Increase financial aid for hard working students across the socioeconomic spectrum
Our students are smart, and they choose Stony Brook because it provides an exceptional education at an incredible value. Still, many can’t afford even instate tuition, or they want to keep costs low in anticipation of graduate school. More than 67% of our students come from families earning less than $75,000 a year. Thanks to donors who invest in closing the gap, just $6,800 a year can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give.’ This has been a quote I aim to live by, and this includes giving back to my undergraduate school. I hope that my gift will help make a difference for bright students that are struggling financially.”  —Nora Boujida ’14

“One’s inability to pay for college should not be a hindrance for them to go. This is one small way for me to help people pay for school.” Adrienne Unger, program coordinator of the Humanities Institute at Stony Brook

Create more merit scholarships for high achieving students

By increasing our capacity to attract the nation’s talented future leaders, we raise the level of learning for all students and can better compete with the best universities in the nation and the world for the strongest students and brightest faculty stars.

Reward public service

A new loan forgiveness program for students who commit to public service will give students across the socioeconomic spectrum the flexibility to choose careers that put their talents, interests and values to the most productive social use.

Expand undergraduate research

The National Science Foundation recognized Stony Brook as one of only 10 universities in the US for combining undergraduate education with research. Training serves students well in problem solving, analytical skills and creativity. Our Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) program funds faculty-mentored undergraduate research and provides small grants to undergraduate research for materials and conference attendance.

Increase funding for the best and most productive graduate students
Graduate students are invaluable to the success of our groundbreaking research programs. By recruiting the most sought-after graduate students — in part through the Turner Fellowship Program, which supports underrepresented students — we strengthen our research efforts and diversity commitment and enhance our ability to attract the best faculty.

Read more about the case for graduate fellowships here.