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In Baltimore’s Jewish community, young women face a stark challenge: access to culturally aligned, high-quality higher education remains financially out of reach for many, especially those from moderate-income families who fall into a critical but often invisible gap. These are families who may not qualify for, or who receive only partial federal aid but still cannot reasonably afford to pay for private college without compromising essential needs.

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At the Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary & College (WITS), we see the effects of this challenge every day. WITS is a small, Middle States–accredited women’s college that blends rigorous academics with a values-based environment designed for Jewish women. Our students are deeply committed to personal growth, community service, and long-term career development. Some come from homes where affording college without financial support is simply not feasible.

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WITS currently serves 187 students, which includes both full-time college students and high school seniors enrolled in our Early Start program. Of our 121 full-time degree-seeking undergraduates, 53% (64 students) qualified for Federal Pell Grants during the 2024–2025 academic year, a clear indicator of widespread financial need. However, this data only tells part of the story. The majority of the remaining students fall into the “unfunded middle”: families with moderate incomes who do not qualify for need-based government aid, yet face overwhelming expenses due to the high cost of Jewish life, including private K–12 education, kosher food, large family sizes, and community housing costs.

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Our current student body reflects two extremes: those who receive significant aid (like Pell) and those from families wealthy enough to pay full tuition. The students missing from our classrooms are overwhelmingly from moderate-income households who are often ineligible for traditional support but equally in need.

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Without scholarship assistance, even the most motivated students are forced to choose lower-cost, lower-quality educational alternatives such as online programs and test-based degree completion routes (CLEP), which rarely offer the academic support, mentorship, or skill-building necessary for long-term success in the workforce. Others forgo college entirely. This perpetuates a cycle in which even capable, motivated young women are excluded from educational opportunity and future economic stability, not because they lack ability, but because the system lacks the nuance to support their reality.

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This is a solvable problem, and one that, if addressed thoughtfully, will yield long-term outcomes in education equity, workforce readiness, and family economic mobility. Through a targeted, merit-based scholarship initiative, WITS aims to support middle-income students who may not qualify for federal aid but have demonstrated strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. By investing in these high-potential students, we are not only bridging an access gap, but also cultivating future educators, professionals, and leaders who will strengthen Baltimore’s Jewish community and make a broader impact worldwide.

Project Description:

WITS is launching the Opening Doors Scholarship Initiative, a focused effort to expand access to higher education for high-achieving Jewish women from families across the financial spectrum who face unmet need. This includes middle-income families who fall into the “unfunded middle,” as well as lower-income families whose government aid still leaves a significant gap in affordability. Without additional support, too many capable, motivated students are excluded from the kind of education that leads to long-term stability, meaningful careers, and lasting community impact.

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Goals and Activities (within 12–18 months):
 

• Award full or partial scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $36,000 to at least five students from financially strained households, selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to service or impact

• Expand outreach to qualified applicants to ensure broader awareness and access

• Provide individualized academic advising and career development support to scholarship recipients to promote long-term success

• Track student outcomes across key metrics: enrollment, retention, graduation, post-graduate education, and workforce placement

• Establish a framework to expand the initiative to 10 students annually within three years, contingent on available funding

This initiative is not just about financial relief, it is a strategic, equity-focused investment in high-potential young women who are poised to make meaningful contributions in both Jewish communities and the broader world. For 28 years, WITS has been doing just that. With over 2,500 alumnae, our impact extends from Baltimore to Cleveland, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, Israel, Melbourne, and beyond. They are shaping classrooms, launching initiatives, founding businesses, leading families, and strengthening communities across the globe. These scholarships will ensure that more capable, committed students, who might otherwise be left behind, gain access to the education that empowers them to lead, serve, and make a lasting difference.

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With a 91% graduation rate and a 91% retention rate, WITS is a proven engine of student success. Our graduates are not only finishing their degrees, they are moving on to the next stage with confidence: 98% are employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year, and our graduate school acceptance rate is consistently 98%. These outcomes reflect the quality of our academic programs, the strength of our advising, and the readiness of our students to contribute to their fields and communities.