Lawrence University in Appleton on Monday announced “Lawrence Advantage,” a program to use donated funds to “fully meet the demonstrated institutional need of students from Wisconsin and Illinois – the top two states represented among Lawrence’s incoming students,” according to a press release.
The program will begin with students admitted for Fall 2023.
In the release, Lawrence officials said the university “wants to ensure a path to our College of Arts and Sciences and Conservatory of Music for all students in the Wisconsin-Illinois corridor.”
Funded by donors who have contributed more than $95.1 million for new and endowed scholarships since January 2014, the Lawrence Advantage is the latest step in Lawrence University’s path toward becoming a full-need institution. For a student from Wisconsin or Illinois, the Lawrence Advantage will meet any remaining need not covered by scholarships, grants, federal loans, and student employment through a supplemental Lawrence grant for all four years of their college experience (or five years for students in the BA/BMus double degree program), according to the announcement. Covering this funding gap can be the difference for a student wanting to enroll at their preferred school and not wanting to take on additional debt. The average student debt for Lawrence graduates has already declined by more than $5,000 over the past six years thanks to incredible donor support.
“This is a celebratory moment,” University President Laurie Carter said in a statement. “Our generous donors have been so loyal, and this is the payoff.”
Carter called the Lawrence Advantage a major step forward as more students with limited resources will be able to attend Wisconsin’s No. 1-rated liberal arts college.
“This is being funded by alumni and friends of the university who want to pay it forward,” Carter said in a statement. “They are our incredible alumni who have gone on to be innovators and leaders all over the world. They want to give the next generation those same opportunities, the same advantage that comes with a Lawrence education.”
More information on the Lawrence Advantage is available on the university’s website.
