Congratulations to Jean Altidor, class of 2022 as a recipients to the Urban Scholarship! The Urban Scholars Initiative (USI) helps first-generation and low-income college students realize their human potential by supporting their financial, academic, and emotional needs while they are matriculating at Lesley University. Most of our Urban Scholars are the first in their families to go to college. Potential is not defined by one's socioeconomic status. Therefore, the Urban Scholars Initiative provides tuition assistance, tutoring, and mentoring to enable students to graduate from college with modest or no loan debt. ​​​​​​​Students accepted into the program receive financial, academic, and emotional support to meet the demands of college.

Urban Scholars Initiative (USI) Benefits:

• Tuition discount of 50% off Lesley tuition each year for four years 

• Book stipend to minimize the cost of textbooks.

• Opportunities for additional scholarships to decrease costs 

• Advising to set goals and expectations, and to assess progress

• Monthly seminars 

• Academic support such as tutoring

• Career-oriented internships to gain hands-on experience

Over the past few years, three Creative Design seniors have earned the competitive four-year merit based scholarship from Lesley University College of Art & Design (LUCAD). This scholarship was initiated in 2007 for scholars meeting rigorous academic criteria, with preference given to scholars demonstrating a strong design portfolio, commitment to community, and public service. These merit based full year scholarships are for full tuition and fees, along with a book stipend, for four years of study, and are awarded annually through a selection process from a pool of candidates. 

• Maxwell Berger, Class of 2021

• Melissa Grajeda, Class of 2013

• Angela McKenzie, Class of 2011 

• Jean Coletta Hodges, Class of 2009