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
CeteraNext Financial Planning Scholarship, Sponsored By Impel Wealth Management
Caring Cetera developed the CeteraNext Financial Planning Scholarship (formerly known as the Caring Cetera Diversity in Financial Planning Scholarship) at The University of Akron in March 2021 to increase awareness of the financial advice profession, help more young people become financial planners, and advance underrepresented groups in the profession. The scholarship was revised in 2024 to update the scholarship name and candidate criteria.
Caring Cetera is a non-profit founded and led by financial professionals affiliated with Cetera Financial Group, a retail financial services firm. Caring Cetera responds at local levels to offer community support.
Sponsored by Impel Wealth Management: Certified Financial Planner Jesse Hurst, CFP®, AIP® is Founder, Senior Wealth Manager, and CEO of Impel Wealth Management in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and has been a founding sponsor of the Caring Cetera Financial Planning Scholarship. Impel Wealth is committed to providing service and support to the next generation of financial wealth management. Jesse has more than 30 years of experience in investment portfolio management, retirement income planning, and estate planning. Jesse is also a proud alumnus of The University of Akron. Since 2018, Jesse has been named a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for the State of Ohio by Forbes Magazine. He has also served as president of the Financial Planning Association’s Northeast Ohio Chapter, is on the Board of Directors of Diversitas, and has served on Cetera Advisors’ President’s Advisory Council since 2004.
It is the preference of Caring Cetera that in awarding the CeteraNext Financial Planning Scholarship, the University first matches it to candidates from underrepresented groups by considering the following criteria: financial need/economic background; first generation college attendance; evidence of leadership ability; extracurricular activities; creativity; community involvement; and students with a history of overcoming adversity.
Continuing and transfer students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the College of Business and admitted into the financial planning major are eligible for consideration. Candidates must be enrolled full-time and in good standing with the University.
Only students in the College of Business and approved by the College of Business Scholarship Committee will be eligible for consideration, provided they have met the above criteria and the requirements the College deems necessary to be considered for college scholarships. Applicants must have also met the requirements demanded by the financial planning major.
This scholarship supported by Caring Cetera will provide a $5,000 scholarship to each recipient, and the scholarship may be renewable if the recipient continues to meet all the above stated criteria and is deemed eligible to receive scholarship support.
Without seeking the input from Caring Cetera or Impel Wealth, The University of Akron’s Department of Finance Scholarship Committee shall select the scholarship recipient. Caring Cetera will receive the scholarship recipient name and contact information upon selection to explore possible mentorship and internship opportunities.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this scholarship, please visit °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “CeteraNext Scholarship” in the text box. Thank you!
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