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
Keene, Barbara Horner Endowed Scholarship in Education
The Barbara Horner Keene Endowed Scholarship in Education was established in December 2004. Mrs. Keene holds a B.S. from Purdue University and an M.S. from The University of Akron. Her work at Purdue was in chemical engineering and comprehensive science. While at The University of Akron, she earned teaching certificates for K-12, special reading, English, chemistry, math and physics, as well as certificates for curriculum supervision, principal and superintendent of schools.
With another experienced teacher, Mrs. Keene started the Learning Center Inc., a remedial clinic and consulting firm that developed, wrote and edited many books, films, tapes, games and puzzles to enhance learning. Among the company's products were the Britannica Reading Achievement Program, teachers’ manuals for the Holt Basic Reading System, and manuals for 12 units of basic training for the U.S. Women’s Air Force. Mrs. Keene was also a teacher and administrator for Portage County Schools in Ohio.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student in the College of Education with above average academic standing, financial need, and who plans a career as an elementary or reading specialist teacher. The recipient will be chosen by the College of Education’s Office of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Office of Financial Aid.
Mrs. Keene previously donated to The University of Akron an extensive collection of elementary schoolbooks dating back to the 1800s. As a condition of receiving the scholarship, the recipient must incorporate these books in his/her studies in some way. They can be used as reference materials or as a study topic for a paper, for example.