UW-Madison: $44 million raised for scholarships

Contact: Ben Corey, 608-308-5139
benjamin.corey@supportuw.org

Great People Scholarship Program raises $44 million to help low-income students

MADISON – The Great People Scholarship matching gift initiative has raised $44 million to help low-income students pursue their education at UW-Madison, the University of Wisconsin Foundation announced today.

The initiative began in 2008 when the UW Foundation Board of Directors allocated $20 million to match donor gift funds for need-based scholarships. By the time the matching phase ended in late 2015, more than 21,000 alumni, friends and parents had donated $24 million, creating a total of $44 million in support for students.

In 2015, 575 students received aid through the scholarship. Forty-one percent of last year’s Great People Scholarship recipients were first-generation college students. Since its launch, the program has provided more than 1,900 students with crucial financial assistance, with each recipient receiving at least $2,000. Eligibility for the scholarship is determined solely on the basis of financial need.

Students like freshman Elisha Ikhumhen of Milwaukee know how vital the Great People Scholarship program is. Ikhumhen and his family moved to the U.S. from Nigeria in 2004 and he decided to attend UW-Madison after visiting campus. His goal is to become a physical therapist and eventually set up a sports clinic in Nigeria to help people with limited means recover from injuries.

Read more at http://news.wisc.edu/great-people-scholarship-program-raises-44-million-to-help-low-income-students/?utm_source=news-release&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news-release-short