Gifts for Scholarships
"It still gives me chills to think that last year I thought being here
was nothing more than a dream, but it turned into a dream come true."
– Gate of Opportunity Scholar Darren Barnet
Student need for financial assistance continues to expand as the economy remains weak and the unemployment rate remains high. In 2009-10 Berry awarded more than $19.3 million in institutional financial aid, up more than $1 million from the previous year. More than 96 percent of Berry students received some form of aid; a full 65 percent received need-based aid.
Donors were exceptionally generous in supporting scholarship assistance for students, providing $5.2 million in outright and planned gifts. Fourteen new expendable scholarships and 14 new endowed scholarships are now benefitting Berry students, and many existing scholarships were enhanced. One very special highlight: Audrey Morgan made an additional $1 million commitment to the Audrey B. Morgan Gate of Opportunity Scholarship.
Gate of Opportunity Scholarships are a popular new way to support students willing to work their way through college. Each scholarship represents a partnership between the student and family, Berry, and a donor or group of donors with a strong belief in Berry’s mission. Each partner covers approximately one-third of the cost of the student’s education. The student’s portion is generated through extensive participation in the Work Experience Program (plus federal aid or a small family contribution), the donor contribution comes through income from an endowed or annually expendable Gate of Opportunity Scholarship fund.
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