Yardi Systems announced on Apr. 6 a new partnership with Stony Brook University to launch the Yardi Expanded Cohort Scholars Program, a four-year initiative supporting 100 first-generation students through scholarships and professional development.
The program aims to address financial barriers and provide coordinated support for first-generation college students, who make up about 40 percent of Stony Brook’s undergraduate body. By offering scholarships of up to $10,000 annually per student and dedicated programming, the initiative seeks to help these students engage fully in campus life and prepare for successful careers.
The program will start in Fall 2026 with an initial group of 25 business majors. Students will participate in a structured development track that includes living together during their first year, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and leadership training. A coordinator will oversee daily operations and serve as a liaison between Yardi and the university.
Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith said, “I am so grateful for Yardi Systems’ visionary investment in our first-generation students through the Yardi Expanded Cohort Scholars program. This transformative program will reduce the financial barriers for their education while also providing unique experiences for them inside and outside the classroom that build a strong foundation for their future personal and professional success.”
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Carl W. Lejuez said, “First-generation students face unique challenges in pursuing a college education, and the additional support and mentoring this partnership brings can make all the difference as students find their place at Stony Brook.” Lejuez added that such partnerships help Stony Brook remain “an engine of social mobility” by supporting hardworking students.
Yardi previously partnered with Stony Brook in 2023 to establish its original scholars program focused on business majors. The company currently works with universities across North America—supporting more than 300 scholars—and operates cohort model programs at seven U.S. institutions including Stony Brook.
Anant Yardi, chairman and founder of Yardi Systems said, “We believe in the transformative power of education… We hope that this will allow these scholars to attend, persist, and graduate.”
Looking ahead, university officials expect this expanded partnership to continue strengthening academic outcomes while providing career pathways for first-generation students.
