VOLUME 23 #2

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$3 million gift to help 150 needy Delaware students

OUR UD | The Give Something Back Foundation (GSBF) donated $3 million to the University earlier this summer to provide 150 of the most-needy Delaware students with the opportunity to graduate from UD debt-free.

“If you come from the right places, you go to the right places,” said GSBF Founder Bob Carr, referring to studies that identify family wealth as the greatest predictor of a child’s likelihood of college. “We want to change that. We want to prevent kids from giving up on college before they even reach high school.”

GSBF, based in Lockport, Ill. with an office in Princeton, New Jersey, selected UD because of its Commitment to Delawareans. The Commitment pledges to meet the full demonstrated financial need of Delaware students and limit their loans to just 25 percent of the cost of a degree. Since implementing the financial component in 2009, UD has provided more than $44 million in institutional aid to support Delaware students. In FY15, UD awarded over $13 million in institutional scholarship aid to in-state residents.

The Give Something Back Foundation’s program, which begins in the 9th grade, employs well-established practices that help students transition to and succeed in college and graduate in four years. The first beneficiaries of the gift will be ninth graders this fall who will matriculate at the University in 2019.

The foundation’s high school program is well aligned with UD programs oriented to student college transition and success for low-income, first-generation and minority students, including the Christina Readiness Scholars Institute, McNair Scholars Program and Get Ahead.

“This program will make a life-changing difference for 150 Delawareans, who will benefit from a tremendous gift—the gift of zero debt,” said President Emeritus Patrick Harker. “We are proud and grateful to be a partner in this mission.”

GSBF is looking for volunteers who can provide academic mentorship and support to the high school students selected for the program.

Blue Hens interested in such volunteer opportunities are encouraged to contact themessenger@udel.edu.

 

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