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
Whitt, Mark A. Scholarship Fund
The Mark A. Whitt Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 with a gift from alumnus Mark A. Whitt ’97 for the purpose of offering scholarship assistance to a student exemplifying the qualities of determination, perseverance, and “grit” in his/her pursuit of a law degree.
Whitt grew up in Alliance, Ohio. A classic underachiever, he took no college entrance exams and graduated from high school with a 2.2 GPA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after high school, serving on active duty for two years as an infantryman in the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Ky. Whitt continued to serve in the Army Reserve during his undergraduate studies at The University of Akron, graduating cum laude in 1993. During law school, he served as editor-in-chief of the Akron Law Review and was a member of the ATLA Mock Trial Team. He was hired by Jones Day as a third-year law student, eventually becoming a partner in the firm. In 2012, Whitt founded Whitt Sturtevant LLP, a law firm representing clients in the energy and utility industries from offices in Columbus and Chicago.
Whitt generously has committed to offer $5,000 in scholarship assistance to a full-time or part-time student who exemplifies the qualities of determination, perseverance, and “grit” in his/her pursuit of a law degree. Target candidates for this award include first-generation college graduates, students with learning disabilities, addicts in recovery, single parents, and students who are living with or have overcome similar adversity. Applicants should submit a personal statement explaining the obstacles they have confronted, how they overcame those obstacles, and the advice they would give to an aspiring law student faced with similar obstacles. All personal statements will be held in strict confidence. Whitt will select the recipient based on his/her personal statement and an interview. The scholarship award may be used to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board, all or in part.
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