Supporting Students from Historically Underrepresented Groups

Tomorrow’s leaders will come to Yale from a multitude of backgrounds, contributing diverse opinions, insights, skills, and perspectives that strengthen the university. We believe that the most promising students—regardless of origin—must be able to choose Yale and flourish here. This means taking conscious steps to combat racism and other forms of discrimination, while providing the support students need to overcome barriers to higher education.

In Yale College, need-blind admissions and generous financial aid are just the beginning. We want students from historically underrepresented groups to take part in every opportunity Yale has to offer, and we are committed to aid at key moments in the life of an undergraduate:

• The Community Initiative empowers first-generation, low-income, and DACA/undocumented students with a robust support network to ensure academic and social success. The program helps students navigate Yale’s resources, foster identity development, and establish community among their peers.
• Yale College Safety Net supports students as emergencies arise, funding travel home during familial hardship, loaner laptops and other electronics, and urgent medical procedures.
• The International Study Award makes it possible for every undergraduate receiving term-time financial aid to participate in a Yale-approved summer opportunity abroad.
• The Summer Experience Award supports undergraduates taking part in unpaid summer experiences, such as an arts apprenticeship or an internship with a nonprofit, government entity, or nongovernmental organization.

Yale welcomes giving to support financial aid, summer work and study opportunities, and other areas of student need.

Making the Faculty More Diverse

Giving in support of faculty positions and graduate fellowships helps create new opportunities for scholars from diverse backgrounds. 

Yale is in the midst of a multi-year, $85 million Initiative for Faculty Excellence and Diversity. The initiative aims to recruit and foster faculty members who promote diversity at Yale, while also expanding and developing the pool of PhD students who will contribute to the excellence and diversity of future educators.

Making the Student Body More Diverse

Yale College, the Graduate School, and the professional schools are committed to increasing student diversity. Equal opportunity and diversity are fundamental to who we are as a nation and as a university, and we benefit immeasurably when people bring a wide range of talents, perspectives, and ideas to our community. A diverse Yale is a more vibrant, more relevant place—and one that sends extraordinary alumni into the world.

But funding to make a Yale education affordable and accessible is not equal across the university. In the professional schools, where endowments for student support are small, there is a significant need for funding to recruit and enroll students from low-income and other underrepresented groups.

Across the professional schools, Yale aims to expand its funding so that students with demonstrated need may complete their degrees and pursue their professional goals without incurring debt. Your support of new endowments can move us closer to that goal.