering a non-engineering program; at four-year affiliated institutions, it goes to the top student entering an engineering program. With the exception of the Phi Theta Kappa Award, affiliated-college transfer awards provide a minimum of eighteen thousand dollars per academic year. Students are nominated through their affiliated institution and considered upon transfer admission and enrollment at Rensselaer.

The Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship supports School of Architecture students from historically underrepresented populations in higher education. Sponsored by the Dean's Leadership Council, it provides five thousand dollars to one or more students annually based on fund availability for tuition, fees, books, on-campus room and board, or study abroad expenses. Eligible matriculated architecture students apply with a five-hundred-word essay, portfolio, resume, and two recommendation letters by the February deadline. Recipients may apply for a consecutive award before entering their fifth year in the program. Financial need may be considered alongside academic excellence.