Northwood University is proud to announce a $2 million pledge from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation to support scholarships for middle-income students. This transformative gift will expand access to higher education for families who too often fall through the cracks of traditional financial aid — earning too much to qualify for need-based grants, but still struggling to cover the rising cost of college.
“Northwood University was founded on the conviction that education empowers individuals and uplifts entire communities,” stated Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. “The generous support of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing middle-income families today — students who may not qualify for substantial public aid yet face the burden of affording relevant higher education. This scholarship bridges that gap, opening doors to high-quality private education and ensuring that these students and their families can thrive at Northwood University and well into their futures.”
Meeting a Critical Need
According to the Pew Research Center, middle-income families earn between roughly $50,000 and $150,000 annually. They do not qualify for federal or state need-based grants, yet the out-of-pocket costs of a private education can exceed $30,000 annually. During the Fall 2024 enrollment cycle, more than 140 admitted students from middle-income families chose not to attend Northwood University because of these financial obstacles.
“This gift is about investing in the next generation of leaders who will strengthen our workforce, contribute to the growth of the Great Lakes Bay Region, and advance prosperity on a global scale,” explained Dr. Matthew Bennett, Vice President of Enrollment and Strategic Partnerships. “Middle-income families represent the backbone of our economy, but their children are increasingly shut out of private higher education. Scholarships supported by this pledge will ensure that more of them have the chance to succeed at Northwood and beyond.”
Driving Regional Growth and Prosperity
In a testament to how Northwood helps drive economic development in Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region, a recent independent impact study found the university contributes $212 million annually in the region, and the activities of Northwood and its students support one out of every 95 jobs in the Great Lakes Bay Region. More than half of Northwood graduates who now live in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, and surrounding communities originally came from outside the region.
In a joint statement, Gerstacker Foundation President & CEO Lisa Gerstacker and Gerstacker Foundation Executive Vice President & Assistant Treasurer Bill Schuette commented: “The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation has a rich history of supporting colleges and universities, and we are pleased to champion Northwood’s efforts to expand access for more middle-income students and their families.”
“Scholarships for middle-income students not only help individual families, but they also strengthen our workforce and our community’s future. This is about more than affordability — it is about sustaining growth and opportunity for our region and beyond. We are proud to support America’s Free Enterprise University.”
Gratitude and Leadership
The $2 million pledge serves as a lead gift for Northwood’s effort to rally broad philanthropic support for middle-income scholarships. University leaders hope it will inspire additional contributions, with the goal of launching the new program in Fall 2026.
“The Gerstacker Foundation’s vision and generosity will ensure that values like personal freedom, individual responsibility, earned success, and other tenets of our institutional philosophy, The Northwood Idea, remain within reach for future generations,” stated Justin Marshall, Chief Development and Engagement Officer for Northwood University. “Their support sets a powerful example, and we invite others to join them in advancing educational access through Northwood’s When We Are Free comprehensive campaign.”
For more information about the When We Are Free campaign, visit campaign.northwood.edu/. Learn more about the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation at www.gerstackerfoundation.org/.
