As part of its ongoing commitment to recruit and support low-income students, Washington University in St. Louis has joined QuestBridge, a leading nonprofit that connects high-achieving, low-income students to the nation’s best colleges.
Starting this fall, high school students may apply to Washington University through QuestBridge’s National College Match program. Similar to the medical residency match system, QuestBridge pairs candidates and colleges based on their preferences. Once in college, students receive ongoing support and opportunities from QuestBridge.
“We are very excited to join QuestBridge, which has a proven track record of helping talented, low-income students navigate the college application process,” said Ronné Turner, vice provost of admissions. “QuestBridge and Washington University share a common belief that talented students should have access to higher education regardless of their financial background.”
National College Match participants typically rank in the top 10 percent of their graduation class and hail from families with a household income of $65,000 or less. Since 2003, the QuestBridge National College Match has successfully connected over 5,000 students with full scholarships to college partners. Partner universities include 40 of the nation’s top universities and colleges including Princeton, Duke, Yale, Northwestern and Williams. The QuestBridge Scholars Network now includes over 12,000 current students and alumni nationally.
QuestBridge is one of many organizations Washington University has partnered with to reach low-income students. Other programs include Chicago Scholars, LEDA, Say Yes to Education and Target H.O.P.E
Washington University also recently has launched new scholarship opportunities to support low-income prospective students, including:
- The KIPP College Partnership, for admitted alumni of KIPP, a nationwide network of charter schools that serves low-income students.
- College Prep Scholarship, for admitted graduates of Washington University’s College Prep Program, a multiyear program that prepares low-income and first-generation students from the St. Louis area for life on a college campus.
- Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University, which is on track to raise at least $500 million in new scholarship dollars.
- Raise.me, which rewards low-income high school students for good grades, extracurricular activities and community service with scholarship dollars — up to $10,000 a year.
Once Pell grant-eligible students arrive at Washington University, they receive ongoing support through the Office of Student Success and its Deneb STARS program as well as other initiatives.
To read more about Washington University’s efforts to support K-12 students, visit The Pipeline.
Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.