Since its inception in 2000, The Renaissance Foundation has primarily invested in educational access and services for those with financial need The Foundation's signature program, the Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP) was created in 2005 RSP focuses on providing renewable college scholarships to talented students with significant financial need who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree Over the past 16 years, our scholars have achieved great success Eighty-nine percent of Renaissance Scholars earn their bachelor's degree within six years, and 92% have graduated overall since RSP's inception (see Graduation Metrics for more information). In comparison, the national college graduation rate for firstgeneration, low-income students is less than 22%. RSP is fully funded by The Renaissance Foundation.
While COVID has created many challenges, the last two years have also been a time of growth for RSP
The Trustees hired the program's first Scholarship Program Manager, Callie Forrest The scholarship selection committee, which reviews and approves applications, tripled in size, adding 16 new volunteers
The program added two new partners, both of which have the distinction of being Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Most excitingly, this year RSP selected its largest cohort to date, 360 new Renaissance Scholars. In the 2021-22 academic year, RSP is supporting 757 scholars.
Looking ahead to 2022, RSP continues to focus on our two primary goals: granting more scholarships to students who meet our selective criteria, and helping our scholars graduate college The program remains focused on maintaining strong scholar retention and graduation rates, while fine-tuning operational processes
In February of 2020, Callie Forrest was hired to be the Foundation’s first Scholarship Program Manager She is focused on growing the number of scholars, developing and refining systems to support that growth, and building partnerships with mentoring organizations and colleges that support our scholars Callie earned her bachelor's degree from Oregon State University and previously worked for RSP partner College Possible
In March of 2021, Shayna Beymer was promoted from Program Coordinator to Senior Program Administrator She is focused on facilitating application review, assisting scholars in navigating college systems, and managing RSP data Shayna was selected as a Renaissance Scholar in 2014 and was hired at the Foundation after earning her bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in 2017
Diana Hoff has served as the Director of Operations and Administration of The Renaissance Foundation since its inception She worked closely with the Trustees to launch RSP, developed the operations and managed the program through its early years She continues to advise the RSP staff
THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
OUR MISSION
THE MISSION OF THE RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND OFFER SUPPORT TO HIGH-ACHIEVING, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WHO WILL BE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
OUR SCHOLARS
All scholars must meet high requirements:
Will be first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree
3 0 GPA or higher
High financial need
Demonstrated strength of character and strong work ethic
THE SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship provides a maximum of $4,000 a year towards tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, depending on each student’s individual financial need It is renewable for up to four years.
Scholars are eligible for renewal if they maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, have financial need, and are enrolled fulltime
PARTNERSHIPS
RSP works closely with several mentoring organizations and colleges to ensure that scholars are supported beyond the scholarship funds they receive from the program
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
RSP provides opportunities for scholars to connect with the Trustees, Foundation staff, and one another during Foundationhosted events throughout the year
BEHIND THE SCENES
RSP is outcome-focused. We carefully collect and analyze data and scholar feedback to refine the program The program also has a dedicated team of volunteers that helps select each new cohort
1,066 SCHOLARS SUPPORTED 89%
$7.6 M INVESTED IN SCHOLARSHIPS
2021-22 COHORT SELECTION
scholarship selection committee
READING APPLICATIONS
SELECTION COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
3
MIN NUMBER OF REVIEWERS PER APPLICATION 662
STUDENT INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED
All RSP applicants undergo a rigorous application and review process. Finalists are carefully selected. This year, 16 new volunteers were added to the committee to help facilitate this process. The committee is made up of educators, college administrators, RSP alumni, and other community members located across the country.
Each application is read and scored by at least three different committee members to ensure a fair average score Finalists are then selected, with a subset selected for interviews
INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES
This year, the top 30% of scorers were granted a scholarship without an interview. The rest of the finalists were interviewed by RSP staff and selection committee volunteers.
2021-22 ELIGIBILITY
In 2021-22, we tested several provisional eligibility changes that expanded our applicant pool
We will monitor the progress of these scholars over the course of their college careers, but have decided for the coming year to revert to our original, more restrictive eligibility criteria
2021-22 cohort
SCHOLARS SELECTED 24
PARTNERSHIPS
college SUCCess programs
Beat the odds/stand for children
cristo rey network
Chicago scholars
college possible- chicago
college possible- oregon
colleges & universities
North Carolina central Univ.*
Pacific univ.
PORTLAND STATE UNIV.
Stillman College*
*Partnerships est. 2020-21
PCC Future Connect project youth+
Univ. of oregon
Beat the Odds Luncheon - October 2018
KEY INITIATIVES
IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS
Traditionally, the Trustees have hosted annual brunches for all RSP scholars who wish to attend These gettogethers have been a highlight of the program since the beginning When it is safe, we plan to resume hosting brunches in Portland and Chicago.
ENGAGING ALUMNI
This year RSP conducted an in-depth alumni survey to gather feedback about potential program improvements and ways to engage Renaissance alumni. Using that feedback, we will recruit more alumni for the scholarship selection committee and involve those interested in a series of career-information panels hosted for current scholars
ADDING A NEW STAFF MEMBER
As RSP continues to grow and expand its services, the volume of behind-the-scenes work and program management work grows as well This winter we will hire a Scholarship Assistant to assist us in processing applications, coordinating events, and managing scholar data
1,000 ENROLLED RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS
Our goal is to reach 1,000 Renaissance Scholars by 2024 while maintaining our extremely high scholar retention and graduation rate
GRADUATION METRICS
RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS
Graduated within 6 years
Graduated total
BEGAN AT A 4-YEAR INSTITUTION
BEGAN AT A 2-YEAR INSTITUTION
RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS IN THE NEWS
"Unprecedented Chicago helps young people find their purpose."
Steve Wilson was selected as a Renaissance Scholar in 2019. He is a member of Chicago Scholars and currently a junior at at Ohio State University Steve founded his own peer mentoring program, "Unprecedented Chicago" to help young Black men accomplish their goals
“From refugees to entrepreneurs: cousins and PSU business students launch brand inspired by their heritage, empower others to do the same.”
Portland State University sophomores and cousins, Japhety Ngabireyimana and Jospin Mugisha were selected as scholars in 2020 and 2021, respectively They founded their own clothing line, "bproud" which is focused on encouraging other young entrepreneurs
"New NCCU partnership provides support for incoming first-year students "
North Carolina Central University sophomore Manuhe Abebe was selected as a scholar in 2021, the inaugural year of the Renaissance NCCU partnership. In this article for NCCU, Manuhe shares what being selected for RSP means to him.
"Vintage clothing enthusiasts show there's 'more than just the Duck Store'."
Referred to RSP by partner Beat the Odds, Eduardo Olivares was selected as a scholar in 2018. He is now in his senior year at the University of Oregon. In this article, Eduardo and his business partner talk about the vintage clothing store they opened in Eugene
"Students find new ways to learn, live and connect both online and on campus."
College Possible student and Portland State University senior, Citlaly Arroyo-Juarez was selected as a scholar in 2018 In this article for PSU, she shares her experience navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing college landscape
RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS Program
Callie Forrest, Scholarship Program Manager
Shayna Beymer, Senior Program Administrator
THE RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION
Irving Levin, Trustee
Stephanie Fowler, Trustee
Diana Hoff, Director of Operations and Administration
