We Bridge the Financial Aid Gap

Since 2001 over $3+ million dollars in scholarships has been awarded to 400+ students

What We Do & Why We Do It

Bridging the Gap

The Blue White Scholarship Foundation is committed to “Bridging the Gap” for Villanova students who remain financially short even after receiving all available aid from the University and other sources.

According to U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges Editions (2014–2025), Villanova University reports an average 18% gap between demonstrated financial need and awarded aid. This shortfall disproportionately affects juniors and seniors, many of whom have already exhausted their financial resources.

For students supported by our foundation, the average unmet need is $17,000, a critical gap that can jeopardize their ability to continue their education. Our mission is to close that gap and ensure that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic success.

Who We Are

The Blue White Scholarship Foundation is also proudly known as the Blue White Club, established in 2001. Our roots trace back to the Wildcat Club, founded in 1973. We are honored to be the oldest and only nationwide independent alumni organization affiliated with Villanova University.

United by a shared commitment to "Pay It Forward," our team of alumni and friends work together to support students through need-based scholarships that help close the tuition gap and make higher education more accessible.

Pictured: Our Scholars taking the Benjamin Franklin Pledge,( Dr. Benjamin Franklin is the creator of the "Pay It Forward" concept ) at the annual ceremony, witnessed by the Foundation's Board of Directors.

In 2015, the Blue White Scholarship Foundation introduced a powerful new criterion for scholarship eligibility: a commitment to “Pay It Forward.” Since then, each Blue White Scholar pledges to help another student in the future, continuing a cycle of generosity and support.

Each scholar signs a letter inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s famous correspondence with a debtor. In his letter, Franklin requests that repayment not be made to him, but instead passed on to someone else in need, creating a ripple effect of kindness.

He wrote:

“I do not pretend to give such a sum; I only lend it to you. When you meet with another

honest man in similar distress, you must pay me by lending this sum to him.”

This timeless philosophy is at the heart of our mission. By embracing Franklin’s vision, our scholars become part of a living chain that transforms a single act of support into a legacy that uplifts many.

Who We Help

The Blue White Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to helping Villanova students who face significant financial challenges yet remain determined to pursue their education. We focus on:

Students with Extraordinary Circumstances, such as:

Parental job loss
Underemployment
Serious family illness resulting in high medical expenses
Families with multiple children in college

2. Students Paying 100% of Their Own Tuition

These individuals often work multiple jobs or take on significant debt to fund their education

3. Middle-Class Students Who Don’t Qualify for Full Financial Aid

Many fall into the gap of earning too much to qualify for full aid, but not enough to afford tuition without hardship

Pictured is Blue White Scholar Francesca Cocchi. She is now working in NYC an Editor for Today Digital an NBC Universal Company

What we do & Why

APPLY FOR A BLUE WHITE SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship Criteria

Rising Juniors and Seniors
Students with demonstrated financial need
Strong Academic Performance
Superior Work Ethic-as shown by helping to pay their own tuition/ expenses
Commitment to "Pay It Forward"
Preference for students facing unexpected hardships or paying for 100% of tuition independently

Read What Our Scholars Have to Say

"Last year my father lost his job, causing the burden of paying 4 college tuitions to become the main stressor in our lives. When I got my letter from BWSF, my entire family felt like we could breathe for the first time in a while."

ALLYSON WEAVER

NURSING

"My parents went through a tumultuous divorce in 2013, and my Father stopped paying child support. It was tough for my Mom to support three of us on a single income. I worked part-time during the school year and fifty hours per week during breaks, but we still came up short. I feared I would not be able to complete my degree. I questioned whether college was worth it. When I found out that I received this scholarship, I nearly leaped up from my chair. It would go a long way in helping me, but it also meant more than that. It was validation. Since I knew the scholarship was based on need and work ethic, it felt like someone believed in me.

"In the last year, my family faced an unexpected loss when my father passed away from cancer. This tragedy put an added financial stress on my family and put my education at risk. That’s why when I learned I received a scholarship I was ecstatic. Because of you I will be able to finish my degree."

PRESTON WHITEMAN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

More Testimonials

ANTHONY PASSELA

ECONOMICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE

Our Impact

STUDENTS

Assisted 400+ Students

from 2001-2026

CRITICAL NEED

At Villanova University, 55% of students apply for need-based financial aid. Yet only 41% receive aid, and even among those recipients, a significant gap remains.

On average, these students face an 18% shortfall in covering the full cost of tuition, room, and board even after receiving all University grants and Federal loans.

Only 23% of students have their financial needs fully met, leaving a staggering 77% with unmet need. This financial gap can jeopardize a student’s ability to remain enrolled, complete their degree, and fulfill their potential.

The Blue White Scholarship Foundation exists to close that gap by helping one student at a time.