Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Endowed Scholarship
History
Established in 2009, the Edward L. Hennessy, Jr and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship provides financial support to academically talented students — and Tri-County Scholarship Fund recipients — from select New Jersey high schools who are pursuing undergraduate studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Scholarships are awarded annually to deserving students who, without this assistance, would not be able to attend FDU. Each scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 unweighted grade point average. To qualify, applicants also must have received assistance from the Tri-County Scholarship Fund in elementary, middle and/or high school.
Eligibility
You will receive preferential consideration for an Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship if you are a senior at a participating New Jersey high school and have received assistance from the Tri-County Scholarship Fund. Fairleigh Dickinson University strongly considers the following criteria in selecting Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy scholars:
- Accepted and planning to attend FDU as a full-time student at either the Florham Campus (Madison, NJ) or Metropolitan Campus (Teaneck, NJ).
- Record of academic achievement
Note: Students who receive an Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship also may be eligible for other academic scholarships offered by FDU.
How to Apply
To be considered for an Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship, students must submit the following application materials by Friday, February 26, 2026:
- An FDU Application for Undergraduate Admissions
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- FDU’s FAFSA Code: 002607
- Hennessy Scholarship Application
About the Hennessys
Edward and Ruth Hennessy have long supported education, health care and the arts. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1955. Currently a trustee emeritus at FDU, he joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 1978 and served for 16 years, including 11 years as chairman. The University has honored Mr. Hennessy in many ways, presenting him with an honorary doctor of laws degree, awarding him The PINNACLE (FDU’s highest alumni honor), honoring him at FDU’s first Charter Day Dinner and naming a building in his honor. In fact, Hennessy Hall is the majestic centerpiece of FDU’s Florham Campus and houses the Office of the University President, Campus Executive and Dean of Silberman College of Business; faculty offices and meeting rooms.
The Hennessys have been generous benefactors to Fairleigh Dickinson University for more than 40 years. In 2005, they made a $2.1 million commitment to FDU to build the University’s endowment and support the University libraries. In 2009, they established the Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship to continue the work started by Mr. Hennessy and his friend, Bishop Frank Rodimer, with whom he cofounded the Tri-County Scholarship Fund in 1981 to assist with tuition for disadvantaged elementary, middle and high school students students living in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties. The fund continues to help these students attend quality, value-based schools. Since its inception, the fund has raised $29.5 million and granted 32,500 scholarships.
Although Mrs. Hennessy passed away in 2016, Mr. Hennessy remains very committed to FDU through the Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation Scholarship. This legacy honors their lifetime together by providing support for generations of worthy students seeking to study at FDU.