Financial Aid Fund
The Leadership Brainery Financial Aid Fund (FAF), previously the Student Relief Fund, supports underserved and underrepresented talent pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees. FAF offers aid in the forms of need-based and merit scholarships, standardized test preparation materials, and emergency grants to students applying to or attending LB member schools. Occasionally, we may offer scholarships to students not attending one of our member schools.
LB FAF began in 2018 when an LB supporter offered to pay the tuition of a young man suffering from homelessness so that he could find stability, peace, and hope. In 2020, in response to the coronavirus outbreak that disproportionately impacted students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, FAF provided emergency aid to hundreds of currently enrolled students.
With the help of the individuals and companies who support Leadership Brainery, FAF reduces the financial burden that prevents talent from underserved and underrepresented communities from pursuing and completing graduate-level education, finding lucrative careers, and obtaining generational wealth and stability.
Applicant Data
72%
are the first in their families to attend college.
22%
are homeless or living in temporary housing.
41%
expressed an immediate need for food.
21%
identify as LBGTQ+
Important Update, December 31, 2020:
We have received over 2,500+ requests for aid, and are no longer accepting new requests from undergraduate students at this time. We encourage undergraduate students who are in need to contact your University administration offices for support. You can also find local resources for food, housing, and transportation by calling your local health department.
Those who applied before December 31, 2020, and were not provided a notice for aid, are on the waitlist and will be notified if aid becomes available. We wish you strength and continued success. For any questions, please contact leader@theleadershipbrainery.org.
Aid for Law Students Available
Leadership Brainery and the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association has partnered to aid Black law students in Massachusetts with mini-grants. [Download Press Release]
While there is an increasing call for Black leadership nationally and locally, those who are training to fulfill those roles, such as Black law students, are experiencing significant burdens exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. LB and MBLA are committed to ensuring diverse leaders in the pipeline can survive and thrive during and beyond these times.
Mini-Grant Details
Thanks from our grantees...
"As someone who is quite talkative, I am somehow struggling to find the words to appropriately express just how thankful I am to the donors who made this possible. This situation has reminded me of the power of community."
— Erin, Senior at Simmons University
"Thank you so much for offering such valued and heartwarming help in such tumultuous times. It’s comforting to know that people still show such facets of compassion in the face of uncertainty, and from the bottom of my heart, your contributions will help that much in making it through this difficult situation. Once again, I’m sending so much appreciation and gratitude your way for the privilege and blessings which you’ve granted me."
— Leon, Senior at Boston University
"From the bottom of my heart I want to express my immense gratitude. Not only for your generous donation to me, but also for your commitment to help so many students during this incredibly stressful and puzzling time. While it is easy to succumb to the idea of self-preservation during situations such as these, and hoard all aid to oneself, it is the people who use this time to help those less fortunate, that are good people. God bless and thank you!"
— Rose, Sophomore at Boston College
