New scholarship initiatives increase affordability of quality Baldwin Wallace education

A new community-based scholarship initiative, along with a free program that allows high school students to start building a scholarship fund as early as ninth grade, will increase the affordability of a quality Baldwin Wallace University education for students at all income levels.

BW announced the community-based awards at a September 16 launch event with the Boy Scouts of America, Lake Erie Council, one of five organizations eligible for the BW program, which also features the Girls Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, Esperanza and Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.).

The award availability begins with first-year students entering BW in fall 2020.

New scholarship pathways

"This partnership, with a select group of Northeast Ohio organizations that are preparing our young people to live productive, fulfilling and service-oriented lives, is designed to strengthen the capability of these students to gain access to a high-quality college education," said BW President Bob Helmer.

"Baldwin Wallace has a longstanding commitment to affordable excellence," added Scott Schulz, BW Vice President for Enrollment Management. "We continue to develop new financial aid pathways that keep a BW education within reach for all qualified students, including first-generation students and students from underserved populations."

'Raise Me' partnership

To that end, BW also announced a new partnership with RaiseMe, which rewards high school students for good grades, sports, extracurriculars and other achievements.

Each action or activity earns a "micro-scholarship" that builds to as much as $12,000 per year toward a BW education and naturally prepares a student for college success.

Easy application

The new scholarship options broaden the financial aid opportunities for students from all backgrounds. Students receive the higher total of either their RaiseMe scholarship account or their community-based award or their BW academic merit scholarship (or equivalent).

Students do not need to submit an additional application for the community-based scholarship. They simply list their involvement with the organization on their BW application and provide a letter of reference from the community organization to be considered.