Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement Union Student Leader Scholarship

APPLICATION FOR

Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement & Union Student Leader Scholarship
YEAR 2025-2026

Scholarship Details

Provided by: Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement Center & A. Ray Olpin Student Union

Scholarship Disbursed Academic Fall 2025

Value: $2,000

Number of Awards: 2

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

UNION SCHOLARSHIP FUND PURPOSE

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

Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement Center & Union Student Leader Scholarship Purpose 

The Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement & Union Student Leader Scholarship provides two (2) scholarships of $2,000 to assist a student in accomplishing their academic goals. The purpose is to identify and recognize students whose commitment to creating an welcoming campus community, has or will contribute to the overall mission of the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement and the A. Ray Olpin Union. Previous recipients of the scholarship are welcome to apply, with preference given to new applicants/recipients. 

Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement Center Mission 

We support student well-being and success by fostering the social, academic, and cultural engagement of American Indian and Alaska Native students, faculty, and staff through cultural affirmation, academic and professional development, and preparation for post-graduation success. Additionally, the center serves all tribal nations as a cultural bridge between tribal communities and the University of Utah through research, education, and community outreach activities.  

ELIGIBILITY

• This scholarship is available to incoming and current students enrolled at the University of Utah for Fall 2025 semester  
• Candidates must take a minimum of 12 undergraduate or 6 graduate credits at the University of Utah for the 2025 fall semester. 
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate financial need for the scholarship via the financial need essay. 
• Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 from the University of Utah or prior institution. 
• 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 both graduated from a recognized Utah High school and 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 REQUIREMENTS

• The recipients of the scholarship are expected to attend the annual Union Scholarship Celebration event during the evening of Thursday, September 18th, 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: Educational and Career Goals
• Attach an essay: Community 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