Rider University’s Presidential Hope Fund has awarded more than $125,000 in emergency aid to over 40 students since launching in October 2025.

President John Loyack established the initiative, as well as personally pledged $150,000 over three years to launch the effort. The fund provides short-term support to students at risk of leaving school due to financial or family crises, particularly those nearing graduation. The awards help bridge tuition gaps and other essential expenses.

The initiative has generated nearly $2.4 million in commitments from 271 donors, including 100% participation from the Rider University Board of Trustees and senior leadership. University officials say the fund underscores its commitment to retention and degree completion by ensuring temporary setbacks do not derail students’ progress.

“The early impact of the Presidential Hope Fund has exceeded our expectations,” said Loyack. “I am deeply grateful to the alumni, trustees and friends who have come together in support of our students. Their generosity is already making a meaningful and measurable difference.”

Scholarship success stories

Rider University’s Presidential Hope Fund supports senior communications major Sergio Nino Vela.

Vela’s final semester was put at risk after a fire at his father’s manufacturing facility in Peru created sudden financial strain. With emergency assistance from the fund, he was able to stay enrolled and continue working toward his degree.

“As an international student, seeing how Rider supports diverse students and cares about them makes me proud of being a Bronc,” said Vela. “All universities say they care about their students, but initiatives like this make the difference. Rider doesn’t just say it believes in its students — it shows it. It’s more than a university; it’s a family.”

More than anything, it made me feel supported and reminded me that Rider genuinely cares about my success and my ability to continue pursuing my goals without interruption.
— DeAundra Adams, senior, Rider University

The Presidential Hope Fund also helped senior DeAundra Adams remain enrolled during a period of financial instability. She described the support as arriving at a critical moment of tuition-related stress, saying the assistance “truly helped relieve that burden and allowed me to stay to focused without added worry.”

“More than anything, it made me feel supported and reminded me that Rider genuinely cares about my success and my ability to continue pursuing my goals without interruption,” said Adams. “I’m incredibly grateful for the donors whose generosity made that possible.”