Overview
The UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Fund provides University Work Force staff pursuing an associate, bachelor's or graduate degree with an opportunity for a textbook reimbursement stipend.
Funding
Funding of the UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Fund comes from contributions through direct donations or employee payroll deductions. Further funding will be provided by periodic spending allocations from the UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Endowment earnings as determined by UWF Foundation policies.
Award Limits
Awards are determined based on available funds. The UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship is an award for up to six hours for the fall, spring, and summer terms. University Work Force staff must apply for the scholarship each semester, but will be limited two consecutive awards with a one semester break before reapplying for two more consecutive awards. Maximum textbook awards will be up to $100.00 per student per term based on credit hours per course.
| Credit hours | Maximum possible awards per course |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | $25.00 |
| 3 | $50.00 |
| 4.5 | $75.00 |
| 6 | $100.00 |
Students are strongly encouraged to rent textbooks to maximize scholarship. Award amounts are based on receipts up to maximum award. For example if an employee were enrolled in 3 credit hours and paid $19.99 for book for a 3 hour course then reimbursement would be $19.99 for a textbook, then the reimbursement would be $19.99. If another employee were enrolled in 3 credit hours and paid $200 for a textbook, the reimbursement would be $50.00 (the maximum allowed for students enrolled in 3 credit hours).
Employees may purchase books anywhere as the scholarship award is a reimbursement.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration, employee must meet the following criteria
- Be employed as University Work Force staff (full or part time employment)
- Be a degree seeking student
- Be enrolled at UWF
Continuing Undergraduate students must have a minimum UWF cumulative GPA of 2.5. Continuing Graduate Students must have a minimum UWF cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Undergraduate Graduate 2.5 3.0
Application Procedure
The UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship application is only available the week following the drop/add week for term 1 (second week of term 1).
Since the University has multiple drop/add periods in a term the application and deadline week is second week of first term start regardless of other drop/add periods i.e. summer has three terms- the application and deadline is after the first week of summer start regardless of other drop/add periods.
The deadline to submit an application is the Friday after the drop/add week for term 1. (This ensures enrollment is validated for scholarship consideration).
Scholarship applicants must submit application and attach the following:
- Textbook receipt(s) for up to 6 hours.
- Required textbooks for up to 6 hours of coursework.
Award Criteria
UWF Cumulative GPA possible points | 4-3.6 3 | 3.59-3 2 | 2.99-2.5 1 | New 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Years of UWF employment possible points | 7+ 3 | 3-6 2 | 0-2 1 | - |
UWF classification possible points | Freshman / Sophomore 3 | Junior / Senior 2 | Graduate 1 | - |
Scholarship status possible points | New 2 | Previously Awarded 1 | Previously Awarded more than once 0 | - |
Personal statement submission possible points | Yes 1 | No 0 | - | - |
Scholarship Awards Committee Process
- Scholarship will be awarded based upon availability of funds. Preference is given to applicants with a total of 7 points or above.
- The Committee will inform each applicant of the final decision via email (approximately ten (10) days after the submission deadline).
- If the scholarship is approved, employees will be required to submit original receipts to the Committee Chair for reimbursement. (Committee Chair will be included in final decision email)
- After receiving receipts, the Staff Senate Treasurer will submit a UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship check request to the Foundation Office for reimbursement.
Scholarship Acceptance
After submitting an application and getting approved, employees must provide original textbook receipt(s) to the UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Awards Committee.
Award funds will be disbursed to a student's Higher One account.
Appeals
- Employees who are denied an award, they may submit a written appeal to the UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Awards Committee within five (5) working days of the date of the denial notice (the appeal may be submitted via email).
- The UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Awards Committee Chair will present the appeal to the Staff Senate Executive Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. All documentation related to the application will be presented to the Executive Board for its consideration.
- The Executive Board will review the appeal:
- If the Executive Board finds the denial was justified, no further action will be needed. The UWF Staff Textbook Scholarship Committee’s denial will stand and the Staff Senate Chair will notify the employee by email.
- If the Executive Board finds that the appeal is justified, it will present a motion to reconsider the denial to the Staff Senate at its next regularly scheduled meeting and present the appeal to Staff Senate. The motion will require a two-thirds majority of those in attendance to overturn the UWF Staff Textbook Committee's decision. The Staff Senate Chair will notify the employee of the Senate's decision by email.