Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | November 2025

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

The bottom line

Assessing the need

In their own words

Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, the vice president of public aairs at Rice University, said some growth is also due to the 2024 launch of the university’s new strategic plan, Momentous. “We’ve been following a clear path for how to strengthen what we do best and expand our impact—all while preserving what makes Rice special,” she said. “The plan lays out a vision for Rice to be a global leader in teaching and research.” DesRoches said he has also seen growth in student capacity, hiring, new research partnerships and advancement in health, sustainability and technology. “We recognize there’s still much work ahead,” he said. “Scaling thoughtfully, advancing major capital projects and achieving our most ambitious research goals will take time. But we move forward with humility and condence.”

Rice executives partly chalk up the ramped-up interest to The Rice Investment, a nancial aid pro- gram launched in 2019 to help families cover costs. According to the university’s website, in the 2023-24 academic year, nearly $152 million in grants was awarded, with more than half of Rice undergraduates receiving some aid. The school is anticipated to surpass $1.5 billion in nancial aid in the next ve years. Financial aid assistance The Rice Investment, the university’s signature nancial aid program, was launched in 2019 and awards grants to students based on their families household income.

“This progress reects more than just construction projects or policy shifts. It represents a shared commitment across our faculty, sta, students, alumni

and leadership to imagine boldly and act decisively.” REGINALD DESROCHES, RICE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

“As we grow, we’re being intentional about protecting things that dene Rice—our close community, the accessibility of our faculty, the personal attention received

Income level

Type of aid

Full tuition, fees, room and board

and our culture of care.” MELINDA SPAULDING CHEVALIER, RICE UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

$75,000 and below

$75,000 to $140,000 $140,000 to $200,000 $200,000 to $300,000

Full tuition Half tuition

Other assistance

SOURCE: RICE UNIVERSITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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