VETERAN/MILITARY EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

APPLICATION FOR THE

VETERAN/MILITARY EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

2024 Fall Semester

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

Provided by: The 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 academic excellence while attending without full VA educational benefits is challenging, the Office of Alumni Relations and the VSC established the Veteran/Military Excellence Scholarship to promote veteran/military student retention and graduation.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The Veteran/Military Excellence Scholarship recognizes students who are not receiving full VA educational benefits, who continue to pursue their degree, and who demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarship provides one (1) to four (4) awards to assist them in accomplishing their academic goals.

No more than one (1) graduate student will receive an award.

ELIGIBILITY

The student must be a veteran/military student as defined by the Veterans Support Center.

The veteran/military student must be a student in good standing with the University of Utah and will be attending full-time during Fall Semester 2024.

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

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

The student veteran must not be receiving VA educational benefits at the 100% rate.

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.

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.

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.

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

ESSAY PROMPT

Provide an essay about what you learned in the military that has enabled you to excel at the University of Utah without the benefit of full VA educational benefits. (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).