Alan and Jane Handler Endowed Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The Handler Scholarship is the University of Rochester's leading award. It pays the full cost of attendance for four years, which Rochester spells out as tuition, fees, housing, food, books, personal expenses and transportation, with health insurance covered where applicable. A $5,000 enrichment fund sits alongside it for summer courses, study abroad or professional projects over the four years.

It goes to academically strong students with substantial financial need who have overcome significant obstacles. Rochester states plainly that international students are selected for the programme every year, and need is demonstrated through the CSS Profile.

Every first-year applicant for autumn entry is reviewed automatically once the admission application and the financial aid documents are in, so there is no extra form. Rochester also invites counsellors, teachers and community organisation staff to nominate students between 15 September and 30 November, and it declines nominations from students and parents. Transfer and spring applicants are outside the programme.

Finalists hear in mid-February and must attend a two-part virtual interview event. Finalists who are not chosen stay in the running for Rochester's other high-value scholarships. Keeping the award means maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress and reapplying for aid by 15 March each year.

What It Covers

Tuition
Fees
Housing
Books & materials
Travel
Health insurance
Other

A four-year scholarship in the amount of the cost of attendance: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, personal expenses and transportation, with health insurance covered where applicable and a $100 a year academic supply grant at the University bookstore. On top of that sits an enrichment fund of up to $5,000 across the four years for summer school courses, academic or professional endeavours, study abroad or other needs tied to the academic programme.

Eligibility

First-year applicants for autumn entry, domestic and international alike. Transfer and spring applicants are not considered. Rochester asks for substantial financial need, demonstrated through the CSS Profile and, for those able to file it, the FAFSA, together with academic excellence, outstanding potential as a future leader and a record of mastering complex challenges. Rochester states that international students will be selected each year. Renewal requires Satisfactory Academic Progress and reapplying for financial aid by 15 March each year.

Eligible Countries

All countries

How to Apply

All first-year applicants are reviewed for the Handler Scholarship by submitting the admission application and completing the financial aid documents, with no extra materials required. The application should arrive by 1 December and may be Regular Decision. Separately, Rochester invites high school and independent counsellors, teachers and community-based organisation officials to nominate students between 15 September and 30 November, and nominations from students or parents are declined. Finalists are emailed in mid-February and must attend a two-part virtual interview event that month. Finalists who miss out remain eligible for Rochester's other high-value and merit scholarships.

Application Routes and Dates

First-year admission consideration

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Recurring deadline: Dec 1 (check provider for current cycle)

All first-year admission applicants who complete financial aid documents are reviewed. Optional third-party nominations run September 15–November 30; students cannot nominate themselves. Annual March 15 aid renewal is a later requirement.

Timing source · Checked 2026-09-13