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
Deme Family Scholarship
The Deme Family Endowed Scholarship was established by Katherine D. Oana, a 1956 University of Akron alumna, in honor of her parents, William and Florence Deme, and her sister, Mary D. Goodwin. In creating The Deme Family Scholarship, Mrs. Oana expressed admiration for their values and unfailing belief in the power of education, as well as their industriousness and integrity. With her Master of Science in Education, Mrs. Oana enjoyed a career with Akron Public Schools. She was a lifelong teacher and proponent of education who passed these principles along to her family, including her daughter, Patricia Oana Edwards.
The Deme Family Scholarship was originally established in April 1988 when Mrs. Oana consolidated two separate scholarships: The Mary S. Goodwin Endowed Scholarship Fund (November 1975) and The Mr. and Mrs. William Deme Scholarship Fund (August 1975).
The Deme Family Scholarship was revised in October 2019 but its purpose remains to provide scholarship support (tuition and fees) for °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ students enrolled in the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education and expanded to include students enrolled in the College of Health Professions School of Nursing.
Strong academic performance is a priority for students selected for The Deme Family Scholarship and takes precedence over financial need. Eligible students include sophomore- through senior-level undergraduate students from Summit County, Ohio, majoring in Education or Nursing, and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. First preference will be given to children of Akron Public School teachers. If no candidates meet this criteria, recipients will be selected based on their major in Education or Nursing who live in Summit County. Assuming sufficient funds are in the award account, the annual scholarship will not exceed The University of Akron’s scholarship cap per student. The Deme Family Scholarship is renewable for one additional year, assuming maintenance of a 3.0 GPA. Recipient selection will be conducted by the University Scholarship Committee.
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