APPLICATION INFORMATION 

APPLICATION CALENDAR

Applications are available from the WSU Student Portal, from My Student Services. https://applications.weber.edu/studentapps/Default.asp

Applications and essays should be turned in by February 1:

• The WSU Scholarship office and/or by
• Tom Mathews, MSS Committee Chair
  • Professor of Spanish, Department of Foreign Languages
  • Phone: 626-6345, Email: tmathews@weber.edu, Office: EH 434A

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship Committee will meet in February or March to select the scholarship recipient(s). Scholarship funds will be made available to the recipient(s) before the beginning of Fall Semester. See our flyer!

APPLICATION CRITERIA

     The Matthew Shepard Scholarship provides financial assistance to a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other student showing academic excellence and service to the gay, lesbian or bisexual community. Students must be enrolled at WSU, with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

     Recipients should be sophomores at WSU, having completed a minimum of 24-hours of college credits, at least 12 of which must have been earned at WSU.

Submit an application and essay to the WSU Scholarship Office and/or to Tom Mathews, MSS Committee Chair, Professor of Spanish, Department of Foreign Languages (Phone: 626-6345, Email: tmathews@weber.edu, Office: Elizabeth Hall 434A before February 1.

• Please prepare a typed, double-spaced application essay of about 500-750 words addressing applicant's need, academic performance, goals, and involvement in and/or service to the gay, lesbian and/or bisexual community. Be sure to include your name, phone number and email address and mailing address at the top of the essay.

SELECTION PROCESS

Finalist candidates will be interviewed by the Matthew Shepard Scholarship Selection Committee (at least 4 Committee members appointed by the Chair).

The final award decision [among eligible students] will be made by the Selection Committee and will be based on the candidate's interview, essay, and academic performance and promise, as well as service to and involvement in the sexual minority community.

ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOLARSHIP

• Information For Students
  • Cash award: A cash award will be provided to recipient's and the award will be UP TO full time in state tuition and fees for one academic year. The award may be applied to tuition, fees, books, or other expenses. The award is based on eligibility, funds available from endowment and tuition rates. At the discretion of the Matthew Shepard Scholarship Committee, in addition, partial scholarships may be awarded depending on funds available in the endowment and the applicant pool.
  • Term limit: two semesters; reapplication possible, but no automatic renewal.
  • GPA: Students are expected to maintain their GPA while receiving scholarship funds.
  • Meetings with Committee: Scholarship recipients may be asked to meet once a year with the Committee in an effort to share observations, experiences, and collective concerns.
  • Agreement Letter: Students are expected to agree to eligibility requirements in the form of a signed and returned award letter.
  • Ineligibility: In the event a student forgoes his/her eligibility, he/she will return stipend.