The Feed U Pantry Scholarship for Advocates of Food Security

APPLICATION FOR

THE FEED U PANTRY SCHOLARSHIP FOR ADVOCATES OF FOOD SECURITY

YEAR 2025-2026

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Provided by: Feed U Pantry, Union Programming Council, & A. Ray Olpin University Union

Value: $3,000

Number of Awards: 1

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

Scholarship Disbursed:  Fall 2025 Semester

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; these 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.

THE FEED U PANTRY SCHOLARSHIP FOR ADVOCATES OF FOOD SECURITY PURPOSE

The Union Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Feed U Pantry and Union Programming Council will provide one $3,000 scholarship to assist a student in accomplishing their academic goals. The purpose is to identify and recognize a student whose community engagement and service have or will, contribute to the mission of the Union and focus on food insecurity issues.

The Union Scholarship committee defines community engagement as the process of working collaboratively with community groups and individuals to address issues that impact the well-being of those groups. For purposes of this scholarship and application, we also have a broad interpretation of the definition of community to include the University of Utah, the Salt Lake City area, and/or your own neighborhood. Applicants who have demonstrated volunteer service in the Feed U pantry or similar community service initiatives will be given priority consideration

Food insecurity is defined as a state of being in which a person does not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food. The scholarship is open to students who work to effect positive change and support programs and policies to reduce the number of persons impacted by food insecurity.

ELIGIBILITY

• This scholarship is available to students currently at the University of Utah as well as incoming students anticipated to enroll for the 2025 fall semester.
• 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 or as a graduate student
• Candidates must be able to describe financial situation for the scholarship via the financial need essay
• Applicants who have demonstrated volunteer service in the Feed U pantry or similar community service initiatives will be given priority consideration
• 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 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: Food Security Advocate Essay
• Attach an essay: Career Goals and Financial Situation 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