Academic Merit Scholarships

Sage awards over $20 million in financial assistance to students based on financial need or specific characteristics. Upon applying for admission to Sage, students are automatically considered for merit scholarships; there is no additional application. We put together the most generous package of aid we can and develop a personalized financial aid and scholarship offer for you.  All you need to do is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out how much you are eligible to receive from Sage. Some of that aid will be funded by endowed scholarships created by our alumni and donors who realize the value of a Russell Sage education and want to make it accessible to as many students as possible. Awards are renewable, provided the student remains enrolled full-time and maintains good academic standing as discussed in the undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

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Conditions of Institutional Financial Aid

New students entering as a first-year students

Sage Merit Scholarships for first-time freshman students are given for a maximum of 8 terms of full-time study (fall and spring semesters)

To qualify, students must be registered for a minimum of 12 required credits per term (fall and spring semesters). Completion of 15 credits per term or 30 credits per year is recommended to graduate in four years.

New students entering as transfer students with credits from a previous institution

Sage Merit Scholarships for transfer students completing their first bachelor’s degree are given for a maximum of 6 terms of full-time study (fall and spring semesters).

To qualify, students must be registered for a minimum of 12 required credits per term (fall and spring semesters). Completion of 15 credits per term or 30 credits per year is recommended.

Additional notes

  • Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree have additional criteria to meet and are limited in the amount of institutional aid awarded by the college. They should speak with a financial aid representative if they have questions.
  • Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree from Russell Sage College have additional limits to their funding, since they may have previously received up to 8 semesters of aid from the college.
  • “Required credits” are defined as courses or credits required for degree completion.
  • Endowed Scholarships have specific eligibility criteria. Students cannot apply for these scholarships. They are awarded by the assigning department or the Financial Aid Office.
  • To qualify for institutional aid at Sage, students are required to meet all financial aid deadlines (including the verification deadline, if applicable) each year.

Specialty Scholarships

The following scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years for first-time freshmen or up to two additional years for transfer students.

Barbara Gural-Steinmetz RSC 1972 Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is given to four students annually with first priority given to those students majoring in the arts, education or humanities. The student recipients must maintain full-time status and a B- average or above. It may be used for tuition, room, board, fees or other associated costs of attendance and may be combined with other merit scholarships and financial aid.

Opalka Family Scholarship
This scholarship is annually funded by Trustee Chet Opalka and Karen Opalka for elementary education and art students entering Sage that have graduated from Averill Park High School.

Upton Scholarship
Female students who are 25 or older are eligible to receive the Upton Scholarship of $3,000. This scholarship is renewable as long as the student maintains full time status and remains in good academic standing. This scholarship can be combined with other merit scholarships.

Institutional Aid