The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation’s scholarship program awards annual grants for the education of female students with financial need at accredited educational institutions in nine southeastern states. Most of the scholarship grants support undergraduate higher education, though the Foundation maintains an interest in health education, with a strong focus on nursing education.

Roughly 14% of schools in the program have developed cohort models to improve retention and build a culture of philanthropy. Many schools have found they are able to help students feel more connected by lifting up the story of Mrs. Whitehead’s legacy and creating a community for scholarship recipients around her example of leadership and service.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation cohort models share several common elements, including larger, recurring scholarship awards, a thoughtful selection process, closer mentoring, and special programs that promote leadership, service, and/or philanthropy. Many are using the cohort model as a pilot for retention strategies that may have wider application. Developing a cohort model is not a requirement for continued support, and the Foundation does not provide additional funding for these programs.  However, a number of schools have found creative ways to leverage existing programs and services.