Office of Alumni Relations Application for the service member persistence 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 Persistence 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 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 actively serving/active duty 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 actively serving/active duty student 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 actively serving/active duty student must be a current full-time student in good standing with the University of Utah who will be attending full-time during Spring Semester 2025.
• If an undergraduate, the actively serving/active duty student must have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Fall Semester 2024 and have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater earned at the University of Utah.
• If a graduate student, the actively serving/active duty student must have earned a minimum of 18 credit hours at the University of Utah by the end of Fall 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 MST on 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

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 hardship, which you feel is relevant for consideration of this scholarship (500 word limit).