20:40, 01 June 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
Michael Dell founded software giant Dell Technologies and is now worth $50.2bn, but his entrepreneurial journey started when he began selling computers from his room as a 19-year-old student at the University of Texas in Austin.
Fast forward 37 years, and Dell, together with his wife Susan, has pledged more than $100m over 10 years to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed at the university, despite the fact he dropped out before graduation.
The first wave of University of Texas Dell scholars started in September 2020, and the project’s aim is to ensure eligible students have access to resources to help them complete their degrees at the same rates as higher income peers.
Students on the programme will receive a financial award of $20,000 over their time in college that can be applied to the cost of attendance, including room and board, transportation, supplies and other expenses.
As well as the financial grant, students will also be eligible for specialised support, including financial aid coaching, a laptop computer and internship and career planning.
Susan Dell, who is co-founder of the foundation alongside her husband, said: “When Michael and I opened the doors of our family foundation in 1999, one of the first big initiatives we launched was the Dell Scholars programme.
“From the very beginning, it has been incredibly important to us that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to graduate from college – and that mission continues to this day.”
UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves added: “A college education has the power to change the life of a student and the future of their family and community.
“As a result of our groundbreaking partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, The University of Texas at Austin is poised to increase opportunities for thousands of talented students whose potential to achieve will be met with unprecedented commitment, resources and support.”
During the pandemic the programme has adapted to help students adapt to virtual learning, and has provided support with all aspects of learning from mental health advice to ensuring stable wifi with unlimited data for streaming lectures or completing online exams.
As well as the Dell Scholars award, the foundation also donated $80m to support healthcare and education during 2020, and a further $20m to accelerate the development of a Covid-19 treatment.
Find out more about the Dell foundation’s work at their website or follow them on Twitter.
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