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
Smith, Dean E. Scholarship
The Dean E. Smith Scholarship was established by Dean Smith for the benefit of students at The University of Akron who are members of the Ohio Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
Dean Smith ('54, '72) pledged Phi Delta Theta while attending The University of Akron as an undergraduate student and remained involved with the fraternity for the rest of his life. While in college, Mr. Smith was the business manager of the Buchtelite and included on the list of "Who's Who" at the University. After graduating in 1954, Mr. Smith proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for more than 20 years at Ohio Bell in Akron, and during that time, attended The University of Akron School of Law in the evenings. He went on to establish a private practice as an estate planning attorney and served as a good friend and advisor to the University for many years.
The Dean E. Smith Scholarship shall be awarded by the scholarship committee of the Ohio Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, which will provide recipient names and scholarship amounts to the University. In the event that the Ohio Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Theta ls unable to select recipients, the responsibility will be assumed by the University Scholarship Committee. Scholarship assistance may cover all or part of tuition, fees, books and room and board.
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