Utah Valley University launched the Freshman Concurrent Enrollment Merit Scholarship to reward high school students who completed college courses through the university's concurrent enrollment program. Qualifying students can earn up to $20,000 toward their degree through the new initiative, which aims to create a more affordable path for students transitioning from high school to campus.
Tiered Award Structure
The scholarship features a tiered award structure designed to incentivize students to complete more coursework while still in high school. According to the Lehi Free Press, the awards range from $3,500 to $5,000 per year, with the specific amount determined by the number of UVU concurrent enrollment credits a student earned during high school.
Both award tiers are renewable for up to four years. This means that students who qualify for the highest tier can receive a total of $20,000 over the course of their college career. The structure is intended to provide a tangible financial incentive for students considering early college coursework, rewarding those who demonstrate academic discipline before graduation.
Rewarding Academic Discipline
Spencer Childs, UVU's Senior Director of Concurrent Enrollment, said the scholarship is designed to recognize the academic preparedness of incoming freshmen.
"When concurrent enrollment students arrive on campus as college freshmen, they have already proven themselves academically. They come in disciplined, prepared, and eager to advance their education," Childs said.
Childs noted that the university previously lacked a scholarship specifically designed to reward this specific academic effort. He stated that this is the first scholarship at UVU built specifically to reward that effort and expressed optimism that it will encourage more students to begin pursuing college courses early.
Streamlined Application Process
The initiative builds upon the existing UVU Concurrent Enrollment Program, which provides high school students with access to affordable, high-quality college courses. This program is intended to allow students to jump-start their higher education before officially enrolling as full-time college students.
Because all UVU concurrent enrollment students are automatically admitted as UVU freshmen, the application process for the scholarship is streamlined. Students must submit an official high school transcript during their senior year by Feb. 1 to be considered for the merit-based awards.
Pathways to Degree Completion
The scholarship aims to provide a clearer and more affordable pathway for students to complete their degrees once they arrive on the UVU campus. By rewarding the effort put in before high school graduation, the university hopes to increase enrollment in early college programs.
