Chicago Varsity gets $13 million grant

NEW DELHI: The University of Chicago is receiving a $13-million donation to enrich cultural and social diversity and to raise financial aid for students who are not eligible for tuition support when applying to US universities.

The $13-million gift is from the Neubauer Family Foundation —a brainchild of Joseph Neubauer, who is also the trustee of the university and an MBA graduate from the university’s Booth School of Business.

The Neubauer No Barriers Scholarships will create opportunities for international students from families with lower or moderate financial capacity, who are typically ineligible for American financial aid. Successful applicants will receive tuition support over four years.

The gift will support Indian students who cannot otherwise afford to attend the university. “Not only will they (gifted students) be empowered by a University of Chicago education…but they will enrich aspects of intellectual, cultural and social life at the campus, and thereby the educational experiences of all,” president Robert J Zimmer said in a statement.

The foundation will also support a new programme, in which talented US high school students will be identified in partnerships with guidance counsellors and advisors in Latino and Hispanic communities.

Selected candidates will be invited to visit campus for overnight college experience programmes.