The Robert and Ellen Thompson Scholarships consist of four unique awards: The Thompson University Preparatory Academy Scholarship, the Thompson Working Families Scholarship, the Thompson Working Families Achiever Scholarship, and the Thompson Working Families Transfer Student Scholarship.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Admitted as a degree-seeking student who will enroll as a full time student
- Have a demonstrated need for financial assistance, a completed FAFSA is required
- Must have applied for all available federal, state and local assistance, work is included
- Each recipient will be required to perform 20 hours of community service per year
Each scholarship has additional criteria listed below.
Thompson Working Families Scholarship
This scholarship was established to assist students who might not be able to attend and finish college because of family financial situations. This scholarship is $5,500 per year funded by the Thompson Foundation, and is renewable for 3 additional years. In addition, GVSU pledges to match at least $5,500 per year of GVSU funds for these students.
- New incoming, first year, student, pursuing a four-year degree
- Considered as a member of a working family, not necessarily urban or poor
- Preference will be given to students with the largest gap between eligible aid and tuition
- Veterans of any full time U.S. or National Guard military service in excess of one year will have the new first year criteria waived and will have special attention in the process
Renewal Criteria: Renewable for three additional years. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher, maintain good standing, meet the University’s standards of academic progress (SAP) and have submitted their verification of service obligation.
Application Process: The application period opens November 1. The deadline to apply is March 1. The scholarship application is available by logging into myScholarships. If eligible, you will be prompted to apply. A completed FAFSA is required.
Final scholarship decisions are made by May 1.
Thompson Working Families Achiever Scholarship
This scholarship was established to assist students who might not be able to attend and finish college because of family financial situations. It is intended for a student not initially selected for the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program as an incoming Freshman, but has demonstrated significant academic progress in their freshman year at GVSU. This scholarship is $5,500 per year funded by the Thompson Foundation, and is renewable for 2 additional years. GVSU also pledges to match at least $5,500 per year of GVSU funds for these students.
- Second-year GVSU student, originally admitted as an incoming Freshman
- Admitted as a degree-seeking, full time student
- Considered as a member of a working family, not necessarily urban or poor
- Preference will be given to students with the largest gap between eligible aid and tuition
- Veterans of any full time U.S. or National Guard military service in excess of one year will have the new first year criteria waived and will have special attention in the process
Renewal Criteria: Renewable for two additional years of undergraduate coursework. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher, maintain good standing, meet the University’s standards of academic progress (SAP) and have submitted their verification of service obligation.
Application Process: The application period opens November 1. The deadline to apply is March 1. The scholarship application is available by logging into myScholarships. If eligible, you will be prompted to apply. A completed FAFSA is required.
Thompson Working Families Transfer Student Scholarship
This scholarship was established to assist students who might not be able to attend and finish college because of family financial situations. This scholarship is $5,500 per year funded by the Thompson Foundation, and is renewable for 1 additional year. In addition, GVSU also pledges to match at least $5,500 per year of GVSU funds for these students.
- New student transferring to GVSU and has completed the equivalent of four semesters and will be pursuing a four-year degree
- Considered as a member of a working family, not necessarily urban or poor
- Preference will be given to students with the largest gap between eligible aid and tuition
- Veterans of any full time U.S. or National Guard military service in excess of one year will have the new first year criteria waived and will have special attention in the process
Renewal Criteria: Renewable for one additional year depending on enrollment history. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher, maintain good standing, meet the University’s standards of academic progress (SAP) and have submitted their verification of service obligation.
Application Process: The application period opens November 1. The deadline to apply is March 1. The scholarship application is available by logging into myScholarships. If eligible, you will be prompted to apply. A completed FAFSA is required.
Thompson University Preparatory Academy Scholarship
Annually awarded to University Prep Academy, University Prep Science & Math, and University Prep Art & Design students who meet the academic and admissibility criteria to GVSU. This scholarship is $4,000 per year funded by the Thompson Foundation. GVSU also pledges to provide additional grant support for eligible students.
Renewal Criteria: Renewable for 3 additional years of undergraduate coursework. Recipients must maintain good standing and meet the University’s standards of academic progress (SAP) and have submitted their verification of service obligation.
Application Process: The application period opens November 1. The deadline to apply is March 1. The scholarship application is available by logging into myScholarships. If eligible, you will be prompted to apply. A completed FAFSA is required.