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Rochester's Premier Award

Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship

With a permanently endowed fund, the prestigious Alan and Jane Handler Scholarship is awarded to highly academically qualified students with substantial levels of financial need, as demonstrated on their CSS Profile and FAFSA, who have overcome significant obstacles in their lives. Scholars are selected on the basis of academic excellence, outstanding potential to be future leaders, and demonstrated mastery of complex challenges.

An overview of Rochester’s Handler Scholarship, the highest award available for our undergraduates.

The Handler Scholarship is the University’s premier award. Handler students will receive assured, complete financial support (tuition, fees, housing, food, books, personal expenses and transportation), as well as individual and group opportunities, for the duration of the regular four-year academic program.

Scholarship Benefits:

  • A more-than-full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the University of Rochester
  • Individual mentoring and academic support
  • $5,000 in guaranteed funding to support academic or professional enrichment
  • Access to a special alumni network made up of past Handler Scholars

Learn more about scholarship benefits

What does it mean to be a Handler Scholar?

  • Set a good example and act as a leader on campus
  • Engage in the community both on campus and in the greater Rochester area
  • Belong to a supportive community of scholars and administrators
  • Pursue your intellectual passions and explore your academic curiosity

Nominate a student

History

Rich and Martha Handler established the program in 2007 with an ultimate commitment of $25 million. Named in honor of Handler’s parents, this is the largest contribution to student scholarships in the University’s history. Rich and Martha take an active role in the program, developing a strong relationship with the scholars. Rich earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University in 1983 and is the longest serving CEO on Wall Street; he has worked for the Jefferies Financial Group since 1990. In October 2018, the University’s Board of Trustees elected him as Board Chair.

Eligibility

Nomination process

We invite high school and independent counselors, teachers, and community-based organization officials to nominate students for the Handler Scholarship every fall. Nominations will open September 15 and close November 30. Please note, we do not accept nominations from students or parents.

Nominate a student

How to apply

All University of Rochester first-year applicants are reviewed for the Handler Scholarship simply by submitting an application and completing necessary financial aid documents; no additional materials are required. The application does not have to be submitted as Early Decision, but should be submitted by December 1.

Ideal candidates:

  • First-year, fall term applicants (transfer and spring applicants are not eligible)
  • Demonstrated academic excellence
  • Potential to be future leaders
  • Resiliency in the face of complex challenges
  • High financial need

Nominate a student

Finalist interviews

If a student is selected as a Handler Scholarship finalist, they will be invited to a two-part virtual interview event that takes place in mid- February. All finalists will be eligible to receive other competitive high-value and merit scholarships if not ultimately awarded the Handler Scholarship. Handler Scholarship recipients may also be invited to visit River Campus in late spring.

Handler Scholarship financial award details

The Alan and Jane Handler Scholarship is the University of Rochester’s premier scholarship program, providing ongoing financial support and individual academic advising, peer mentoring, and special academic and social opportunities designed specifically for Handler Scholars.

Scholarship benefits
  • A four-year scholarship to the University of Rochester in the amount of the cost of attendance. Health insurance is covered if applicable.
  • Individual mentoring and academic support.
  • Enrichment fund of up to $5,000 to support other enhancements or needs related to the academic experience.
  •  Access to a special alumni network made up of past Handler Scholars.
Scholarship coverage

Tuition and fees

  • The Handler Scholarship (combined with any federal and state grants/scholarships) will cover your tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters or until your first bachelor degree requirements are met, whichever comes first.

Housing and food

  • On campus: Based on your housing and meal plan selection (standard University housing policies apply).
  • Off campus: You will have a standard allowance for off-campus housing, based on reasonable costs of living for students in the area. This allowance is for all expenses: rent, utilities, groceries, transportation to campus, etc. If your costs are higher than the allowance for the academic year, you are responsible for covering the difference. Refunds from your student account will be distributed if you have a credit balance on your account once all your financial aid is disbursed and your Rochester student charges are paid.

Books & supplies

  • You will have an Academic Supply grant of $100 per year to purchase supplies needed for class at the University bookstore.
  • Unused book grants are not refundable and may not be used for other expenses.

Transportation & personal expenses

  • Your cost of attendance for the academic year includes an annual allowance for personal and transportation expenses. Travel is based on the distance of your hometown to campus. This allowance may not be enough to cover every personal expense or trip home, but typically covers arrival to campus and departure at the end of the year.

Required course-related fees

  • You must notify Ms. Williams Hill of any fees in order for your awards to be adjusted.
Handler enrichment fund

The College will also provide a support fund of up to $5,000 to be used for summer school courses, academic or professional endeavors, study abroad, or needs related to the academic program over the course of a four-year experience. You are also eligible to pursue additional funding through the RIG, REACH and/or Discover programs for summer internships and undergraduate research. Contact Kristine Seewagen to discuss and request funding. Requests must be submitted prior to the last date of the term to be considered.

Scholarship stipulations

What is not covered:

  • Rocky Bucks/Flex Account: Funds established as a separate account on your student ID card for use at all dining locations on campus, non-food items on campus (laundry, printing and copying, etc.), and several restaurants and stores off campus.
  • Individual fees that are not required for a course, such as dorm damage, parking tickets, library charges, and Dean’s fees.
  • Funds can only be used while a student is enrolled at the University of Rochester and not for costs at other colleges or universities.

Refunds: Each semester, once all your financial aid is disbursed and your Rochester student charges are paid, you may contact the Bursar’s Office to request a refund if you have a credit balance on your account.

Renewal: You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the University and Federal SAP Policy to renew your scholarship. In addition, you must apply for financial aid annually by March 15 for full consideration.

Contact information

Office of Admissions
admit@admissions.rochester.edu
(585) 275-3221

Karin Wilson, Handler Scholarship Program Director
karin.wilson@rochester.edu

Financial Aid:

Dominique Williams-Hill, Assistant Director, Financial Aid
dominique.williams@rochester.edu
(585) 275-3226

Current Handler Scholars:

Kristine Seewagen, Scholars Program Manager & Academic Advisor, College Center for Advising Services
kristine.seewagen@rochester.edu
(585) 275-2354

Meet the scholars

FAQs

Are international students eligible for the Handler Scholarship?

Yes, our Handler Scholars are representative of the overall class, thus international students will be selected each year.

I nominated a student for the Handler Scholarship, but why haven’t they received any communication?

All nominated students will receive an email with their next steps in the Handler Scholarship process. If your student has not heard from Rochester when nominations close, please let us know.

When are scholarship finalists announced?

An email notification will be sent in mid-February notifying finalists of their status and include detailed information on the interview event. If a nominated student was not selected, they will be notified on the same day.

What if I am invited as a finalist, but I can’t attend the interview event?

Participating in the virtual interview event is a mandatory part of the scholarship process. Any extenuating circumstances should be communicated as early as possible so that we can explore accommodations for your participation.

What if I am not eligible for the Handler Scholarship?

The University of Rochester offers many different merit scholarships, and meets full demonstrated need for all incoming students. Please visit our Financial Aid website for more information.

If I nominate a student and they submit an application, do they need to apply Early Decision and is the nomination binding in any way?

No, nominated students should submit a Regular Decision application by December 1. Submitting a Regular Decision application is not binding in any way. Nominating a student does not guarantee acceptance or receipt of the Handler Scholarship.