Inspired by the mission of the Multicultural Resource Center to provide “a resource for people who have been historically disenfranchised from higher education, particularly low-income, international, and first-generation college students”, the Helping Hands Scholarship aims to annually award exemplary students who are actively involved in their communities. The fund will provide financial assistance to cover textbooks, travel for academic or career opportunities, stipends for expenses during unpaid internships, graduate school exam preparation, study abroad expenses and application fees related to these advancement areas.

The HH Scholarship Fund will exist in accordance with Oberlin’s commitment to a diverse social and liberal arts education. A student’s grades and financial aid awards applied directly to tuition and fees will not be factors in the selection process, as academic performance often falters due to the time demands of student jobs and other work. Basing this award on academic performance would therefore defeat some of the purposes of the Fund. The HH Scholarship will exist to assist students who are facing the combined stresses of academic and financial issues, uniquely highlighting underprivileged students to prevent them from withdrawing from school over financial concerns, and to prevent these concerns from adversely affecting their academic performance or limiting their access to academic and career opportunities.

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