© 2025 Cornell University, All Rights Reserved
In 2020, architecture alumni from the Class of 1984 recognized that while the university was generating significant support for academic excellence, opportunities, and affordability, there were still some student needs that were not being met. That year, the class launched the AAP Student Support Fund to address students' unforeseen challenges and timely opportunities. Classmates got together and contributed gifts of all sizes, resulting in a total of $107,000 raised to ease students’ financial burdens and empower them to thrive during their time at AAP.
Last year, the AAP Student Support Fund provided $40,000 in assistance to 90 students for everything from winter coats, to conference registration fees, to transportation home for the holidays. The college's administration has grown to rely on the AAP Student Support Fund to provide a vital safety net for many students with constrained resources. With the success and growing awareness of the fund, its current financial resources are beginning to be strained, risking reduced awards and narrowing eligibility in the years to come.
In order for AAP to respond to all its students' requests, we've set a goal of $30,000 by Dec. 31. The College and Class of ’84 are working together to expand the annual appeal to the full AAP community, because the more people who give to this fund, the more AAP students feel supported. Gifts of all size make a difference.
Your generous support makes the AAP more than a place of a higher education, but also a lifelong support network of alumni and friends. Your gift allows AAP to make an immediate impact on students' lives, and build a stronger community focused on creating a more sustainable, just, and resilient world.
Provide a meal for one student. "You can't conquer the world on an empty stomach."
Unleash students' creativity with supplies, materials, or software for AAP's intensive coursework.
Provide students lacking the necessary winter clothing the ability to stay warm and focus on their education. Ithaca is "gorges" but it is also cold!
Send students to important conferences that connect them with leaders in their field, and afford them the opportunity showcase their work.
Support a student through an unforeseen challenge—like support for medical bills, a flight home to visit an ailing family member, or funds for emergency towing.
Invest in innovation by funding independent student research in NYC.
Help the college build a strong community with this leadership gift to the AAP Student Support Fund.