Northwestern University has received $3.9 million in gifts to provide extra support to low-income and first-generation students.
The university’s Division of Student Affairs received a $2.4 million gift from Gita Blumentals Budd and J. Mark Budd, and a $1.5 million gift from Steven A. and Tracy Tappan Cahillane to provide programming and financial assistance to students in need.
The gifts will provide stipends to students who pursue unpaid summer internships.
“Through their generous philanthropy, the Budd and Cahillane families are lighting the path for our low-income and first-generation undergraduate students, whose limited financial resources might otherwise prevent them from experiencing all Northwestern has to offer,” said Patricia Telles-Irvin, vice president for Student Affairs
Out of the total donated amount, $2.7 million will be spent on Student Enrichment Services that offers unique programming and provides qualified students with various supports thus making education affordable and accessible. The remaining $1.2 million will be used to provide stipends under the Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP).
“Gifts to Student Enrichment Services help students be students first,” said Kourtney Cockrell, director of Student Enrichment Services.
“With this support, students now and for generations to come will be able to engage in the full Northwestern experience alongside their friends and classmates without worrying about the financial tradeoffs,” she added.