“Scholarships are more than a dollar value. Awarding a scholarship to a student says to them, ‘We believe in you,’” says Peggy Metzger, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Director of Financial Aid. “Through the generosity and partnership of our donors, scholarships pave the way for students to flourish and succeed and graduate to make the world a better place.”
In the 2024–25 academic year, 923 donor-funded scholarships were awarded to Humboldt students, a remarkable increase from 307 in 2015. This opens new doors for students to fully embrace their education and build brighter futures.
Behind that growth is a powerful combination of community generosity and momentum generated by the Boldly Rising Campaign, which raised nearly $60 million.
In the past year alone, donors have raised more than $2.5 million in additional endowments, increasing the amount awarded to students by more than $1.2 million.
Donors like Daniel Walker (‘74, Biology) and David Finkelstein (‘86, Computer Information Systems), along with many others, have expanded opportunities in areas ranging from chemistry to women’s athletics. Transformational gifts continue to shape what’s possible for Humboldt students.
These scholarships reflect a direct investment in students, with donors choosing to support areas they care about, from future teachers and business leaders to student-athletes and emerging researchers.
The impact is immediate and lasting.
Scholarships at Humboldt, ranging from $500 to $7,000 annually, help ease one of the biggest barriers students face: the cost of higher education. Many students make their college decision based on financial aid packages, and for some, a scholarship is the deciding factor between enrolling at Humboldt or not attending college at all.
Research published in the American Economic Review indicates that each additional $1,000 in scholarship aid increases the likelihood of enrollment for prospective students by approximately 2 to 3 percentage points. Additionally, data from a publication in the Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis shows that a $1,000 scholarship can enhance the likelihood of student retention by 1 to 2 percentage points. This single scholarship can be crucial; it may determine whether a student enrolls or not, and whether they continue their studies for another year or choose to leave.
Students who receive scholarships are more likely to stay enrolled, graduate on time, and take full advantage of hands-on learning opportunities. With reduced financial pressure, they can spend less time working long hours and more time in the classroom, the lab, or in the field.
Scholarships are especially impactful for first-generation college students, those from rural communities, and transfer students. These groups make up a significant portion of Humboldt’s student body. By reducing financial stress, scholarships help close opportunity gaps and expand access to education.
For second-year Fisheries Biology student Daphne Cheney, receiving her scholarships has been incredibly meaningful.
“There’s someone who was willing to put their hard-earned money towards my education when they don’t know me, they don’t know if I’m going to last a semester here, and they’re saying, ‘We’re willing to roll the dice on you.’ It feels like yet another reason to graduate and to do the things that I want to do. It feels like yet another person spending their time and money on me that they don’t have to. It is a lot to work and be in school. In my first semester, I didn’t have to work because I had scholarships,” Cheney says.
Humboldt’s commitment to scholarships is matched by careful stewardship. Each donor-funded scholarship is guided by a thoughtful process that aligns donor intent with student need and achievement, ensuring that every gift creates meaningful impact.
Named scholarships such as the Marie Jacobs Liebau Endowed Scholarship for Teaching, the Jim Yates Business Endowed Scholarship Fund, and the Pamela J. Kelley–Joyce M. West Scholarship Endowment ensure that these investments endure for generations.
As Humboldt continues to grow, scholarships play a critical role in supporting enrollment and student success. Applications for upcoming terms remain strong, and financial support is key to turning those applications into enrolled students and, eventually, graduates.
The need, however, remains significant. Financial challenges are still one of the leading reasons students drop out before completing their degrees. Continued support from donors helps ensure that more students not only arrive at Humboldt but thrive here.
Each scholarship tells a story: of perseverance, of possibility, and of a community coming together to support the next generation.
And for the students who receive them, that support makes all the difference.
To donors who create and give to scholarships, Cheney says, “You are making it so I can be here and try new things, and it’s completely life-changing.”
To contribute to a program or scholarship, visit giving.humboldt.edu/our-funds.