Helping Hand Scholarship Application

Supported by Friends of Irene Fisher and the University of Utah Office of Alumni Relations

Purpose

The “Helping Hand Scholarship Fund” was created in honor of Irene Fisher, founding executive director of the Bennion Center, and her legacy. Its purpose is to provide a “helping hand” to students in need of financial support as they fulfill their community engagement commitments on our campus and in our community. This scholarship aims to eliminate barriers to participation in community engagement, especially barriers that disproportionately affect students of color. Support is provided by the University of Utah Office of Alumni Relations.

Please note that scholarships range from $50-$500 and limited funding is available. Please ask for what you need. Because our resources are limited and we aim to ensure support is given where it is most impactful, we ask that any student completing the application do so with integrity—authenticity to their self and their experiences. Applicants are encouraged to take their time to provide honest responses to each of the questions below. Also, please note that funding for project/program implementation will not be approved.

Recipients are selected who

Have an interest in pursuing community engagement that is limited by financial barriers

AND/OR

Have a demonstrated commitment to community engagement

Preference will be given to students who have a need related to fulfilling academic expenses and/or those currently involved with the Bennion Center. In the event of insufficient funding to meet all requests, preference will be given as noted above.

Please note that you must be enrolled as a full-time student for the semester you are applying. This is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 for graduate students.

Recipients will receive

A scholarship of up to $500 per semester to support the recipient in their community engagement endeavors.

Application Deadline

Fall 2021: Sunday, August 22,2021 (11:59pm)
Spring 2022: Sunday, January 9, 2022 (11:59pm)
Summer 2022: Sunday, May 1, 2022 (11:59 pm)

For more information or if you need accommodations to complete the application, contact:
BobbiJo Kanter, 801.585.9103
Associate Director, Co-curricular Engagement
Bennion Center

Please note that all applications will be reviewed anonymously—names, uNIDs, and contact information will not be shared with the review committee. The Bennion Center's Associate Director and Administrative Assistant will see and use this information to create and award scholarships. Student names and UNIDs may also be shared with the Alumni Association as part of this scholarship partnership.

Applicant Information
*Indicates a required field.

First Name
Last Name
uNID (U of U Student ID)
Major
College
Expected Graduation Date
Student Status Undergraduate Student Graduate Student
Email
Email Confirmation
Phone(e.g. xxx-xxx-xxxx)

Scholarship Application

Why is community engagement important to you?
Please provide a response to the question that best suits your circumstance (please only respond to one question):

1. If you are not currently involved in community engagement, please provide an overview of how you would like to become engaged in the community should financial barriers be reduced/eliminated or

2. If you are currently involved in community engagement, please provide an overview of your current community engagement endeavors (including any current/recent Bennion Center involvement)
How significantly will receiving a scholarship impact your ability or decision to participate in community engagement? Very significantly – I will not be able to engage without a scholarship Significantly – I may not be able to engage, or it will cause a financial burden for me to do so, without a scholarship Less significantly – I will likely be able to engage without a scholarship, but it would be helpful and appreciated Insignificantly – I will definitely be able to engage without a scholarship, but I’m interested in saving money or reducing expenses if possible
In dollar amount ($1 - $500), how much funding would eliminate or reduce your financial barriers to community engagement?

Privately Funded Scholarships, Fellowships, or Other Financial Aid

Certain privately funded scholarships are exempted from the general state law that requires certification of U.S. citizen or lawfully present non-citizen status. If a student graduated from a high school within the state of Utah and is applying for only privately funded awards that are administered by the University of Utah, no certification is required.
Please indicate your high school graduation status I graduated from a Utah High School. I did not graduate from a Utah High School.

If You Marked “I Did not graduate from a Utah High School” please indicate that you accept terms of this application.

Any student who did not graduate from a Utah high school and who receives a scholarship, fellowship, or other privately-funded financial aid administered by the University of Utah is required by state law to certify that they are eligible to receive the scholarship as a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S. The student’s status will also be verified with the Department of Homeland Security. If students do not know whether they are in the U.S. lawfully, they should seek the advice of an immigration attorney before accepting a scholarship award that requires certification and verification.
Student Citizenship Status U.S. Citizen Lawfully Present, Non-Citizen of the U.S.
* I certify under penalty of perjury that I am either a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S. I understand that my status and eligibility for financial aid/scholarship within the U.S. will be verified through the Department of Homeland Security prior to an award of this scholarship/financial aid. This federal agency may have the legal right to share the information with other government agencies.

* By clicking this box, I certify that I understand that the resources funding this Bennion Center scholarship are limited and that, therefore, I have completed this application with information that accurately reflects my current position and respects the other applicants for this award.

The University of Utah is fully committed to policies of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity, and vigorously pursues affirmative action in all programs, activities, and employment with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, and status as a person with a disability. Religion, sexual orientation, and status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era also are protected under nondiscrimination and equal opportunity employment policies. The University seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities.