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
Dukes, John T. Memorial Scholarship in English
The John T. Dukes Memorial Scholarship in English, originally established in 2000 as The John T. Dukes Memorial Essay Prize in Composition and revised in 2021, honors the memory of John T. Dukes, father of University of Akron Department of English faculty member Dr. Thomas Dukes. John T. Dukes was a U.S. Army sergeant and barber whose long-held desire to pursue a degree in higher education was unfortunately prevented due to profound dyslexia. However, the inspiring example of his life led his son to pursue education and change the lives of students at The University of Akron. With this scholarship Dr. Dukes honors the memory of his father and uplifts students achieving their education.
The revision of this fund in 2021 renamed it to The John T. Dukes Memorial Scholarship in English and converted the fund from an award to a scholarship.
Recipients of The John T. Dukes Memorial Scholarship in English shall be full-time undergraduate students pursuing degrees in English. At the time of application recipients must have attained either junior or senior academic standing and carry a 3.0 GPA or higher. Recipients will be selected by the chairperson of the °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ English Department.
​