UA Receives More than $2 million from Bernard Osher Foundation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama has received more than $2 million in funding from The Bernard Osher Foundation for the foundation’s signature programs: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program.

These programs, which are facilitated through UA’s College of Continuing Studies, have received $1 million permanent endowments to fund them in perpetuity at the University.

“We are pleased to partner with the Osher Foundation on their signature programs. We believe this partnership exemplifies our efforts to provide the best opportunities for our students of all ages,” said UA President Robert E. Witt.

In addition to the endowment awards, UA has received a $50,000 bridge grant for its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and a $50,000 grant to support this year’s Osher Reentry Scholarships.  These funds will help sustain the programs until the endowment funding matures.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is targeted toward continuing the education of mature students, providing opportunities for intellectual stimulation, cultural development, and social interaction.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program assists students who have experienced at least a five-year interruption in their education and want to resume their undergraduate studies to complete their degree. The scholarship is administered through UA’s College of Continuing Studies. The program is intended to benefit students who have considerable years of employability ahead of them, ideally aged 25 to 50. The funding enables UA to award 20 tuition-only scholarships of $2,500 each to qualified students who demonstrate financial need, academic promise and a commitment to completing their degree.