Following $5 Million Gift, Sweet Briar College Looks to Expand its Top Scholarship

Sweet Briar College, a private women’s liberal arts college in Virginia, plans to “significantly expand” its Presidential Scholars Program — the school’s highest scholarship award — following a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor.

The invitation-only scholarship, which offers full and partial tuition to students with outstanding academic achievements, is currently awarded to 30 students. With the gift, however, Sweet Briar plans to expand that number by 40%, anticipating that 10-12% of its student body will be Presidential Scholars within the next 15 years.

“These scholarships will help make Sweet Briar the college of choice for some of the nation’s brightest young women,” said Sweet Briar President Dr. Meredith Woo. “I am deeply grateful to our donor and I look forward to meeting the amazing students who will, thanks to her help, become Sweet Briar women.”