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
Verderico, Mary C. Family Endowed Scholarship
The Mary C. Verderico Family Endowed Scholarship was created in 2009 with gifts from the Verderico family in honor of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The family has great appreciation of the central role that The University of Akron has played and the impact higher education has made on their lives. The creation of this scholarship will ensure that the legacy of opportunity experienced by the Verderico family will continue in perpetuity.
Mary C. Verderico was born in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Akron South High School. She was a homemaker and focused intently on raising her family. Mary was widowed in 1954 with seven children, ranging in age from four months to 14 years. She worked tirelessly and endured in holding the family together and seeing them all succeed to adulthood. As her children grew older, Mary entered the workforce, having several jobs before joining The University of Akron's Department of Physical Facilities, working from 1977 until retiring in 1982. She is proud that all her children are graduates of The University of Akron and to date, five grandchildren are graduates of the University, and six are graduates of other universities in Florida, California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The Mary C. Verderico Family Endowed Scholarship was established to provide support to full-time undergraduate students at The University of Akron who are pursuing the completion of their first baccalaureate degree. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding personal characteristics, such as a strong work ethic, integrity, and an ability to lead by example. Consideration should be given to students working while pursuing their degree, and they are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates must present financial need and are eligible for renewal with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Candidates will be nominated by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
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