A Kansas couple has pledged an estate gift of $3.5 million to the WSU Foundation to endow a general scholarship fund for Wichita State University students who demonstrate financial need.

The couple asked to remain anonymous. They commented that: “WSU has been important to our family, and we want to assure that future students continue to have access to transformational educational experiences at the university.”

Students who meet the requirements of financial need, have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and hold part-time employment will be eligible for scholarships of up to half of the cost of their tuition, according to the scholarship guidelines stipulated by the donors. A preference will be given to students from Kansas.

Although the gift will not be realized until sometime in the future, at the current level of tuition and fees, the scholarship it endows would provide half-tuition awards for about 35 students a year.

“Through their wise planning, this humble and generous couple has created a future scholarship that will have a significant positive impact on the lives of hundreds of WSU students,” said Michael Lamb, vice president with the WSU Foundation.