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
Kenyon, Robert G. Endowment for ZipAssist
The Robert G. Kenyon Endowment for ZipAssist was established in 2023 by Mr. Robert G. Kenyon Jr., an alumnus of The University of Akron. Mr. Kenyon has an affinity for his alma mater and a deep commitment to giving back. He has demonstrated his passion for both through a lifetime of philanthropy and volunteerism with organizations such as the Boy Scouts, his church, VITA (income tax assistance for the elderly), and ZipAssist at The University of Akron.
Mr. Kenyon is especially dedicated to ZipAssist, which provides emergency finances, food, clothing, and even temporary housing to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ students who otherwise have nowhere to turn. Since 2019, thanks to his generosity, ZipAssist has helped deserving students stay enrolled and work toward degree completion. Mr. Kenyon also has directed support to °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ's Campus Cupboard, and he funded the creation of a campus community garden in 2022. The garden yielded a harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables for °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ students who struggle with food insecurity.
Born and raised in Geneva, Ohio, Mr. Kenyon earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The University of Akron in 1981. Prior to attending °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ, he completed an associate degree at Lakeland Community College in 1978. Mr. Kenyon spent his career working in the chemistry field and retired as Senior Research Chemist from Ricerca Inc. in 2001.
This endowment was created as part of the We Rise Together Campaign for The University of Akron.
Distributions from The Robert G. Kenyon Endowment for ZipAssist will be used at the discretion of the program's leader, who at present is ZipAssist Director Mrs. Alison (Ali) E. Doehring. She (or future program leaders) can request that distributions be placed into a ZipAssist account and used for any program purpose (emergency funds, Campus Cupboard, operations, etc.) that advances the program's important work.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this fund, please visit °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Kenyon ZipAssist Endowment” in the text box. Thank you!
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