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
Bernat Family Endowed Fellowship
The Bernat Family Endowed Fellowship (formally known as The Bernat Family Endowed Fellowship in the School of Accountancy) was established in March 2013, and revised in November 2014, then again in March 2022, by Andrew William Bernat, son of Robert J. and Linda J. Bernat. This Fellowship honors the legacy of Robert Bernat and reflects Andrew's desire to support faculty at The University of Akron's Department of Finance and the George W. Daverio School of Accountancy.
Andrew Bernat is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in finance and taxation. Following his graduation from The University of Akron with seven different degrees, including an MBA (Accounting), MTax, and JD, Andrew started his professional career at a major law firm in the Akron area. Andrew is a CPA and an attorney.
The purpose of The Bernat Family Endowed Fellowship is to award a maximum amount of $2,000 to an accounting fellow and a maximum amount of $2,000 to a finance fellow each academic year. The amount of the award may vary depending on the availability of funds.
- In a given academic year, if there is only one eligible accounting or finance candidate, The Bernat Family Faculty Fellowship will only award one $2,000 fellowship. A Fellow award will not be doubled.
- The funds will be used at the discretion of the Fellow to support his or her teaching, research, and service activities.
- The two Fellows will be selected by the College of Business Research Advancement Committee, according to the committee's award criteria.
- If the College of Business Research Advancement Committee dissolves, candidate selection will be made by the Director of the George W. Daverio School of Accountancy and the Chair of the Department of Finance according to their standard awarding criteria.
- Each Bernat Faculty Fellow will produce a one-page annual report to highlight his or her research accomplishments. The report will be shared with Andrew Bernat and may be publicized at various professional events or in publications.