Scholarship for Inclusion and Diversity at Wayne College (F)

The Scholarship for Inclusion and Diversity at Wayne College was established in May 2021 by John and Judy Kropf to assist lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) students’ access to higher education opportunities.

The University of Akron Wayne College is a place of welcome and opportunity to all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, or family situation. Often, students in one or more of the previously listed categories face severe financial need and are less likely to receive assistance from family members. According to the Point Foundation, 83-percent of LGBTQ+ students pay for school themselves compared to 53-percent of their non-LGBTQ peers. Minus parental support (and parents’ personal/financial related information) when applying for financial aid via the F AFSA, LGBTQ+ students may have little to no access to federal aid, such as grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. Often, when LGBTQ+ students do access financial assistance, they tend to rely on credit cards to cover educational expenses. Accordingly, increasing numbers of LGBTQ+ students within our community require additional scholarship and financial support as they pursue Wayne College degrees.

The Scholarship for Inclusion and Diversity at Wayne College will be awarded to undergraduate sophomore through senior level students pursuing degrees at Wayne College. Students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) and maintain it to be considered for scholarship renewal. Applicants must complete a personal essay on how this scholarship would help them achieve their educational aspirations. It should include a discussion of LGBTQ+ community involvement, leadership ability, and extracurricular activities in support of their academic goals. Candidates must be enrolled at UA Wayne College as a traditional, non-traditional, or transfer student who has completed at least two semesters or a minimum of 12-credit hours and demonstrate a financial need.

Recipients will be identified and selected through the Office of Financial Aid at Wayne College. Timing of scholarship distributions and award amounts will be determined as funds are available.