Wingate University Office of Marketing and Communications

Grants | Scholarship Program

Cohort Model

Our scholarship program awards annual grants for the education of female students with financial need at nearly 200 colleges, universities and schools in nine Southeastern states. Most grants support undergraduate higher education, though we maintain an interest in health education with a focus on nursing.

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

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation cohort models share several elements, including larger, recurring scholarship awards, a thoughtful selection process, close mentoring, and special programs that promote leadership, service and/or philanthropy. Many schools use the cohort model to pilot retention strategies that may have wider application across their campus. Developing a cohort model is not a requirement for continued support, and we do not provide additional funding for these programs. However, we encourage schools to explore ways to leverage our funding and existing resources to strengthen students’ success.