Opportunity Vanderbilt
Clark Charitable Foundation makes $15 million gift to establish Clark Scholars Program at School of Engineering
Resources
Scholarship Recipients
Christopher Huerta, Class of 2019
Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy Scholarship
Chandler Barnes, Class of 2018
Vanderbilt Aid Society Scholarship
Will Bell, Class of 2017
Martino Scholarship
Jacqueline Machesky, Class of 2017
Schiff Family Scholarship
Rachel Pellegrino, Class of 2017
Kibler Family Scholarship
Connie Ge, Class of 2018
Heidtke/McAleer Family Scholarship
Zach Ferguson, Class of 2017
D. Craig Nordlund and Sally Baum Nordlund Scholarship in Arts and Science
Vanderbilt has boldly replaced all need-based undergraduate student loans with scholarship and grant assistance.
New scholarship gifts are essential to sustaining this commitment. This initiative, called Opportunity Vanderbilt, is helping to ensure that young people of every background can attend Vanderbilt, creating a dynamic learning community that benefits every student. The university's decision to replace need-based loans with scholarship support gives talented Vanderbilt undergraduates opportunities to consider career choices and educational dreams without the prospect of significant debt. Generous donors have risen to the challenge, making gifts and pledges that have exceeded $250 million for undergraduate scholarship endowment.
There is still more to be done to support the full financial aid needs of our talented students. In scholarship endowment, Vanderbilt still ranks far below many of its peer institutions. About 64 percent of Vanderbilt undergraduates received financial aid last year. To secure the future of this program, we need to shift the costs of it from the operating budget to a larger endowment.
Working together through Opportunity Vanderbilt, we are strengthening and growing our undergraduate scholarship endowment, creating new opportunities for Vanderbilt today and for future generations of talented students.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why does Vanderbilt need more scholarships?
Vanderbilt seeks to give highly talented students access to our distinctive undergraduate education, regardless of their socioeconomic status or ability to pay. Scholarships are essential to creating and sustaining the dynamic mix of students that contributes to the best possible living and learning environment for each and every student.
Starting in fall 2009, the university eliminated need-based loans in financial aid packages, replacing them with grants and scholarships. To ensure the ongoing success of this endeavor, Vanderbilt must continually grow the scholarship endowment. Scholarship endowment allows Vanderbilt to continue its commitment to need-blind admissions and to provide greater opportunities for talented students who cannot afford the full cost to attend Vanderbilt. This will enable Vanderbilt to continue educating engaged local and global citizens and leaders and fuel Vanderbilt's ongoing advancement as one of the world's leading universities.
-
What is Opportunity Vanderbilt?
Opportunity Vanderbilt supports the university's commitment to replace need-based undergraduate student loans with grants and scholarships. To sustain this commitment over the long term, Vanderbilt must increase its scholarship endowment to ensure that tomorrow's talented students can achieve their dreams of a Vanderbilt education.
While more than $200 million has been raised for undergraduate scholarship endowment since 2008, Vanderbilt is not yet at the level of many of its peer institutions.
Scholarship gifts to Opportunity Vanderbilt will ensure Vanderbilt remains competitive in attracting highly capable young people whose families and backgrounds put them in the largest demographic of future students—those who will need some financial aid to attend Vanderbilt. And gifts for scholarship through Opportunity Vanderbilt are an investment in the belief that Vanderbilt has a vital role in educating the talented leaders, within a community of young men and women distinguished in achievement, eager to learn, and diverse in background, experience and perspective.
-
Why is it so important to replace loans with scholarships and grant assistance?
Substantial debt for new college graduates can limit their potential. The prospect of repaying student loans can lead some accepted students to decline their offer of admission from Vanderbilt, even when Vanderbilt was their first choice. Also, undergraduate students with significant loan debt will often abandon dreams of future studies in graduate or professional school, or forego particular career choices. The need to pay off need-based student loans can become a real barrier to a desire to teach, or practice medicine in an underserved community, or work in a nonprofit or service agency—among many other career choices.
It is important to note that this initiative to replace need-based undergraduate loans does not make Vanderbilt cost-free. While Vanderbilt is replacing these loans with scholarships and grants in financial aid packages, there will continue to be an expected family contribution for most students. Some families will meet this contribution with loans. Likewise, some students may choose to take out loans to replace the work-study portion of their financial aid packages.
-
Is there a minimum amount required to support scholarships and Opportunity Vanderbilt?
Gifts of any size can be directed toward support for scholarships and financial aid—and are greatly appreciated.
To endow and name a specific scholarship fund, a gift or pledge of at least $100,000 is required. Other gifts of any amount can be directed to pooled funds that provide support for scholarships and financial aid.
For questions about scholarship gifts, contact Randy Smith at (615) 343-4475 or randall.w.smith@vanderbilt.edu.
-
Opportunity Vanderbilt is targeting increased need-based undergraduate scholarship endowment.
What about scholarships and scholarship endowment for Vanderbilt's graduate and professional schools?While gifts and pledges through Opportunity Vanderbilt are for undergraduate scholarships, Vanderbilt's need for scholarships certainly extends to students pursuing graduate and professional studies in its schools and colleges, as well as students in the Divinity School, the Vanderbilt Law School, the Owen Graduate School of Management, and the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.
To learn more about supporting scholarships for students at Vanderbilt's graduate and professional schools, contact Randy Smith at (615) 343-4475 or randall.w.smith@vanderbilt.edu.
-
How many undergraduates benefit from an endowed scholarship?
As with all endowment gifts, the annual endowment payout (currently 4.5 percent) on a scholarship gift provides student support. The gift's principal remains in the endowment, so it can continue to benefit students for generations to come. The chart below provides a general outline of the number of students who are generally supported by endowed scholarship gifts at different levels, based on students' financial need.
Gift Level
Description
Estimated Annual
Endowment Payout$ 100,000 Helps support 1 scholar each year $ 4,000 to $ 4,500 $ 300,000 Helps support 1-2 scholars each year $12,500 to $15,000 $ 600,000 Helps support 1-3 scholars each year $25,000 to $30,000 $1,000,000 Helps support 1-5 scholars each year $40,000 to $45,000 -
How will Vanderbilt manage gifts and pledges for scholarship endowment through Opportunity Vanderbilt?
Gifts and pledges to support scholarships through Opportunity Vanderbilt are invested in the university's endowment. Vanderbilt's endowment is a permanent fund made up of gifts to the university that are pooled and invested together. In accordance with the university's spending guidelines, 4.5 percent of the endowment's average market value for the prior three years is distributed for the purposes designated by each donor. Investment goals are formulated to earn returns over the long term that meet or exceed amounts distributed plus inflation; therefore, a gift to Opportunity Vanderbilt is expected to constantly renew and rejuvenate itself in perpetuity. The generosity of today's donors has a positive impact on the university—not only for this generation, but for decades to come.
For questions and additional information:
For questions, contact Randy Smith at (615) 343-4475 or randall.w.smith@vanderbilt.edu.
Recent news
Scholarship brings Bridgette Brown home
Clark Charitable Foundation makes $15M gift to establish Clark Scholars Program at School of Engineering
Love at first sightWays to Give
Every Gift Makes a Vital Difference.
- Online
To make your gift online, use our secure online gift form.
Vanderbilt accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.
- Telephone
To make a gift by telephone,
call 1-866-882-FUND (3863). - Mail
To mail your gift, print our giving form to include with your check, credit card payment or money order.
Mail your gift to:
Gift and Donor Services
Vanderbilt University
PMB 407727
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7727 - Electronic Bank Draft
To set up an electronic bank draft,
call 1-866-882-FUND (3863) or use our printable electronic bank draft form. - Stocks and Securities
To request information on transferring gifts of stocks and securities click here.
Please email or call (615) 875-1155
with any questions. - Planned Gifts
Learn more about planned giving opportunities here.
- Matching Gifts
Many employers have matching gift programs that could double or even triple your gift.
Learn more about matching gifts here
or call 1-866-882-FUND (3863). - Donor Advised Fund
If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to Vanderbilt University, directly from your DAF (as long as your DAF's sponsoring organization is participating). Learn more here.
Why I Give
Tell why you give to Vanderbilt.
-
“We give to Vanderbilt because of the extraordinary experience it is giving our son. A phenomenal education, outstanding professors, lifelong friendships and a desire to give back to his community. We couldn't ask for more. We look forward to our son being able to give back to Vanderbilt...forever.”
–Immy Mullin, Current Vanderbilt parent
-
“Vanderbilt gave me so much—an education, friends, work experience, mentors and lifelong memories. Attending Vanderbilt may not have been a reality for me and many of my peers without the generosity of alumni who gave back. I give so others can experience an amazing university that's there to support student development with every resource possible. I give so that Vanderbilt can continue to provide quality education to diverse populations with unique and meaningful perspectives. I give so that Vanderbilt continues to train and develop leaders who will positively impact and shape our world. Vanderbilt gave me so much, now it's my turn.”
–Nick Hall, BS’13
-
“As the parent of a student who was blessed to attend Vanderbilt, I feel that it is my family's responsibility to give back. I give back for several reasons. First, while attending Vanderbilt, my daughter received a quality education, both in and out of the classroom. Next, it is my hope that by putting something back, someone else will be able to receive the same quality education. Finally, it is my way of saying, ‘thanks’.”
-Leadrester Granger, Parent of Vanderbilt alumna
-
“I value the education I received at Vanderbilt as both an undergraduate and graduate student. I have always loved my university and have supported it as I could throughout the years. The friendships, the fun at sports events, the sorority activities, and alumni events are a cherished part of my life. Thanks so much!”
-Bonnie Seay, BA’66, MA’80
Connect with Vanderbilt