Following the lead of other expensive, elite universities, Northwestern University on Tuesday announced initial funding for a program that will provide full scholarships for low-income students.
A donation from Chicago businessman Patrick Ryan and his wife, Shirley, both Northwestern graduates, will fund scholarships for the school’s neediest students, allowing them to graduate without having to pay back student loans. The amount of the gift was not disclosed, and university officials said they don’t know how many students will benefit.