Named scholarships & funds
When it comes to earning a college degree, the greatest obstacle can be funding.
For this reason, The University of Akron is pleased for the opportunity each year to assist talented, deserving students achieve their dreams, thanks to more than 1,300 named scholarships established through the kindness and generosity of thousands of °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations.
Scholarships truly are the best way to ensure that today’s students persist to graduation. Scholarships allow students to enroll full time and remain focused on their studies; they also reduce drop-out rates, decrease the stress of student loans, and shorten the road to graduation.
If you are interested in making a significant contribution to student success, please consider a gift to scholarships. You may also establish a named scholarship at The University of Akron, which can be created to honor a living person, in memory of a loved one, or to contribute to the growth of an area of study.
To learn more, please contact the Department of Development at 330-972-7238.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
This is not the page to apply for scholarships.
Students who want to apply for scholarships should visit the scholarship page on the Financial Aid site. You can find the link for the online application here.
The Department of Development does not accept applications for or distribute scholarships. Scholarships are distributed through the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.
Search for a Named Scholarship
DiGirolamo Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The DiGirolamo Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established in June 2022 by Mr. Vincent A. DiGirolamo and his family in memory of their beloved family members.
In April 2001, Mr. DiGirolamo retired as vice chairman from National City Bank (now PNC). His professional career in banking began in 1960 as a collector in the loan department. He graduated from Ohio University in 1959 and from Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1973. Mr. DiGirolamo has served as Chair of the Hiram College Board of Trustees, and he is a former member of The University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors. He serves on the College of Business Advancement Council and on the ZAC Athletics Advisory Board. Mr. DiGirolamo was inducted into the College of Business Honorary Society, Beta Gamma Sigma, and he received an Honorary Alumni Award from The University of Akron in 1999.
Mr. DiGirolamo met his beloved wife, Nancy, at a social event during their college years at Ohio University. In 1958, they married in Nancy's hometown of Columbus, Ohio. She enjoyed teaching all subjects in elementary education and spent most of her career at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. She became a stay-at-home mother to raise their children, Alan, David '87, and Annette '81.
The DiGirolamo Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship will serve as a tribute for the family. Recent family memorials include Mr. DiGirolamo's wife, Nancy, on November 25, 2021, and son, David, on December 22, 2017, and on January 13, 2015 daughter-in-law, Jennifer '13, (Alan). They are missed dearly, and their legacies will always be remembered by family and friends.
Eligible students must be working towards an education degree at The University of Akron. Preference will be given to full-time students with the greatest financial need and a minimum high school (for incoming freshman) or current college grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. This scholarship is renewable and open to undergraduate and graduate students at °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ. The Office of Student Financial Aid will select the recipients annually. Multiple students may receive a scholarship as funds are available.
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