Rider U's Emergency Fund Has Helped 40 Students Stay Enrolled Since October

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - When a fire destroyed his father's factory in Peru, Rider University senior Sergio Nino Vela wasn't sure he'd be able to finish his final semester.

A new emergency fund at the university helped him stay enrolled.

The Presidential Hope Fund, launched in October 2025, has awarded more than $125,000 to over 40 students facing sudden financial hardship. The fund was created by Rider President John R. Loyack to help students who are close to graduating but at risk of dropping out due to unexpected financial setbacks.

"Rider doesn't just say it believes in its students — it shows it," Vela said. "It's more than a university; it's a family."

The fund has raised nearly $2.4 million in pledges from 271 donors, including every member of Rider's Board of Trustees and senior leadership team.

It is designed to move quickly, targeting students who are close to finishing their degrees and need short-term help to get across the finish line.

"The early impact of the Presidential Hope Fund has exceeded our expectations," Loyack said. "Their generosity is already making a meaningful and measurable difference."

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