Right now, talented young men and women are deciding where to attend college. For many, that decision will rely in large part on the financial aid they are offered.

When members of the Class of 2015 arrive at the Heights, they will come from every state and more than 60 countries. They will be excellent students with broad interests and curious minds—and more than two-thirds of them will receive financial aid.

By empowering seven out of 10 students to attend BC, financial aid donors have a tremendous impact on the University and its students. Many find that the impact goes both ways. As they receive letters from their scholars or meet them at Fr. Leahy's annual scholarship dinner in the spring, donors often develop relationships with their students that last for years.

BC community members can make a difference by creating endowed funds and by contributing annually to financial aid—both are vital to meeting the University’s commitment to open its doors to all deserving students.

Endowed gifts provide the University with permanent resources devoted exclusively to financial aid. Endowed funds generate income in perpetuity that each year underwrites a specific student’s financial aid package.

With a contribution of $250,000, a fully endowed scholarship can be named and directed to support a student from any region of the country in a particular school, sport, or area of study. These funds create an enduring tribute to the mission of Boston College by supporting students now and for generations to come.

On the other hand, annual gifts fill an immediate need. The University’s undergraduate financial aid budget has increased dramatically—35 percent over the last five years. Endowment alone cannot support that level of growth. Annual gifts directly aid today's students and thus are crucial to achieving the Boston College mission.

With an annual contribution of $25,000, a donor can establish a named scholarship for one year—with the entire gift applied to a student's financial aid package in the year it is received. Donors can give to the BC Fund Scholars Program to provide aid for a deserving undergraduate or support the Flynn Fund Scholar-Athlete Program, funding a single student-athlete in any school or athletics program of the donor's choice. With either option, benefactors can be assured that their gifts will have a lasting effect on a student's life.

Learn more about supporting financial aid at www.bc.edu/alumni/invest.