GV Charter Schools Alumni Scholarship + UPrep Alumni Scholarship
Grand Valley sees every student in its charter public schools as a member of the Laker community. In order to support their lifelong success, the university and the GVSU Charter Schools Office strives to develop new opportunities that help learners reach their full potential.
In 2022, Grand Valley established the GV Charter School Alumni Scholarship as a new support opportunity available to any undergraduate student enrolled at GVSU who also graduated from a charter public high school that is authorized by GVSU. Through the scholarship, students will be able to receive additional financial assistance to help them successfully advance in their studies and career preparation.
Additionally, the GVSU CSO also created a distinct UPrep Alumni Scholarship for students who specifically graduated from of the GVSU's three Urban High School Academies in Detroit that annually matches the GV Charter School Alumni Scholarship.
Scholarship and Award Overview
GV Charter School Alumni Scholarship Qualifications
Scholarship recipients must be a graduate of a charter public high school authorized by GVSU (see all GVSU-authorized charter schools). They must be an undergraduate student enrolled for 12 credit hours or more in any course of study and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Recipients can enter GVSU directly from high school or as a transfer student.
GV Charter School Alumni Scholarship Amount
Scholarship recipients can receive $1,000 each year for a maximum of 8 semesters (possible maximum of $4,000 awarded).
GV UPrep Charter Schools Alumni Scholarship Qualifications
Award recipients must be graduates of one of the three UPrep charter high schools in the Detroit that GVSU authorizes: University Preparatory Academy High School, University Prep Science and Math High School, or UPrep Art & Design High School. They must be an undergraduate student enrolled for 12 credit hours or more in any course of study and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Recipients can enter GVSU directly from high school or as a transfer student.
GV UPrep Charter Schools Alumni Scholarship Amount
Award recipients can receive $1,000 each year for a maximum of 8 semesters (possible maximum of $4,000 awarded). When combined with the GV Charter Schools Alumni Scholarship, a UPrep graduate could earn up to $8,000 in scholarship award.
“Being a charter school alumnus has aided me a lot during my time at GVSU. It has helped me make connections, both professionally and socially, and has directly benefited my studies. Now, thanks to this scholarship, it is helping with the financial stress of college too.”
—
Kejuan Farrell-Bey, University Prep Science and Math High School alumnus
Your Scholarship Contact
Have questions about the scholarship and award? Your primary contact will be Barry "Dr. B." Hall II, the director of charter-through-college programs. Dr. B. and his staff are here to support all of your scholarship needs as well as help you with anything else you need while you are on campus.
You can reach Dr. B. at [email protected] or via his office phone at (616) 331-2240
[1667480242].jpg)
Barry "Dr. B. Hall II
FAQs
When will the scholarships be available to me?
Both scholarships were first available to students starting in the Fall 2022 semester. Students who qualify will see the scholarship awards they are eligible for automatically added to their financial aid package overview.
Do I have to apply for either scholarship?
No. Your application and enrollment to GVSU serves as your application. The scholarships that you are eligible for will automatically renew as long as you continue to meet the qualification requirements.
Are graduate students eligible for the scholarships?
No. The scholarship and award only apply to undergraduate students.
Are students who transfer from another college/university eligible for the scholarships?
Yes. Students who transfer to GVSU can receive a prorated scholarship based on their remaining undergraduate studies. For example, a transfer student who completed two years of undergraduate studies at a community college would be eligible to receive the GVSU Charter Alumni Scholarship for two years. Depending on where that student attended high school, they may also be eligible to receive the UPrep Alumni Scholarship for those two years too.
Am I eligible for the scholarships if I completed 8th-grade at a GVSU charter school, but didn't graduate from a GVSU charter high school?
No.
Why is there only a UPrep Alumni Scholarship? Why not one specifically related to my charter high school?
Based on Michigan law regarding charter public schools, the University Prep Schools' charter contract allows additional flexibility regarding student support opportunities, which includes scholarship development.
What happens to my scholarship if my charter high school is no longer authorized by GVSU? Am I eligible?
Scholarship eligibility is independent of GVSU's regulatory oversight once the scholarship begins. This means that only students from current and future GVSU-authorized charter high schools are eligible. Once a school is no longer authorized by GVSU, future alumni are now longer eligible but existing scholarship awards will be honored.