Office of Alumni Relations Application for the Undergraduate Veteran Volunteerism or Engagement Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE
It is amazing that our student veterans continue to have a propensity for public service stemming from their military service. When they engage in volunteerism or participate in campus activities outside of the classroom, the contributions made to the campus community’s understanding and support of those who served in the military is priceless. With this in mind, the Office of Alumni Relations and the VSC established the Undergraduate Veteran Student Volunteerism or Engagement Scholarship. We strive to encourage our veterans and show support as these students strive to reach their goals of academic success, making a difference on campus or local community, and graduation.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Undergraduate Veteran Student Volunteerism or Engagement Scholarship recognizes undergraduate student veterans whose volunteerism has contributed to the campus or local community in a substantial way or whose significant engagement in campus activities outside of the classroom has helped the campus community better understand and/or appreciate military-connected students. The volunteerism can include, but is not limited to, involvement with an office or event in the VSC, on campus, or community organization, activity, or initiative, and the engagement can include participating in virtual or in-person campus events. This scholarship will award one (1) to two (2) scholarships to assist veteran students in accomplishing their academic goals.

ELIGIBILITY

• The student must be a veteran student as defined by the Veterans Support Center.
• The veteran student must be a current undergraduate student in good standing with the University of Utah and will be attending full-time during Spring Semester 2025.
• The veteran student must have earned a minimum of 15 undergraduate credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Fall Semester 2024.
• Must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater at the University of Utah.
• The veteran student must have demonstrated a significant commitment to volunteering on the U campus, in our local community, or a significant level of engagement in campus activities.
• While the veteran student must demonstrate significant merit, financial need may also be considered.

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 MST SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025.

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

ESSAY PROMPT

Provide an essay about how what you learned in the military inspired you to continue serving others through volunteerism at the University, for a veteran, or in our local community and the impact your volunteerism has had OR about your significant engagement in campus activities outside of the classroom has helped the campus community better understand and/or appreciate military-connected students. (500 word minimum – 1,000 word maximum).

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