Maria Isabel Reyes Memorial Transfer Scholarship

APPLICATION FOR

MARÍA ISABEL REYES MEMORIAL TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP

YEAR 2025-2026

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Provided by: The A. Ray Olpin University Union

Value: $3,000

Number of Awards: 2

Scholarship Disbursed: Academic Year 2025-2026

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 16, 2025 by 11:59 PM (MST)

UNION SCHOLARSHIP MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Union Scholarship Fund is to support the academic achievement of students representing a wide array of backgrounds and experiences; the students are currently attending or plan to attend the University of Utah. The fund promotes the retention and completion of students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to the mission of the Union. Through this fund, the Union and its scholarship partners recognize students who are committed to bettering the communities they serve.

PURPOSE OF MARÍA ISABEL REYES MEMORIAL TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP

María Isabel Reyes was a Graduate Assistant in the Union Administration Office at the A. Ray Olpin University Union. As a first-generation Latina transfer student, María worked tirelessly to create a campus community where everyone felt they belonged. María tragically lost her life to cancer in August 2017; however, during her short time at the University of Utah, her impact in the campus community and the Union was immense. María felt passionate about identifying best practices for supporting all underrepresented students in the Union.

The Union acknowledges and recognizes transfer students within our campus community for their dedication and commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and can thrive. The María Isabel Reyes Memorial Transfer Scholarship provides two (2) scholarship of $3,000 to assist a transfer student in accomplishing their academic goals. The purpose of this scholarship is to identify and recognize a transfer student whose commitment to creating a campus community for all and has, or will, contribute to the culture, values, and overall mission of the Union. These opportunities can include but are not limited to involvement within an office or event(s) in the Union

For purposes of this scholarship and application, we also have a broad interpretation of the definition of a transfer student to mean any student who has previously attended a regionally accredited college or university after successfully graduating from high school or obtaining their GED.

ELIGIBILITY

• This scholarship is available to incoming and current transfer students enrolled at the University of Utah for the Fall 2025 semester
  
• This scholarship is available to students pursuing an undergraduate degree
• Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 from the University of Utah or prior institution (including high school).
  
• Candidates must have at least half-time status as an undergraduate student at the University of Utah
  
• Many students who are selected to receive a University scholarship after May 12, 2015, are required by state law to certify under penalty of perjury that they are eligible to receive the scholarship as a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present within the United States. Students who have graduated from a recognized Utah high school or who are awarded a scholarship funded by a private donor ARE NOT required to certify their lawful presence before receiving a privately funded scholarship (This scholarship is a privately funded scholarship).
  
• Students who are required to certify their lawful presence in the United States must also be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for verification of their lawful presence within the United States. Once the University submits information to DHS for verification this federal agency may have the legal right to share information with other government agencies. If you do not know whether you are lawfully present within the United States you should seek the advice of an immigration attorney before accepting a University Scholarship that requires certification and verification
  

RECIPIENT REQUIREMENT

• The recipients of the scholarship are expected to attend the annual Union Scholarship Celebration event on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The celebration promotes the scholarship on a community level and will be the time when recipients are publicly recognized and awarded.
• Sign scholarship Acceptance Forms
• Schedule a headshot picture

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Personal & Enrollment Information
  
• Attach a resume
  
• Attach an essay: Transfer story Essay
  
• Attach an essay: Campus contribution essay
  

SCHOLARSHIP CONTACT

David Leon

Student Services Manager

University of Utah, A. Ray Olpin Union Building

200 S. Central Campus Dr. Room 235 Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Dleon@union.utah.edu

(801) 585-9709