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
Nelson Family Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
The Nelson Family Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering was established in 2016 in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron by Harvey S. Nelson, co-CEO of Main Street Gourmet, member of the Advancement Council in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, and a 1989 °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ graduate who holds a B.S. in mathematics.
The Nelson Family Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering will assist students pursuing an undergraduate minor* in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. The program will allow select undergraduates to take advantage of the College’s internationally acclaimed programs and increase the number of graduates in the field of polymers. This opportunity supports the University’s mission to both produce a talent pipeline for Ohio industry and to offer students specialized programs of great value.
The Nelson Family Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering will provide a prestigious scholarship annually to five or more undergraduate students at The University of Akron who declare an intention to pursue a minor in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. The recipients of this scholarship will be designated as Nelson Scholars.
Students may apply for the scholarship in the fall or spring semesters, with distributions for either the following fall or spring, as appropriate. In order to apply, students must:
- Be enrolled full time in the Williams Honors College OR have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Be sophomores or juniors, although freshmen and seniors may be recipients when appropriate
- Demonstrate academic achievement in prerequisite introductory courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics (200 level)
- Demonstrate need and merit, with need taking precedence when merit standards are met
The scholarship may be renewed once for a recipient in a subsequent year, subject to recommendation by the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Faculty Committee and/or the student’s ability to meet criteria set by the Committee, however the Committee determines most advantageous. In addition, a scholarship balance may be carried over for one successive year if recommended by the Committee and if funding allows.
The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Faculty Committee will establish protocols for students who wish to apply for the scholarship and will select recipients.
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