Scholarships

Scholarships are established through the UVU Foundation and awarded annually in partnership with Financial Aid. This process ensures awards align with donor intent, policy, and student needs.

Once established, scholarships are awarded on a recurring cycle, and donors receive stewardship and updates reflecting the impact of their gift.

Creating a named scholarship allows you to honor a person, family, experience, or value while creating opportunity for students at Utah Valley University. Many donors choose to name a scholarship in recognition of a loved one, a personal journey, or a cause that matters deeply to them.

Scholarship names are established in collaboration with the university to ensure they are clear, respectful, and appropriate for long term use. Our team works closely with each donor to confirm naming details and ensure the scholarship name reflects donor intent while aligning with university guidelines.

Naming a scholarship creates a lasting connection between your generosity and the students whose lives are impacted by it.

Minimum Commitment

All named scholarships—whether endowed or annual—require a minimum commitment of $25,000, which may be fulfilled over a five year period.

Endowed Named Scholarships

Designed to support students in perpetuity, endowed scholarships invest the principal gift and fund annual scholarship awards from investment earnings.

Annual (Expendable) Named Scholarships

Annual scholarships provide support directly to students over a defined period, ideal for donors seeking immediate impact while still honoring their gift.

Scholarship criteria help determine which students are eligible to receive an award. Donors may suggest areas of focus that reflect their interests or values, and our team will help ensure requirements are clear, achievable, and aligned with university policy.

Thoughtfully designed criteria help ensure scholarships can be awarded consistently each year. Some criteria may include academic focus, financial need, community involvement, or other areas meaningful to you.

Our team is happy to help you explore options before any commitment is made.

Common Areas to Consider

To ensure fairness and compliance:

• Donors do not select individual scholarship recipients
• Scholarships must comply with university policy and applicable law
• Certain criteria cannot be included in scholarship agreements
• Awards are made through established university processes

These standards protect both donors and students and help ensure scholarships are awarded equitably and responsibly.

While timelines may vary slightly, the process typically includes:

• An initial conversation with Institutional Advancement staff
• Drafting and finalizing a gift agreement
• Fund activation
• Annual award cycle
• Donor notification and stewardship

We value transparency and meaningful engagement.

Donors may receive:

• Notification when scholarships are awarded
• Periodic reports
• Engagement opportunities
• Recognition consistent with donor preferences and privacy standards

Whether you are exploring options or ready to move forward, our team is here to help you create a scholarship that reflects your values and supports students across the university.

• Start a Scholarship
• Give to an Existing Scholarship
• Contact Our Team

See if your employer will match your donation

Your generosity creates opportunity that lasts far beyond a single student. It strengthens families, communities, and future generations.

While establishing a named scholarship requires a minimum commitment of $25,000, gifts of any amount may be made to support existing scholarships. Many donors choose to support existing scholarship funds.

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If so, you’re eligible to apply for scholarships!

Get started now at uvu.scholarshipuniverse.com

• How do I start a scholarship?
  • To begin, contact Dan Dimond from our Institutional Advancement team at [email protected] or 801-863-5112. Our team will guide you through the process, help clarify your goals, discuss naming and award criteria, and establish the scholarship fund.
• How long does it take to establish a scholarship?
  • Most scholarships are established within a few months, depending on the gift type and required approvals. Our team will keep you informed throughout the process and help set expectations.
• When will students begin receiving awards?
  • Timing varies based on the type of scholarship and when funding is received.
    • Endowed scholarships typically begin supporting students once the endowment is fully funded and invested, often within two to three academic years.
    • Annual scholarships may support students as soon as funding is complete.

• Can I fund a scholarship through multiple payments across a period of time, or do I need to make my payment up front?
  • Many donors choose to fulfill their commitment over multiple years. Our team can help create a payment schedule that works for you.
• What is the difference between endowed and annual scholarships?
  • Endowed scholarships are invested for long-term growth and provide ongoing support to students through annual earnings.
  • Annual scholarships provide direct support to students once the funding is complete.
• Can others contribute to my scholarship?
  • Yes. Friends, family, and organizations can contribute to an established scholarship, helping to increase its impact over time

• Can I choose who receives the scholarship?
  • Scholarships must be awarded through a fair, equitable university process to ensure compliance with university policy and applicable law. While donors do not select individual recipients, you may help shape the award guidelines to reflect your values and priorities.
• What criteria can I include?
  • You may suggest criteria related to academic focus, financial need, academic success, and more. Our team will help refine your criteria to ensure they are achievable, sustainable, and compliant.
• Are there criteria that cannot be used?
  • Yes. Criteria cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or family status, or disability. Our team will help ensure all guidelines align with applicable law and university policy.
• What happens if no student meets my criteria?
  • If no student meets the criteria in a given year, the scholarship may not be awarded at that time. The funds will remain available for future awards. Our team can work with you to adjust criteria if needed to ensure students can qualify in future award cycles.
• Can scholarship criteria change later?
  • Yes. In some cases, criteria may need to be updated to ensure continued impact. Any changes are made thoughtfully in alignment with the original intent of the donor and university policy.

• Will I know who receives my scholarship?
  • Privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), limit the information that can be shared. However, donors receive stewardship communications and reports highlighting the impact of their scholarships.
• Can I meet my scholarship recipients?
  • Opportunities to meet recipients vary by university guidelines and student consent. Our team can help explore appropriate engagement options.
• How will I know that my funds are being used as I intended?
  • UVU carefully manages and monitors all scholarship funds. Donors receive reports and stewardship communications detailing how awards are distributed and the impact they are having on students.

• Can a company create a scholarship?
  • Yes. Businesses and organizations may establish scholarships to support students while aligning with company values and priorities.
• Can scholarships honor someone who has passed away?

  • Yes. Scholarships may be named in memory of a loved one, carefully and respectfully preserving their legacy.

    
    

    MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Information

• Can scholarships be created through estates or planned gifts?
  • Yes. Planned gifts and estate contributions may be used to establish scholarships that support students for years to come. Our planned giving team can guide you through this process. Use the link below to email Vicky Hopper, Direcor of Planned Giving.
    
    

    Email Vicky Hopper