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
Rossi, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Scholarship in Business
The Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Rossi Scholarship in Business was established in March 2021 by Stephen, ’77, and Annette, in support of students enrolled in the College of Business and in recognition of The University of Akron’s 150th Anniversary.
Stephen and Annette strongly believe in assisting students who are already helping themselves. The Rossi Scholarship’s goal is to ease the financial burden for deserving, motivated and working students with limited financial resources.
Stephen received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1977 from The University of Akron. He was awarded the Gold Medal from the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Elijah Watt Sells Certificate of Honorable Mention from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for his achievements on the November 1977 CPA exam. Stephen spent the first 12 years of his career at Arthur Andersen & Co., in Cleveland and New York. The remainder of his career was spent in the securities industry, primarily as Senior Vice President and Assistant Controller for Lehman Brothers and Senior Vice President of Accounting and Administration at D.E. Shaw & Co.
Annette is a 1975 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition Education. She worked for Aramark Corporation and Atlantic Health System as a dietitian. Mr. and Mrs. Rossi have three sons, Thomas, Jeffrey, and Gregory and nine grandchildren.
Full-time students enrolled in the College of Business with a minimum 2.75 grade point average are eligible for this scholarship. First consideration will be given to students admitted to the accounting major and who are working a part-time job. Candidates should have financial need and show progress toward degree completion. Students admitted to other business majors may be considered, as long as they meet the above criteria.
Financial need is not necessarily defined by the candidate’s FAFSA Estimated Family Contribution score or other formulaic calculation, but by the candidate’s limited access to financial assistance or having financial assistance that falls short of the total cost of attendance. Recipients of The Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Rossi Scholarship in Business will be selected by the College of Business Scholarship Committee.
​