Supporting Students Through Scholarships

Thank you for considering a gift to the students of Utah State University. Scholarships offer an unparalleled opportunity for deserving Aggies to chart a more certain course. For many USU students, scholarships make the critical difference in completing their degrees.

Named scholarships can pay tribute to a loved one or special faculty member, preserve a family name, or highlight a company’s philanthropy. These scholarships can cover expenses such as tuition, room, and board. Donors may designate the program, department, and college in which the scholarship is awarded, as well as provide specific criteria, such as GPA, financial need, geographic location, and more.

The Benefits of Named Unrestricted Scholarships

Unrestricted scholarships are the most consistently awarded and utilized scholarships available. They have the capacity to help the largest number of students, while providing a legacy of impact that stands the test of time.

When scholarships include restrictions, the pool of students who can benefit from that scholarship shrinks, which lessens the likelihood it can be awarded. Programs, majors, and circumstances also change throughout the years, so criteria placed on a scholarship today may not match students’ needs in the future. Because there will always be students who need financial assistance, unrestricted scholarships ensure they can realize their dream of an education, no matter their choices or circumstances.

Expendable and Endowed Named Scholarships

Expendable named scholarships are awarded for a limited time and the entire amount of the gift is used to fund the award. The gift can be awarded in the year in which it was made, or the donor may specify that a portion of the gift be awarded each year over a set period of years. Expendable scholarships include a gift agreement, signed by the donor and the university, that states the terms of the gift. They can be named by the donor and established with a $10,000 minimum gift, either outright or pledged over a maximum of five years.

Endowed named scholarships are invested in the university’s endowment pool so they can be awarded in perpetuity. Each year, a portion of the earnings — currently 4% of the value of the endowment — is used to fund the award. Endowed scholarships include a gift agreement, signed by the donor and the university, that states the terms of the gift. They can be named by the donor and established with a $25,000 minimum gift, either outright or pledged over a maximum of five years. Invested for a year, $25,000 may generate an annual award of $1,000, depending on the market.

IRS guidelines and Utah State University policy stipulate the following criteria are not permitted in a gift agreement and selection of scholarship recipients cannot be based on:

  • Age
  • Citizenship
  • Disability
  • Ethnicity
  • Family descendants
  • Gender
  • Marital and parental status
  • National origin
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Sexual orientation

Additionally, donors are not permitted to participate in the selection of scholarship recipients.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about scholarships, please contact Associate Vice President of Advancement Services Colleen Hobson at 435-797-1285 or colleen.hobson@usu.edu.