Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2018

Every week, news out of Northwestern—whether it’s a breakthrough discovery, hard-fought athletic victory, or student accolade—gives University alumni and friends a feeling of Purple Pride. As the class of 2022 takes shape and prepares to join the Northwestern community this fall, the Leadership Circle celebrates continued support for scholarship funding.

As part of an overall effort to expand access to a Northwestern education for the best students regardless of their financial circumstances, in 2016, President Morton Schapiro announced a University priority to have 20 percent of the entering class be eligible for Federal Pell Grants by the year 2020. Awarded to students from low-income families, Pell Grants are an important marker of an institution’s socioeconomic diversity. Currently 19 percent of undergraduate students in the class of 2021 are Pell-eligible, bringing Northwestern within reach of its goal for 2020 and positioning the University as a leader among its peers.

Another reason to be proud is that, over a five-year period, Northwestern boosted financial aid for undergraduates by more than 35 percent to approximately $174 million in 2017–18. Funds for the additional financial assistance have come from gifts to the University, endowment earnings, and other sources.

Sheila and Tom Letscher, the proud parents of four Northwestern students and alumni—Dan ’17, Samantha ’18, Sarah ’20, and Abby ’22—say they are grateful that the University’s values, as expressed through its strategic financial aid initiatives, align so closely with their own. “We appreciate that the University has focused its efforts not only on low-income families and students but also on middle-class families and students,” says Sheila Letscher. “Student loan debt can crush a student’s dreams, and we are grateful that Northwestern has broadened the group of students who can graduate from the University debt-free.”

Northwestern is one of a relatively small number of colleges and universities that is “need-blind” in admissions, meaning it considers students without taking into account their ability to pay. Currently, 62 percent of undergraduates receive financial assistance, and that number is expected to grow in the coming years. Special funds like the Margo Brown Northwestern Student Emergency Fund, which the Letschers support, are available to those facing unexpected financial crises. This fund helps cover unpredictable costs like replacing a winter coat or flying home for a family funeral.

“As Northwestern continues to expand the socioeconomic diversity of its students, we believe that funds like these are critical to ensuring that once a student joins the NU community, they remain and prosper,” says Tom Letscher.