A Landmark Financial Aid Initiative for Trinity Students

September 14, 2022

Dear Trinity Community,

I am delighted to announce that Trinity College has been named one of five colleges by the Schuler Education Foundation to receive a $20 million grant to fund a landmark partnership that will raise $60 million to support more high achieving, low-income students enrolling at Trinity. Trinity joins Barnard College, Centre College, Scripps College, and the College of the Holy Cross as part of the second cohort of the Schuler Access Initiative.

This is a remarkable moment for our college as we look toward our bicentennial year. When this matching grant is completed, Trinity will become more accessible to deserving and talented students who come from families for whom affordability is a significant barrier. This initiative will change lives; it will open doors to individuals who may have thought that an outstanding liberal arts education was out of reach.

As part of this initiative, the Schuler Education Foundation will provide $20 million in current financial aid that will be spent over 10 years. The college will raise $40 million in matching funds to establish a permanent endowment both for financial aid and for a range of academic and co-curricular support programs for the participating students. The program will focus on students with the highest financial need, those who are eligible for Pell grants, and undocumented students. This effort also will advance the college toward its broader goal of raising more than $100 million for financial aid within the comprehensive campaign, which is now in its leadership phase.

By increasing access for these deserving students, we make Trinity better in every way as we educate bold, independent thinkers who lead extraordinary lives. We have the capacity to make a fundamental difference in the lives of these amazing students and in the lives of everyone who interacts with them. By capitalizing on this rare opportunity, we will make Trinity stronger and ultimately serve the public good.

Please join me in thanking the Schuler Education Foundation for this incredible opportunity! I encourage you to read about the Schuler Access Initiative matching gift challenge on the Trinity website.

Onward,

Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience