Non-profit “101” provides scholarships to local students

The nonprofit and volunteer-run organization known as “101” provides need-based scholarships to graduates of Princeton High School. While the organization is independent of the University, it maintains close ties: Six University officials serve on its 13-member advisory board, and it receives assistance from the University’s Financial Aid Office during the applicant review process.

The Financial Aid Office receives approximately 30 applications from PHS seniors through 101 and reviews each applicant’s complete tax and income data, Undergraduate Financial Aid Deputy Director Betty Ashwood explained.

“We just apply the Princeton need analysis formula and look at the applications to give an estimate of financial aid need,” Ashwood said. She noted that the students who receive aid from the 101 organization typically do not attend the University.

The 101 fund, which was founded over 40 years ago by a secretary at PHS, gives scholarships in varying amounts of up to a maximum four-year total of $10,000 to assist students in paying tuition at four- or two-year colleges or vocational schools.

Riva Levy, president of 101, explained that many PHS students do not have the means to go to college and are often the first generation in their families to attend college. Levy explained that scholarships granted by the 101 fund make a difference for students who otherwise could not have attended college, especially those going to Mercer Community College who could not afford college without these scholarships.

Levy explained that applicants to the 101 fund who attend Mercer College receive the full $10,000 scholarship.

“Princeton students would be surprised if they realized the full economic spectrum that is represented by students from Princeton High School,” Princeton University Investment Company President and 101 advisory board member Andrew Golden said.

Golden explained that the scholarships provided by 101 truly make a difference for students who attend two-year colleges and even those who attend four-year colleges with smaller endowments than Princeton’s.

Golden became involved in 101 because his wife was a former co-president of the organization. Golden said his involvement in the fund was an effort to become involved both in the community and in the organization, which he described as a “family project.”

He explained that what is most “amazing” about the organization is that “every dollar that is donated actually goes to the program.”

Earlier this month, Cannon Club hosted 101’s big annual fundraiser, in which the organization was able to raise approximately $32,000, according to Levy.

Cannon Club president Connor Clegg ’14 explained that because Marion McLusky, secretary of their graduate board, is on the board of trustees of 101, the club became involved in hosting the fundraiser for the organization.

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Levy explained that the grants provided by 101 are made possible largely through private donations, but also through fundraising events such as the one held earlier this month at Cannon. The organization also coordinates a direct mailing campaign each year, which raises between $14,000 and $15,000 annually and holds a talent show at the high school, which brings in a smaller amount of donations.

Other members of the advisory board affiliated with the University are Princeton University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee ’69, Manager of Information Technology Systems at the Wilson School Ellen Kemp, economics professor Burton Malkiel GS ’64, professor of sociology and public affairs Sara McLanahan and President Shirley Tilghman.