The Mission

The mission of the Corporate Connections Scholarship Program is to provide debt-reduction assistance to students approaching their final year of study in the form of corporate-named annual scholarships, valued at $1,000 per student. Eligible students must be enrolled on a full-time basis, must be financially at-risk and academically exceptional (3.0 and above GPA) and must be from the Greater Capital Region.

The Need for Funding

Given the economic challenges facing students and their families as they attempt to afford the cost of a college education, it is necessary to provide scholarship support from multiple resources. Contributions from Capital Region businesses and foundations play a critically important role in helping Sage students earn their college degrees. Download a printable Corporate Connections Scholarship pledge/gift form, and return by mail or fax.

Sage Graduates Benefit the Community

Our graduates are employed throughout the Capital Region as educators, health-care professionals, engineers, business owners, executives, lawyers, public officials and more. The Corporate Connections Scholarship Program directly supports academically qualified Sage students who have financial need, helping them to complete their college education and ultimately become influential to the success of the Capital Region economy.

How the Program Succeeds

The Corporate Connections Scholarship Program operates collaboratively between Sage’s Office of Institutional Advancement and volunteers from the Greater Capital Region. Volunteers includes individuals from a broad spectrum of industries and professions. To increase the number of Corporate Connections scholarships and enhance the relationship with Capital Region businesses and foundations, Sage works with volunteers to maximize program visibility, solicitations and participation. For the 2019-20 academic year, Corporate Connections presented 86 scholarships to outstanding students from the Capital Region. Over the last decade, the program has tripled in size, which speaks to the value that sponsoring companies see in the program.

Sponsor Benefits

  • Impact of helping local students complete their college education with an annual scholarship(s) in your company’s name (fully tax deductible)
  • Opportunity to meet and connect with your scholarship recipient(s), as well as the President, Deans and Board Members of Russell Sage College
  • Recognition at our Corporate Connections Breakfast and Distinguished Donor Reception, where you are honored for your generosity (estimated reach: 300)
  • Prominent recognition in Sage’s alumni publications and digital platforms, including on the Sage website with a link to your company’s website (estimated reach: 25,000+)
  • Increased visibility both locally and nationally via social media mentions, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (estimated reach: 8,000)
  • Tuition discount (10%) for employees enrolled in select Sage continuing education and graduate programs, including Business Administration, Accounting, Psychology, Organization Management, among others
  • Deferred tuition payment for companies who offer tuition reimbursement to employees (your employees do not have to pay out of pocket before reimbursement)
  • Substantial fee discount for space rental at Russell Sage College, including both Albany and Troy campuses (some rules and restrictions may apply)
  • Opportunities for interns and professional recruitment
  • Introduction to area business leaders and executives

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