Fund Your Future

The Osher Reentry Scholarships supports degree-seeking adult students. This scholarship provides up to $3,000 for the academic year to at least 20 individual scholarship recipients. Preference may be given to applicants who are newly matriculating students and are between the ages of 25-50. Osher Reentry Scholars may be eligible to renew their scholarship in subsequent years.

Application criteria include:

• A full or part-time student seeking your first bachelor’s degree.
• Taking at least one class face-to-face at University Center in Sioux Falls.
• Have a cumulative gap in your education of five years or more.
• Demonstrating financial need. FAFSA results will be reviewed. Personal and situational factors as demonstrated in the scholarship essay will also be considered.

This scholarship is open to current University Center undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.  It is awarded for a single year, but recipients are encouraged to reapply the following year.

Application criteria include:

• Taking at least one class face-to-face at the Univervisty Center location.
• Full time or part-time student are eligible.
• Demonstrate financial need.  FAFSA results will be reviewed and personal and situational factors will also be considered.
• Need to be enrolled in a degree program offered at the University Center location.
• Not automatic, however you may reapply every year.

The Lifelong Learning Scholarship is designed for part-time adult learners with a gap of two or more years in their education. The scholarship will award $1,200 to $3,000 as a voucher that is valid for up to six years. Depending on the award amount, there may be limits to the total that can be used in a single semester. You can use the award at your own pace and even have the option to stop out of classes and return later – your scholarship will be waiting for you.

Application criteria include:

• Be pursuing your first college degree.
• Have a cumulative gap in your education of two years or more.
• Demonstrating financial need. FAFSA results will be reviewed, and individual circumstances will be taken into consideration.
• Preference will be given to students who intend to attend part-time.

This scholarship is an endowment to honor the late Donna Ohling, a former training officer and beloved family member of the First National Bank in Sioux Falls. Donna was a student at University Center; this scholarship is designed for adult learners like her. Two scholarships up to $1,900 will be awarded. Preference may be given to employees of First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

Application criteria include:

• Non-traditional, part-time students age 24 or older.
• Enrolled in good standing.

This non-renewable scholarship for $500 is open to all UC students. In addition to completing a scholarship form, applicants whom the scholarship committee deems eligible may also be contacted to submit a brief essay about credit unions.

Application criteria include:

• Current and continuing UC students.
• Degree-seeking students.
• Demonstrate financial need.

Robert and Dr. Judy Nissen valued education and were sensitive to the unique challenges women face in the workplace. At age 29, Dr. Judy Nissen was widowed with two little girls when she decided to go back to school and earn her Ph.D. She eventually became the Director of the Center for Public Education, which is now University Center. Dr. Nissen retired in 2001, but her commitment to adult education continues with this $500 scholarship.

Preference will be given to women; however, men who fit the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Selections are based heavily on career goals and financial need.

Application criteria include:

• Students age 24 and older.
• Degree-seeking students.
• Earning a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Demonstrate financial need.

The application form for the Robert and Dr. Judy Nissen Scholarship is available through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation around December 15.  Typical application deadline is April 15 each year.