The Gerald R. & Vicki S. Benjamin Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. 

Owned by Lauren Palius
Last updated: Aug 08, 2024

The Gerald R. & Vicki S. Benjamin Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. has provided us with a generous financial gift for the purpose of offering financial assistance to students who choose a study away experience with the Newhouse LA program. The award is designed to help with some of the increased costs, such as housing and transportation, and is based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need and the criteria set forth by the Newhouse LA Semester program.  Students applying for the BENJAMIN FAMILY AWARD must:

  • Be a full time Syracuse University student

  • Have a current GPA of 3.0 or more

  • Be accepted and participate as a fulltime student in the Newhouse LA program for the semester to which you applied

    • 12 credits for fall and spring semesters

    • 6 credits for summer semesters

    • To apply, submit:

      • A 500-word essay explaining how this monetary award will help you to better meet your financial obligations while participating in the Newhouse LA program
        • Essay should be double spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman, with 1 inch margins and include your name and SU ID #.
      • An itemized budget outlining the costs you anticipate incurring for housing, transportation, program fees, food, personal expenses, etc
        • This should be in Excel
        • Include back-up to prove your expenses for housing and transportation only. (This is only for transportation around Los Angeles (i.e. car rental, fee to ship car, rideshare).) This could be a receipt, car rental agreement, housing lease, or screengrab from website (i.e. Enterprise or Airbnb).


Spring 2025: Apply to Lauren Palius at lppalius@syr.edu by Friday, October 25 at 10:00 AM PT/ 1:00 PM ET

If an award is received, the recipient must send a thank you note to the Benjamin family explaining how the gift positively impacted your study away experience in LA.

The award will be part of your overall financial aid package and is received via the awardees’ Syracuse University Bursar account. If you have any questions as to how this aid may affect your current financial aid package, please consult your financial aid advisor.