Purchase College Partners with YPIE to Provide Yonkers Students with Housing Scholarship and Direct Admissions to 30 Programs
- Susan Schwartz
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Betsy Aldredge
Assistant Director of Public Relations
914-251-6959
Purchase, NY, [February 10, 2026]: Purchase College, SUNY and Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) are excited to announce a new partnership that will provide housing scholarships in the amount of $10,000 per year for one Liberal Arts and Science student from each of eight high schools in Yonkers, as well as a direct admissions program that will automatically accept all students from YPIE schools that meet a certain grade threshold for 30 majors.
YPIE is the fifth partner to sign on for the Westchester Scholars housing scholarship program after White Plains, Port Chester, Mamaroneck, and Ossining school districts. The YPIE Direct Admissions Program is the first of its kind at Purchase.
This new partnership will include eight Yonkers Public High Schools: Yonkers Middle High School, Lincoln High School, Saunders Trades and Technical High School, Riverside High School, Gorton High School, Yonkers Montessori Academy, Roosevelt High School–Early College Studies, and Barack Obama School for Social Justice.
Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper, Ph.D., said, “I’m proud that Purchase is investing in the education of YPIE students to eliminate barriers to the application process through this new direct admissions program. We’re grateful to YPIE for their efforts to support students and proud to work together to create pathways that make it easier for talented local students to enroll, thrive on campus, and graduate from a Top Ten Public School that excels in the liberal arts and sciences. We look forward to welcoming more Yonkers students into our robust programs in Law and Justice Studies, Economics, Communications, and Biology, to name just a few of our dozens of majors included in this new partnership.”
Caitlin Read, Dean of Enrollment at Purchase College, said, “We’re excited to partner with Yonkers Partners in Education in a more formal way, building on an existing partnership and the meaningful impact YPIE has had on student success. YPIE doesn’t just help students get into college—they support them throughout their entire college journey, removing barriers and helping students persist and succeed. That work closely aligns with what we do at Purchase, where access, student support, and long-term success are central to our mission.”
“We’re grateful for our longtime partnership with Purchase College and have seen many YPIE students thrive on their campus,” said Sam Wallis, YPIE CEO. “The Housing Scholarship and Direct Admissions Program open doors to deeper engagement, stronger connections, and a more meaningful college experience for YPIE students. We look forward to more ways to work together in the future.”
“Living on campus has been a really positive experience,” said Skye, a YPIE college student and senior at Purchase College. “I have more time to focus on my coursework and spend time in the studio working on art projects, and I no longer have to manage transporting sculptures back and forth on the bus. Being on campus has also helped me build friendships with people who share my interests and access health and counseling services more consistently.”
About the Westchester Housing Scholarship awards:
Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of the application and in consultation with YPIE.
This new partnership with YPIE is designed to promote college access, preparation, and higher education attainment through early intervention. In addition to the Westchester Scholar Award opportunities for graduates from partner schools and YPIE, Purchase provides financial aid information sessions and application preparation programming, and on-campus learning experiences in conjunction with YPIE’s needs.
Eligibility:
Students must participate in YPIE and graduate from one of the partner schools.
Students must live on campus at Purchase College, SUNY.
Students must apply and receive acceptance to one of the following majors: Anthropology, Art History, Arts Management, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Cinema and Television Studies, Communications, Economics, English and Global Literatures, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, History, Journalism, Language and Culture, Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies, Law and Justice Studies, Math/Computer Science, Media Studies, New Media, Philosophy and Critical Thought, Playwriting and Screenwriting, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Undecided.
Students must be recommended by YPIE.
The Westchester Scholars Award will renew each year for a total of 8 semesters. Continued eligibility requirements:
Continue to reside in campus housing until graduation.
Remain in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or above) enrolled in an approved major.
Remain in good standing with regard to conduct.
File a FAFSA and TAP application each year.
Students must share their college experience with students from their high school by visiting their high school, presenting at an on-campus event, or sharing their experience in publications and/or social media.
How to Apply: Applications for the Westchester Scholars are now open. All YPIE students from the partner high schools applying to approved majors will be considered so long as they complete their applications by March 1, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 1, 2026.
Questions regarding eligibility for the Westchester Scholars Award should be directed to Caitlin Read, Dean of Enrollment Management, caitlin.read@purchase.edu or 914-251-6317.
About the Direct Admissions Program for YPIE Students
This automatic admissions program, which is the first one at Purchase College, aims to enhance college access and expand opportunities for students in YPIE schools by providing a streamlined pathway to Purchase College, SUNY, the only public four-year SUNY institution in Westchester County. By removing barriers to admission, the program seeks to foster a college-going culture, promote academic readiness, and strengthen the local talent pipeline, ultimately supporting student body diversity and deeper engagement with the community.
To qualify for automatic admission under this program, YPIE students must meet the following baseline academic criteria:
School Attendance: Attend a Yonkers Public High School (Yonkers Middle High School/Lincoln High School/Saunders Trades and Technical High School/Riverside High School/Gorton High School/Yonkers Montessori Academy/Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies/Barack Obama School for Social Justice).
Minimum GPA: Cumulative GPA of 84.00 by the end of junior year.
Academic Track: On track for an Advanced Regents Diploma, an International Baccalaureate Diploma, or a Regents Diploma.
Students who meet these criteria and do not apply to programs with additional admission requirements will be automatically admitted to Purchase College, SUNY.
Direct Admission includes the following programs:
Students must apply to one of the following majors: Anthropology, Art History, Arts Management, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Cinema and Television Studies, Communications, Economics, English and Global Literatures, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, History, Journalism, Language and Culture, Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies, Law and Justice Studies, Math/Computer Science, Media Studies, New Media, Philosophy and Critical Thought, Playwriting and Screenwriting, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Undecided.
About Yonkers Partners In Education (YPIE)
Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) is a nonprofit organization that prepares students for success from high school through college and into careers. Founded in 2007, YPIE provides individualized academic support, college and career advising, and opportunities to build real-world skills that prepare students for the future workforce.
Through a proven approach grounded in high expectations, personalized opportunities, and strong partnerships, YPIE has put a college degree and secure jobs within reach for thousands of students. Learn more at ypie.org.
About Purchase College, SUNY
Purchase College, SUNY is ranked a Top Ten Public Liberal Arts Colleges for 2026 and among the best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Purchase also ranks as a top performer in the nation on social mobility, which evaluates how well colleges serve low-income students, a testament to the college’s focus on providing access to a high-quality and affordable education and to the student support services it offers. Purchase has a long history of serving students in Westchester County. For more information about the College, visit www.purchase.edu.