Office of Alumni Relations Application for the Service Member Heroes Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE
Students that are currently serving in the military face many different challenges, sometimes simultaneously, while working towards achieving one’s academic goals. To help these motivated students, the Office of Alumni Relations and the VSC established the Service Member Heroes Scholarship. We strive to encourage our military service members and show support as these students strive to reach their goals of academic success, military success, and graduation.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Service Member Heroes 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 recognizes students who are service members who have faced significant obstacles while attending the U and like Rocky Balboa, refuse to give up. This scholarship will award, at a minimum, one (1) scholarship and up to three (3) scholarships to assist veteran/military students in accomplishing their academic goals. Scholarships will only be awarded to undergraduates who will graduate no later than August 15, 2025. No more than one (1) award will be made to a graduate student.

ELIGIBILITY

• The student must be a veteran/military student as defined by the Veterans Support Center.
• The veteran student must be a current student who is in good standing with the University of Utah and attending full-time during Spring Semester 2025.
• The student must have earned a minimum of 30 undergraduate credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Fall Semester 2024.
• 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 Fall Semester 2024.
• The veteran/military student must have a cumulative 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.

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 on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

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 how you have overcome significant obstacles while attending the U and describe what enables you to be an unstoppable force in pursuing your degree.
(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).