Hamza Yaqoobi First Generation Union Scholarship

APPLICATION FOR

HAMZA YAQOOBI FIRST GENERATION UNION SCHOLARSHIP

YEAR 2025-2026

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Scholarship Disbursed: Academic Year 2025-2026

Provided by: Hamza Yaqoobi & A. Ray Olpin University Union

Value: $2,000

Number of Awards: 3

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.
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HAMZA YAQOOBI FIRST GENERATION UNION SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE

The Hamza Yaqoobi First Generation Union Scholarship provides three (3) scholarships of $2,000 to first-generation college students pursuing an undergraduate degree . The scholarship aims to identify and recognize first-generation students whose commitment to creating community has, or will, contribute to the culture, values, and overall mission of the Union and the surrounding Utah community. This includes students building and strengthening their community within the Union, University of Utah campus community, and the Utah community.

This scholarship defines first-generation as a student whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree in the United States. This scholarship views commitment to creating and strengthening community as the process of working collaboratively with community groups and individuals on and off campus to address issues that impact community well-being.

Hamza Yaqoobi, a first-generation University of Utah graduate, is one of the first recipients of the Union Scholarships. While working towards his degree at the University of Utah, Hamza also dedicated his time to working with and creating spaces for underrepresented community members on and off campus. Hamza credits scholarships like the Union Scholarships for supporting his academic and community endeavors simultaneously. As a first-generation college graduate supported through scholarships, Hamza feels passionately about supporting other first-generation students who are also committed to community work.

ELIGIBILITY

• This scholarship is available to first-generation college students pursuing their FIRST undergraduate degree
  
• This scholarship is available to incoming and current undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Utah for the Fall 2025 semester
  
• Candidates must NOT be a previous scholarship recipient
  
• Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 from the University of Utah or prior institution
  
• Candidates must have at least half-time status as an undergraduate at the University of Utah
  
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate community involvement via the community involvement essay
  
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate financial need for the scholarship via the financial need essay
  
• 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 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 with Union Marketing

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Personal & enrollment information
  
• Attach a resume
  
• Attach an essay: Community involvement essay
  
• Attach an essay: Financial circumstances 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