SERVICE MEMBER PERSISTENCE SCHOLARSHIP

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

APPLICATION FOR THE

SERVICE MEMBER PERSISTENCE SCHOLARSHIP

2024 Fall Semester

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Provided by: Office of Alumni Relations & the Veterans Support Center

Value: $1,000 – $2,000

Number of awards: 1 -2

Academic Level: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Application deadline: Sunday, October 13, 2024 by 11:59 PM MST

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE

Recognizing that achieving one’s academic goals while serving in the military is challenging, the Office of Alumni Relations and the VSC established the Service Member Excellence Scholarship to promote student retention and graduation.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The Service Member Persistence Scholarship recognizes students who continue to pursue their degree while they are actively serving in the Reserves/National Guard or are active duty and pursuing off-duty education. This scholarship will award, at a minimum, one (1) scholarship and up to three (3) scholarships to assist military students (active duty, National Guard, or Reservist) in accomplishing their academic goals. No more than one (1) scholarship award will be made to a graduate student.

ELIGIBILITY

The military students must be actively drilling in the Reserves or National Guard or, if active duty, be pursuing off-duty education. Individuals attending the U as part of an active duty education program are ineligible.

The military student must be a current student who is in good standing with the University of Utah, and is attending full-time during Fall Semester 2024.

If an undergraduate, the military student must have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Spring Semester 2024 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater earned at the University of Utah.

If a graduate student, the military student must have earned a minimum of 18 credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Spring Semester 2024 and have a GPA of 3.0 or greater earned 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 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.)

VSC DEFINITION OF A VETERAN/MILITARY STUDENT

A collective term for any student who served or serves in the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of location, duration, branch, or component and who has not been dishonorably discharged, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The recipients of scholarships will be required to share their story and a photo with the Alumni Association and meet with members of the Alumni Association. Recipients may also be required to attend a scholarship celebration lunch in April 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, fill out the form and complete the required essay available. Once completed, remember to submit the application and essay.

Applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM on October 13, 2024 MST.

Documentation of military/veteran status will be required.

SCHOLARSHIP CONTACTS

Faa Taupau, Director, Veterans Support Center, ftaupau@sa.utah.edu

Angela Brink, Office Manager, Veterans Support Center, abrink@sa.utah.edu

Veterans Support Center 801/587-7722

Provide an essay about what you learned in the military that has enabled you to excel at the University of Utah while meeting the demands of your military service. (500 word minimum – 1,000 word maximum)

Optional: You may provide additional information, such as a statement of financial need, which you feel is relevant for consideration of this scholarship (500 word limit).