Georgia State University Awarded Significant Grant From Yardi Systems to Support First-Generation Students

ATLANTA — Georgia State University has received a grant from Yardi Systems to expand the Yardi Scholars program. This gift will allow Georgia State to enhance the scale of the Yardi Scholarship, which provides first-generation college students the support they need to graduate on time and with the skills and resources to successfully transition from college to a career.

“We are honored by Yardi Systems’ partnership with Georgia State and their belief in our mission of ensuring students can succeed regardless of their background,” said Georgia State University President M. Brian Blake. “Yardi Systems’ generosity will advance Georgia State’s student success supports, enable more first-generation students to thrive in their academic pursuits by easing their financial burden and help them graduate well-prepared to transition into rewarding careers.”

With support from Yardi Systems, Georgia State University will be able to award scholarships to 25 students each year, reaching a total of 100 Yardi Scholars over four years. These scholarships will be awarded to outstanding first-year, first-generation students who plan to pursue a career in business. Each student will receive $10,000 annually and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.8. In addition to expanding the number of scholarships, the grant will also strengthen the university’s support system for Yardi Scholars. It will fund the creation of the Yardi Career Readiness Program, as well as provide supplemental instruction and cohort-based activities designed to build community and promote academic success.

“Our hope for the Yardi Scholars cohort programs is that they will enable an entire cohort of first-generation students to attend, persist and graduate in a timely manner,” said Arnie Brier, Yardi senior vice president and general counsel. “We are thrilled to partner with Georgia State University in pursuit of this goal, and eager to see how this first year unfolds.”

As a national leader in student success, Georgia State University has made significant progress in helping students from all backgrounds achieve at high levels. In recent years, the university has increased the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded by 67 percent and now grants more undergraduate degrees to first-generation students than any other institution in Georgia.

Despite these achievements, data consistently show that first-generation students often face financial barriers and require targeted support to thrive in college. At Georgia State, nearly 80 percent of first-generation students experience some level of unmet financial need— averaging nearly $10,000 per student each year.The expansion of the Yardi Scholarship will help close this gap by providing crucial financial assistance and enabling more first-generation students to stay on track academically. It also supports their preparation for successful careers in business.

“We’re grateful for generous ongoing partnership with Yardi Systems and the tremendous boost they provide to our student success mission,” said Allison Calhoun-Brown, Georgia State University's senior vice president for Student Success. “Students from all backgrounds succeed at equal levels at Georgia State when barriers to their achievement are removed, and by substantially growing the financial and support resources available to GSU students, Yardi Systems is eliminating barriers, creating opportunity, improving outcomes and helping more Panthers thrive.”

Explore the many ways Georgia State philanthropic partners and individual donors make a meaningful difference in students’ lives at giving.gsu.edu.