U.Va., William and Mary get scholarship boosts

Two initiatives designed to help make college more affordable have received financial boosts.

The University of Virginia today announced it has received $1 million for scholarships to help older students complete their degrees. The award from the Bernard Osher Foundation will aid students working on their first bachelor's degrees after having been out of school for at least five years. The Osher Reentry Scholarships, worth up to $5,000, will help 10 to 20 students annually at U.Va.

Last week, the College of William and Mary board of visitors said the Gateway endowed fund for need-based aid has reached $10.7 million. The board of visitors last spring announced an initiative to increase the endowment to $10 million by the end of the year and pledged $1 million of personal funds to be used for a dollar-for-dollar match.

Since then, commitments to the program have included $150,000 from the Christopher Wren Association, a life-long learning institute based at the college, and nearly $60,000 from Gateway Guardians, a newly formed group of faculty and staff members. Both commitments will be matched by funds from members of the board of visitors.

Gateway William & Mary is designed to help Virginia students whose household income is $40,000 or less. More than 200 students this year received funds under the program, now in its third year.