Make way for an exceptional student experience

For Laura Jacoby BS `76, the necessity of holding a job while attending college meant passing up opportunities because of her work schedule, or because the extra fees required for some activities weren’t in the budget. What was worse, Jacoby says, was falling asleep in class because she was so tired.

“I wanted to learn and to fully understand what the professors were sharing, but all too often I didn’t have enough time. Assignments were hurdles to overcome when they should have been enjoyable exercises,” she remembers.

In recent years, WashU has taken bold steps to increase access for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. However, access alone does not guarantee success.

By addressing unanticipated expenses that fall outside the parameters of a standard financial aid package, the university’s Student Success Fund supports students when they have exhausted all other resources.

Jacoby’s own challenges while attending WashU inspired her to support the Student Success Fund with an estate gift.

“When I decided to make a bequest to WashU, I gave a lot of thought to how I wanted the money used. I decided I wanted to support students who were on the edge financially, who, when faced with one unbudgeted expense—a car breakdown, an illness—might have to drop out.”

Jacoby was happy to learn that a fund for these situations already existed. Originally created in 2017, the Student Success Fund provides students with demonstrated need the resources to cover emergency or educational enrichment expenses to ensure their successful progression toward their WashU degree. A transformational pledge made in 2021 by Emeritus Trustee John Dains, BSBA ’68, dramatically increased resources available to students with the establishment of the Stephanie Brooks Dains and John Dains Student Success Fund. With the increased socioeconomic diversity of the student body, the university has continued to see an increase in applications each year.

Whether a student needs assistance with emergency travel, medical expenses not covered by insurance, or even basic necessities like food or winter clothing, the Student Success Fund provides essential support that can make a crucial difference in their ability to stay on track toward earning their degree. 40% of grants given relate to travel and career expenses, such as study abroad, graduate or professional school application fees, and professional attire or travel for a job interview.

Jacoby’s estate gift will endow the Laura Mahon Jacoby Student Success Fund. When asked about attaching her name to her gift, Jacoby initially declined, however, remembering the words of her grandmother changed her mind.

_{Laura Jacoby BS ’76 at Washington University commencement. Photo provided by Laura Jacoby.}