Undergraduate Student Scholarships
The Gift of Knowledge
Scholarships have a tremendous impact on the students who receive them and the donors who give them. Beyond the financial assistance, scholarships give students validation that their academic achievements are worthwhile. They give donors the knowledge they have made a difference in students’ lives.
There are few gifts more valuable than the gift of education. Scholarship funds are a key component of the University’s efforts to help students succeed.
Funds can be established in honor of, or in memory of, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a student, a faculty member, or a mentor. Additionally, many companies create scholarship funds to help increase their corporate presence at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Scholarships have a tremendous impact on the students who receive them and the donors who give them. Beyond the financial assistance, scholarships give students validation that their academic achievements are worthwhile. They give donors the knowledge they have made a difference in students’ lives.
Two Types of Scholarships
- Endowments
Endowed scholarship funds are designed to be permanent and perpetual and can be created with gifts totaling a minimum amount of $10,000, contributed in full at the outset or with an initial commitment that is added to over time until the endowment level of $10,000 is attained. The principal of the fund is invested to produce income, and an annual award is made to a student/s. The principal remains untouched, so the endowment can last into perpetuity. Additional gifts to the fund may be made at any time.
- Expendable Fund
Donations of less than $10,000 are normally designated as expendable funds, as the scholarship is discontinued once all the funds are used. However, donors are strongly encouraged to continue their scholarships through annual donations. Unlike an endowed scholarship described above, an annual scholarship is not a permanent fund and is awarded only as long you (or others) choose to contribute to the fund.
OR Give to an Existing Scholarship
You may find that a scholarship has already been established for your favorite professor or friend, or one that matches your interests. The Foundation Office can help you determine if there is an existing scholarship that you may like to contribute to.
Establishing an endowment at the University of Nevada, Reno creates a legacy with the power to change lives. When you create an endowment, you build a permanent resource that makes a difference now and for generations to come. It can be the most important philanthropic decision of your lifetime.
If you would like to establish a scholarship at the University of Nevada, Reno and participate in creating futures, we invite you to contact the University’s Foundation at (775) 784-1352 or giving@unr.edu.
To learn more about endowments at the University, click here to see a PDF of the brochure, Endowing the Future of the University of Nevada, Reno.