Hobart and William Smith Colleges

SCHOLARSHIPS and FINANCIAL AID

A life-changing opportunity.

FINANCIAL AID ENABLES students to focus on their academic pursuits, engage fully in campus life, and plan for their future without the kind of debt that influences career and life decisions. And HWS is committed to offering that opportunity to every student.

“We want to amplify our ability to attract and educate students of character and potential — and critically, to meet their talents and abilities with financial aid that addresses their needs,” says Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid Michael Quinn. “Scholarships and grants help our students pursue their academic aspirations unfettered, which in turn frees them to leverage their education to make a positive impact in the world.”

With an ambitious goal of $145 million, campaign funding toward financial aid will more than double HWS’ ability to support students in response to each family’s unique situation.

FUELING ACADEMIC EXPLORATION

Scholarships power academic opportunity and community connection. Thanks to financial aid, students with diverse interests and backgrounds can take full advantage of everything HWS offers, from astounding summer research to career-launching internships to lifelong friendships. The resulting insights and relationships are strengthened during events like Homecoming and Family Weekend, when students connect with families, friends and alumni while presenting research on everything from extreme weather to public art.

AINSLEY WOODS ’24

Sally Howe Ph.D. ’67 Endowed Scholarship
With endowed scholarship support, Ainsley Woods ’24 embraced the wide range of opportunities available at HWS — as a STEM Scholar, a Writing Colleague and a member of the William Smith Cross Country Team. Her summer internship at Mastercard led to a role as an associate consultant after graduation. Woods says the HWS Alumni Network was “a great resource” as she pursued her professional goals and “played a big role in my decision to accept my offer.”

MATT BRAND ’24

John T. McCarthy ‘34 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
After a summer internship with Citigroup’s Global Wealth Management Division, Matthew Brand ’24 returned to Citi’s Manhattan offices after graduation as a private banking analyst. “HWS is a special place with special people who want to ensure the success of their students in all areas of life. I am so thankful that I chose HWS and have taken full advantage of everything it has to offer,” Brand says. “There is no limit on one’s success coming from a place like this, and no student should be afraid to dream big and bet on themselves.”

ALEXANDRA DAVIDSON ’24

Securing the Middle Class Scholarship
Biochemistry major Alexandra Davidson ’24 spent two summers as a researcher at Cornell AgriTech’s plant pathology labs. Studying fire blight, which can decimate Finger Lakes’ fruit crops, Davidson coauthored a study revealing how ultraviolet light suppresses the bacteria that causes the disease. She says the experience was “super valuable… it’s taught me about patience when an experiment doesn’t turn out the way you expected, and it’s taught me the value of hard work.”

BIRUK NARDOS ABEBE ‘25

Dr. Harold C. ’56 and Mrs. Donna C. ’57 Britt Endowed Scholarship in Physics
Biruk Nardos Abebe ’25 has been developing a research project exploring “water world” exoplanets, combining his interests in physics, astronomy and computer science. In January, he presented his findings at the American Astronomical Society conference in New Orleans where he had the chance to network with other scientists and explore grad school and career possibilities. “HWS has been instrumental in providing me with the resources, mentorship and opportunities that have allowed me to thrive in my academic pursuit and I am proud to represent HWS as I move forward in the world of science and discovery,” he says.

MAKING AN IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

The latest gift from Honorary Trustee Katherine D. Elliott ’66, L.H.D. ’08 and Richard S. Abramson provides an historic $5.5M in support for need-based financial aid. Elliott says that “supporting higher education means that more young people have access to opportunities, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

“We want to create an opportunity for others to benefit from what we believe is a fabulous foundation for life — a liberal arts education,” says Board Chair Craig R. Stine ’81, P’17. Together with his wife, Kathy Hay Stine P’17, Stine has established the Stine Family Endowed Scholarship for need-based, academically qualified students.

J. Reeve Bright ’70, P’89 and his family are paying tribute to the lifelong friendships forged at Hobart and William Smith with the creation of the Bright Family Endowed Scholarship. The $1.2M commitment will support financial aid for academically and financially deserving students.

Former Trustee James F. Anderton IV ’65 inspired HWS alums and friends to commit to Hobart and William Smith’s future by leveraging his $1M gift into even more support for student scholarships and financial aid. Thanks to the Anderton Challenge, 12 additional endowed scholarships will be established through bequests.

FINANCIAL AID AT A GLANCE

99% of HWS first-year students receive some form of financial aid or scholarship

HWS awarded more than $70 MILLION in scholarships and grants for the 2023-24 academic year

On average, HWS meets 84.4% of a student’s demonstrated financial need