Inspire Scholarship

When we say “welcoming all to the Nest,” we acknowledge that together, we are responsible for moving the Endicott community toward becoming a stronger reflection of our diverse, globalized, interconnected world. Our sense of belonging is what makes the Endicott community strong and we strive to instill that sense by respecting all identities based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sexuality, gender identity, learning style, (dis)ability status, religious and spiritual tradition, socioeconomic standing, age, and worldview.

The Inspire Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving, first-generation students, who are the first in their families to pursue dreams of higher education. Scholarships play a critical role in welcoming students to Endicott from every community, culture, and walk of life. Over 92% of our traditional undergraduates receive institutional financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. While we’ve worked hard to support our students and their families, there’s more we can do to ensure that finances are not an obstacle for our prospective students.

The Challenges:

• According to a report by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, low-income first-generation students are more likely to have unmet financial need and to take on more debt to pay for college.
• Focused financial and social support is critical to helping first-generation students persist and thrive. First-generation students seeking a bachelor’s degree have a 23.5% higher dropout rate, according to a 2022 report released by education data.org.
• Balancing multiple priorities creates additional pressure—according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, many first-generation college students work part-time or full-time jobs while attending school.

The Endicott experience provides solutions:

• According to the Bureau of Labor, gaining a bachelor’s degree increases a student’s earning potential and grants increased access to a wide range of job opportunities.
• 98% percent of Endicott College graduates in 21–22 reported that they were employed full-time or part-time, volunteering, serving in the armed forces, or continuing education. 66% were employed full-time within 12 months of graduating.
• Your contributions are critical to helping first-generation students overcome financial, academic, cultural, social, mental, and emotional challenges.

Your support of the Inspire Scholarship makes it possible for prospective students to say “yes” to Endicott. It sets them on the path of self-discovery, affording them all the benefits of Endicott’s liberal arts, experience-based curriculum—from academic and research exposure, to internships and entrepreneurship challenges, to study abroad adventures, athletic opportunities, performing arts experiences, and more.

When you invest in the Inspire Scholarship, you make Endicott a better place. Endicott deeply values the unique perspectives that our students bring to campus. Your support of the Inspire Scholarship expands our horizons beyond our own experiences, encourages us to find creative and innovative solutions to complex problems, and ignites our passion for pursuing excellence in all that we do.

Your contributions ensure that prospective students have the resources they need to not only belong, but also to excel at Endicott College. Faculty, staff, and fellow students make our community a place where all can achieve their goals—from the Center for Belonging, which celebrates all students' identities and perspectives; to the Wellness Center, which provides physical and mental health care; to the Career & Internship Center, which gives students tools to succeed beyond the classroom, and much more.

The Inspire Scholarship is a key funding priority of Spread Your Wings: The Campaign for Endicott College. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the Inspire Scholarship, contact Sydney Riu, Administrative Coordinator, Institutional Advancement, at sriu@endicott.edu or 978-232-2374.