Welcome to
Freshman Fresh Start

Freshman Fresh Start

Freshman Fresh Start provides economically disadvantaged, high-achieving, college-bound high school seniors with the resources they need to purchase essential dorm room and school supplies, helping to lessen their financial burdens and ease the transition to campus life.

Established in 2011, Freshman Fresh Start partners with educators and support organizations throughout the greater Boston area to help students begin college on more equal footing.

What We Do

Most financial aid packages focus on tuition, room, and board, but many students arrive on campus without the basic items they need to live and study comfortably.

Freshman Fresh Start exists to help close that gap.

We support students with financial need during their transition to college by helping them obtain essential dorm room and academic supplies, reducing unnecessary stress at the very start of their college experience.

Students selected for the program will receive:

✔ A gift card
✔ Clear purchasing guidelines
✔ A detailed shopping list for dorm room and school supplies
✔ Support from Freshman Fresh Start staff or volunteers, as needed

This approach gives students flexibility while ensuring that support is used as intended.

How Students Are Identified

Freshman Fresh Start works exclusively with a defined group of partner schools and support agencies in Massachusetts. Students must be nominated by one of our current partner organizations.

Our partner organizations include:

✔ Public and charter high schools
✔ Support agencies and community-based organizations

Partner schools and agencies nominate students who:

✔ Demonstrate financial need
✔ Plan to live on campus full-time
✔ Are able to manage deadlines and basic logistics
✔ Are motivated and responsive
✔ Show a desire to contribute positively to their community

Leadership & Contact Information

Ruth Weinstein, Founder
ruth@freshmanfreshstart.org

Susan W. Tofias, Founder
susan@freshmanfreshstart.org

Margaux Paine, Program Director
margaux@freshmanfreshstart.org

Mailing Address
Freshman Fresh Start
P.O. Box 81126
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0001

For general questions, please contact:
📧 ruth@freshmanfreshstart.org

Our full website is currently under construction as we update our programs.