Together, we empower students
Scholarships are essential in removing financial obstacles to higher education and making a top-quality Davenport University education accessible to more students. Foundation scholarships attract and support talented students who need financial aid, giving them the opportunity to earn their degrees and build meaningful careers.
Creating a scholarship allows donors to directly support student success. Named scholarship contributions can be made through single gifts or multi-year commitments, and selection criteria can be tailored to the donor’s passions or priorities, such as supporting students in a specific academic program, geographic area, or career field. Once established, scholarships can be renewed each year for students who maintain good academic standing.
Click here for a complete listing of Foundation Scholarships
Type of scholarships
Named annual scholarships
Starting at $10,000
An annual scholarship awards the full amount of the gift directly to students each year. This type of scholarship offers immediate impact and lets donors support students with commitments as low as $2,000 annually.
Annual scholarships are a great way for donors to start supporting students immediately while making a significant impact on access to education.
Named endowed scholarships
Starting at $25,000
An endowed scholarship leaves a lasting legacy by offering support to students each year in perpetuity. When a gift is endowed, it is invested through the Davenport University Endowment Fund. Each year, about 4–5% of the fund's average market value is distributed as scholarship support, while the principal remains invested.
Endowed scholarships ensure long-term sustainability and guarantee that a donor’s investment continues to benefit Davenport students for generations to come.
Scholarship impact at Davenport University
Foundation scholarships significantly improve students’ ability to access and complete their education.
Scholarship impact:
- $1,018,104 in Foundation scholarship dollars awarded
- 59% of undergraduate students receive scholarship support
- 528 students receive Foundation scholarships
- 43% of scholarship recipients are first-generation college students
These scholarships enable students to focus on their academic and career aspirations rather than financial worries.
*Based on fall 2025 data
Scholarships can change lives
Why Donors Give
Many donors choose to establish scholarships to create opportunities for future generations of students.
“Giving students access to education is one way my family has always given back to Davenport. As alumni, we wanted to leave a legacy through our endowed scholarship and help students graduate with less debt.”
Bill ('78) and Rochelle ('78) Lettinga
William and Rochelle Lettinga Endowed Scholarship
Establish a scholarship
Your gift can help remove financial barriers and open doors for the next generation of Davenport students.
To learn more about establishing a scholarship, please contact:
Office of Advancement
advancement@davenport.edu
616.233.3412
Not ready to start your own named scholarship at Davenport University? A gift of any amount to the General Scholarship Fund will help students striving to reach their goals.