Because we believe in providing opportunities to diverse individuals - especially to those who are not broadly represented our campus - we have launched a new scholarship program.

Scholarships of up to $3,500 each may be awarded to entering freshmen who have been historically underrepresented  on our campus. Recipients may be the first in their family to go to college; students from rural or urban areas; students of color, undocumented students, LGBTQ+ students, or students whose socioeconomic circumstances may put college out of reach.

These students may be eligible for our new Underrepresented Student Scholarship. Scholarship recipients must be seeking an associate or bachelor-s degree, and have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), or 20 ACT composite, or 1020 combined critical reading and math on SAT. Other factors that will be considered are extracurricular activities, evidence of leadership ability, creativity, community involvement, and a history of overcoming adversity.

You must submit the scholarship application and personal statement no later than May 1, 2021, to be considered. We continue to award funds after May 1 as long as available for the 2021-22 academic year.

At The University of Akron, we have worked hard to build an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome, engaged in campus life, and supported in achieving their academic and career goals.  We have been honored with national awards for our commitment to diversity and inclusion, because we believe that a more diverse student body creates a more stimulating and thought-provoking environment for everyone, allows students to tackle problems from different perspectives, and prepares them to succeed in an increasingly diverse world.

This scholarship is renewable for eight consecutive semesters if the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits for all and 12 credits for spring each year AND has a 2.75 cumulative GPA by end of each spring semester.

At The University of Akron, we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. We respect and celebrate our differences and invite you to join us in creating an environment in which we can all excel.

Making excellence inclusive means attending both to the demographic diversity of the student body and also to the need for nurturing climates and cultures so that all students have a chance to succeed.

Inclusive excellence is a key component of a comprehensive strategy for achieving institutional excellence.  This includes the academic excellence of all students in attendance, and concerted efforts to educate and equip them to succeed in a diverse environment.

Your personal statement will help us learn more about your personal and professional goals, significant accomplishments, special circumstances, if any, that you wish the scholarsip committee to take into consideration.  Your work will also demonstrate your ability to organize and express your thoughts.

Please specifically describe in your personal statement how your candidacy aligns with the other criteria considered for this scholarship such as:

• Overcoming special challenges such as financial need/economic hardship, educational deprivation, discrimination, assimilation to a different culture/society, or any other disadvantage, please describe those challenges in your personal statement;
• Discuss school and community involvement/extracurricular activities and service, particularly those activities in which your leadership skills were exhibited; and
• Including any additional factors you would like us to consider in determining your scholarship eligibility such as: First Generation College Attendance; Evidence of Leadership Ability; Creativity; Community Involvement; and if you were able to overcome adversity, how you were able to do it.

By typing in my full name below, I certify to the best of my knowledge the information herein is true.  I understand that any misrepresentation of facts on this application could be cause for refusal of admission, cancellation of admission or suspension from the University if discovered subsequently.

Please direct any questions to admissions@uakron.edu.

You must submit a completed application to The University of Akron before you can apply for the Underrepresented Student Scholarship.  Visit the University of Akron's Admissions website to complete your application today.

www.uakron.edu/admissions/undergraduate