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The UAMS
Non-Resident Diversity Scholarship Program is established with the following
objectives:
1. Assist
educational programs at UAMS achieve established diversity recruitment goals.
2. Increase the
diversity of the applicant pools to UAMS education programs with respect to
race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and geographic origins.
3. Help defray
rising educational costs for UAMS students especially those who are economically
disadvantaged.
4. Increase the
diversity among the Arkansas health and healthcare professions workforce,
especially those serving underrepresented and medically underserved
populations.
Each year, the
Chancellor will approve up to two (2) applications from each of the colleges and
the Graduate School to reduce the tuition of out-of-state students to the
in-state (resident) rate, based upon the criteria established for this program.
The recipient’s residency status will not be affected for admission purposes,
only for tuition cost purposes.
Eligibility to
Apply:
1. The
applicant for the Non-Resident Diversity Scholarship Program (“applicant”) must
plan to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree or post-baccalaureate,
advanced or graduate certificate at UAMS.
2. The
applicant must be accepted by a UAMS college or the Graduate School for the
period for which he/she is applying for the tuition waiver.
3. The
applicant must be enrolled for a minimum of 0.5 FTE (half-time or full-time), as
defined by the program/college to which he/she is accepted.
Application:
1. The
applicant must submit a completed Application (i.e.,
provide a response to each part of the form and complete the racial, ethnicity,
gender and socio-economic portions of the application form).
2. The
applicant must include a 500-word essay describing a) his/her academic
background and professional aspirations, with particular emphasis on challenges
that the applicant has encountered, or continues to encounter; b) the impact
that the tuition waiver would have on his/her ability to fulfill those plans and
aspirations.
3. The
applicant must include two (2) letters of reference from persons familiar with
his/her academic work and professional character. (If the applicant provided
letters of reference as part of an admission packet, those letters may be used
to fulfill this part of this application.
Selection
Criteria:
1. Applicants
must have an excellent academic record that promises a successful academic
career. Since specific tests and other measures of academic performance vary
widely, each college/school will establish written specific requirements for
academic performance and those standards will accompany these program
guidelines.
2. Each
college/school will judge the alignment of the applicant’s academic and
professional goals with the goals of the college/program.
3. Other
important factors include community involvement, and leadership in academic
and/or non-academic settings.
4. Preference
will be given to applicants who a) plan to stay in Arkansas after graduation; or
b) have established ties to the state which increase the likelihood that they
will stay in the state to work after graduation. These ties or connections to
the state should be explained in the application. Applicants who cannot
demonstrate these ties or intentions are still eligible to apply.
5. Being a
first-generation college student will also be considered.
Administration:
Application
Schedule
1. Applicants
will apply to the Dean’s Office of each college according to a published
schedule each year.
2. Typically,
colleges/school will set application deadlines relative to their individual
admissions process.
Number of Awards
1. The Deans
will review applications and identify a maximum of two (2) total applicants each
year that clearly meet the criteria and guidelines set out for the program.
Applicants may be considered from a college’s program(s) administered through
the Graduate School.
2. Awards may
be made in any term during the year.
Award Process
1. The Dean
will submit completed applications and supplementary documents to the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA). If there are not two applicants who are
eligible based on the criteria and guidelines for the program, the Dean will
submit fewer than two applications.
2. The final
deadline to submit applications to the VCAA will be two (2) weeks prior to the
last day to pay tuition per the college granting admission.
3. In addition
to the applicant-provided information, the Dean will provide an explanation of
the following, either by a letter or by completing the UAMS Non-Resident
Diversity Scholarship Program Application Review Form (see Review Form attached
to these guidelines):
a. Recruitment
of the applicant will help meet defined diversity goals within that college and
program.
b. By not
awarding the tuition waiver, the highly desirable recipient is likely to enroll
in a program elsewhere, outside of Arkansas (imminent chance of a lost
recruitment opportunity).
c. Combined
aid/assistance to the recipient will not total more than the estimated cost of
attendance. |
