WIDER WORLD FUND
Expanding educational opportunities for Medina High School students
What Is the Wider World Fund?
The Wider World Fund is a college-access program for Medina High School students who dream of learning and thriving beyond Ohio.
Awards support students to attend academic summer pre-college programs or pursue their first year of undergraduate education at top colleges and universities.
Up to 5 awards are available each year.
Why This Fund Exists
The Wider World Fund is sponsored by MHS ’87 graduate Jane Leu and the Follow Your Dream Foundation, in honor of Jane's parents, Carol and Charles Leu, and the friends who encouraged her to pursue college in Boston and build a global career. The first generation in her family to graduate from college, Jane is grateful for the opportunity she had to earn degrees from Tufts University and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs that opened doors for her to a global career. She created this fund to pay it forward to open similar doors for Medina students who want to venture into the wider world and gain access to education, internships, and networks that will help their career goals become reality.
Who This Scholarship Is For
This scholarship may be a good fit if you:
Can see yourself with a national or international career
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You’re interested in fields like international business, public health, social impact, the arts, global engineering, diplomacy, immigration law, cybersecurity and more.
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You don’t know what you want to do yet and you want to get out and explore diverse fields of study and career.
Are curious, motivated and excited about urban, global, or professional pathways
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You imagine yourself studying and/or working in places like Boston, New York City, San Francisco, LA, Washington DC, or abroad in cities like London, Nairobi, Rio de Janeiro, or Seoul.
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You’re energized by fast-paced environments, and opportunities to meet people from all over the world.
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You enjoy exploring new ideas, pursuing your own interests, participating in leadership activities, or pushing yourself to try something outside your comfort zone
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This could include trying on this worldview by living on a college campus for summer or traveling out of state for the first time.
Have aspirations to make an impact beyond Medina
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You want to address challenges like climate change, public policy, tech innovation, social justice, healthcare access, or education reform — and you see yourself doing work that affects communities across the country or globally.
Dream of attending a top college or university
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You’re inspired by schools like Columbia, Tufts, Northwestern, UCLA, Wellesley, Stanford, Boston University, Amherst College, Harvey Mudd, Georgetown, Middlebury, Duke, NYU, or similar institutions that offer strong academic programs, global networks, and excellent financial aid.
What the Scholarship Includes
For Juniors:
Summer Pre-College Award & College Coaching Support
The junior award helps students experience college-level academics and prepare for the selective college application process. Recipients receive up to $2,500 to attend an accredited residential summer pre-college program outside Ohio plus individualized guidance from a professional college coach.
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Funding up to $2,500 may be used for:
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Tuition and fees not covered by financial aid
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Travel, room, and board
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Professional College Coaching
Award recipients also receive personalized coaching from a college admissions expert with experience both in Tufts University admissions and at top private high schools that send students to highly selective colleges.
Through 1:1 sessions, students receive expert guidance on:
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Identifying colleges that match their goals, interests, and strengths
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Understanding what selective colleges look for
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Crafting a strong, authentic application
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Navigating essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and interviews
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Building a college list with strong academic, financial, and personal fit
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Examples of Eligible Pre-College Programs
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Harvard Summer School
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Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
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Columbia University Pre-College
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Georgetown Summer Academy
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Boston University Summer Challenge
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Barnard Young Women’s Leadership Institute
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(Other accredited programs may be proposed. Programs must be 2+ weeks and outside Ohio.)
For Seniors:
One-on-one coaching & undergraduate award
Professional College Coaching
Award recipients may also use personalized 1:1 coaching to receive comprehensive support throughout the entire college application process. Coaching is designed to help seniors stay organized, confident, and strategic during a demanding and high-stakes year.
Through 1:1 sessions, students receive expert guidance on:
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Developing, refining, and polishing personal statements and supplemental essays
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Managing the increased academic and application workload throughout senior year
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Building and finalizing a balanced college list aligned with their interests, goals, and priorities
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Making informed decisions about where to apply and, ultimately, where to enroll
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Navigating recommendations, application timelines, interviews, and financial considerations
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Receiving individualized feedback, accountability, and support at each stage of the process
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Awards of $2,500–$5,000 toward your first year of college.
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Funds may be used for:
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Tuition
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Fees
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Room and board
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Books and supplies
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Travel
Additional support available for college application fees to competitive private universities (up to $250/student).
For Sophomores:
Undergraduate College Support
Professional College Coaching
Although college may be a few years off, as sophomores students can receive professional one-on-one coaching that is aimed at identifying their interests, selecting junior year classes that align with those interests, and beginning to strengthen their candidacy for eventual college applications.
Everyone is encouraged to apply. Preference is given to first-generation college students and girls.
How to Apply
To apply, you must:
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Complete a few short application questions
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Have a brief interview with Jane Leu
For Questions or guidance contact:
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Jane Leu: jane.c.leu@gmail.com
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Kristi Cavalier, MHS Guidance: cavaliek@medinabees.org
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Wider World Fund?
The fund helps Medina High School students broaden their horizons—either by attending an academic summer program (junior year) or by enabling students to pursue their interests in leading colleges and universities around the country by easing the financial burden of a student’s first year of college (senior year). The goal is to support students who are ready to explore opportunities beyond Ohio.
Can my student apply even if we’re not sure we can afford a top college?
Yes.
In fact, many colleges offer free or significantly discounted tuition to families earning below $150K–$200K—and strong financial aid for families above that threshold as well. Part of the fund’s mission is to help families understand these options.
How does the summer pre-college program support work?
Juniors can receive up to $2,500 to attend a 2+ week academic residential program outside Ohio.
Funds may cover tuition, fees, room/board, and travel if not already covered by financial aid.
Most MHS students will qualify for financial aid, so please don’t stop pursuing these opportunities if the tuition looks financially out of range.
What kinds of summer programs qualify?
Academic, accredited pre-college programs hosted by colleges and universities.
Examples include programs at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Georgetown, Boston University, and Barnard.
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Students may propose other academic programs.
Why attend a pre-college program?
These programs help students:
Experience living and learning on a college campus
Explore academic interests with more rigor
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Build confidence and independence
Strengthen future college applications
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Gain exposure to peers from around the country and world
How does the undergraduate scholarship work?
Seniors can receive $2,500–$5,000 for their first year of college. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, room/board, books, and travel.
The scholarship also offers up to $250 for college application fees to universities. Juniors may apply for the application fee support.
Is this a one-time award or renewable?
It is a one-year award for seniors.
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Juniors who receive summer support may still apply for the senior-year award.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Current Medina High School junior or senior
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Good academic standing. You don’t have to be top of your class, however.
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Curiosity, initiative, and motivation to explore opportunities beyond Ohio
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For juniors: ability to participate in a program outside Ohio
Financial need is considered but not required
Does my student need top grades to apply?
No. Academic readiness matters, but the fund also values qualities like:
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Curiosity
Resilience
Leadership or community involvement
Ambition to pursue a national or international pathway
First-generation status
What is “first-generation,” and why is it prioritized?
“First-generation” refers to students whose parents did not complete a 4-year college degree. These students often face unique barriers to accessing college, and the fund aims to support them in particular.
What if my student isn’t sure of their future major or career?
That’s completely normal. The scholarship is for students who are curious, motivated, and excited to grow—even if their exact path isn’t clear yet.
What is the time commitment for the summer programs?
Programs must be a minimum of two weeks, residential, and academically focused. Some programs last 3–6 weeks.
Can families apply for financial aid from the summer program first?
Yes, and they should. Many programs offer strong financial aid.
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The Wider World Fund award covers expenses after the program’s aid package.
Why does the program emphasize East and West Coast colleges
Selective private colleges on the East and West Coasts often:
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Have exceptional financial aid (many families under $150–200K pay little or no tuition)
Offer strong academic and global programs
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Provide diverse, urban, or international learning environments
What happens during the interview?
The interview is a short, friendly conversation with the fund sponsor, Jane Leu, and 1–2 MHS alumni.
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The purpose is to learn more about the student and to encourage them—not to test them.