Student Services Grants

Three Research Assistants for the Africana Studies Department Supporting Faculty Research - $10,000 

Funds from this grant will provide support to pay for three student Research Assistants for Faculty research in the Department.  Students will assist with questionnaire design, transcription and analysis as well as assisting with conducting literature review and citation compilation. Students may also be engaged in exciting archival work which may include some travel.

Contact: Chipo Dendere, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies

Graduate School Preparation Support for Students with Financial Need - $10,000 

Funds from this grant will provide awards of $100 to help students cover costs associated with the graduate school application process. These grants will be available to juniors and seniors who are in the process of applying to graduate school. Often funding plays a major role in how students prepare for graduate school entrance exams, choose the number of schools to apply to, etc. These funds will directly impact our mission and the mission of the College by helping students to achieve their postgraduate goals regardless of income level.

Contact: Tess Mattern, Director, Operations & Marketing, Career Education

Health Professions Advising Pre-Health Scholars Cohort - $10,100 

Funds from this grant will be used to support for Health Professions Advising Program (for FGLI students) including: continued support for transportation to clinical sites that enable PreMed Scholars to gain first-hand clinical experience; support for materials to enable the PreMed Scholars to begin early preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT); transportation to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) shadowing for students with financial need who are not part of the PreMed Scholars program; and support for Wintersession participation in the Harvard Med Sciences (HMS) UpSkill track.

Contact: Cindy Seltzer, Director of Health Professions Advising, Career Education

Gender-affirming Gear Project - $7,500 

Funds from this grant will provide gender-affirming gear to transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students with financial need. Gender-affirming care provides substantially better health outcomes for trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people, improving mental health, reducing rates of suicide, and increasing social and academic engagement.

Contact: Todd Nordgren, Director, LGBTQ+ Programs & Services

Professional Development Grants - $7,500

Funds from this grant will be used to support students with small grants for professional development opportunities that otherwise are not funded through the College, such as attending conferences, paying for transportation for unpaid internships, or getting additional credentials. This will further the mission of OICE to increase opportunities for low-income, first-generation, and/or students of color to enhance their resumes and prospects for career development.

Contact: Ines Maturana Sendoya, Associate Dean of Students for Inclusion and Engagement

Study Abroad Support for Students with Financial Need - $10,000

Funds from this grant will be used to provide small, targeted grants of up to $500 to support high-need students in managing the upfront, out-of-pocket costs associated with study abroad, such as passport applications, renewals, and student visa fees. Through a rolling application process, our office will award these funds directly to students on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring they can secure necessary travel documentation well in advance of their program start dates. By removing these specific financial barriers, we aim to make international experiences more equitable and empower underrepresented first-generation and low-income students to take full advantage of the global programs offered by the College.

Contact: Katie Saibara, Assistant Director of International Study

Membership Dues for Students on Financial Aid - $3,800

Funds from this grant will assist with paying membership dues for students on financial aid. The national organization requires that students join the society in order to claim the honor of membership. Our chapter has always had a policy of paying the dues for students on financial aid. In recent years, the number of new members on financial aid has increased dramatically, in part due to our more holistic selection process in keeping with the goals of inclusive excellence.

Contact: Bryan Burns, Professor of Classical Studies, President, Phi Beta Kappa Wellesley Chapter

PERA Physical Education Gear Program - $7,000

Funds from this grant will directly impact any student at Wellesley College who needs assistance with purchasing PE gear.  The College’s Physical Education graduation requirement ushers every single student through PERA’s doors. However, many students, especially those with financial need, cannot afford the cost of basic fitness gear like proper running shoes or a sports bra.  Students will be offered a one-time $100 grant to purchase clothing and/or gear that will allow them to participate in the PE class of their choice.  The student must need PE credit in order to be awarded the grant. With this program, students would be able to access the gear they need to safely complete their requirement.   

Contact: Katie Galiardi, Senior Associate Director, PERA

PERA Personal Training Instructor Training - $2,400

New in 2026-27, we will be offering a course titled “Personal Training Instructor Training” which results in students receiving a certification, similar to the lifeguarding program.  The certification comes at a cost and we do not want this to be a hurdle to a student’s choice to take the class.  Funds from this grant will cover the cost of the materials and registration.  These certifications are not only valuable within PERA but they offer opportunities off campus for students to earn a good hourly wage.  

Contact: Katie Galiardi, Senior Associate Director, PERA

Graduate School Preparation for STEM Students with Financial Need - $10,000

Funds from this grant will provide financial support for first-generation and low-income STEM students interested in pursuing graduate study after Wellesley as they complete research that prepares them for graduate work, apply to graduate school, and potentially visit graduate programs prior to making a decision for their future.  

Contact: Cathy Summa, Associate Provost & Director of the Science Center

Food Accessibility Program for Academic Breaks – $3,000

Funds from this grant will provide culturally appropriate ingredients, basic kitchen resources, and non-perishable food to support students who remain on campus during academic breaks. Rising food costs and limited dining accessibility have created significant barriers for many students, especially those balancing academic, work, and personal responsibilities. These challenges disproportionately affect international, transfer, and exchange students, as well as those from financially vulnerable backgrounds. This initiative advances the College’s mission by promoting student well-being, equity, and inclusion. By reducing food insecurity and supporting culturally meaningful nourishment, the project helps ensure that all students have the resources needed to thrive academically and socially.

Contact: Xiaoning Ding, Program Coordinator, Slater International Center

US Work Authorization Application Fee Support for Senior International Students - $5,400

To work post-graduation, international students must apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a form of work authorization that allows international graduates to secure employment in their major field of study after graduation. Funds from this grant will support at least 30 senior international students with up to $180 in grant funds helping to reduce financial barriers and promote equitable access to post-graduation employment opportunities.

Contact: Xiaoning Ding, Program Coordinator, Slater International Center

CARENOW Grant - Improving Access to Mental Health Services - $10,000

Funds from this grant will assist in reducing financial barriers for students seeking mental health services outside of Stone Center. The CARENOW Grant aims to mitigate or eliminate financial barriers to accessing mental health services by providing grants to reimburse a student for co-pays for behavioral health appointments and/or transportation costs that may prevent a student with a high clinical need from seeking and accessing care that is consistent, ongoing, or specialized.  Ongoing consistent care can be lifesaving and allow a student to receive the support they need to thrive and succeed at Wellesley College.

Contact: Sandra Acevedo, LICSW, Student Care Coordinator

First-Generation, Low-Income Summer Storage Fee Waiver Program - $10,000

Funds from this grant will be used to provide financial assistance to 100 first-generation and low-income students with moderate to high financial need with the costs associated with storing their belongings during the summer months while students are away from campus.

Contact: Jamie D. Motley, Anne Shen Chao '74 Director of Student Success