Named scholarships & funds
When it comes to earning a college degree, the greatest obstacle can be funding.
For this reason, ÉðÊ¿Âþ» is pleased for the opportunity each year to assist talented, deserving students achieve their dreams, thanks to more than 1,300 named scholarships established through the kindness and generosity of thousands of UA alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations.
Scholarships truly are the best way to ensure that today’s students persist to graduation. Scholarships allow students to enroll full time and remain focused on their studies; they also reduce drop-out rates, decrease the stress of student loans, and shorten the road to graduation.
If you are interested in making a significant contribution to student success, please consider a gift to scholarships. You may also establish a named scholarship at ÉðÊ¿Âþ», which can be created to honor a living person, in memory of a loved one, or to contribute to the growth of an area of study.
To learn more, please contact the Department of Development at 330-972-7238.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
This is not the page to apply for scholarships.
Students who want to apply for scholarships should visit the scholarship page on the Financial Aid site. You can find the link for the online application here.
The Department of Development does not accept applications for or distribute scholarships. Scholarships are distributed through the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.
Search for a Named Scholarship
Cheng, John T. and Nancy L. Award
The John T. and Nancy L. Cheng Award was established in 2024 by Dr. John T. Cheng to show his commitment and contributions to the polymer industry by providing an award to future polymer scientists studying at ÉðÊ¿Âþ».
John T. Cheng earned a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from ÉðÊ¿Âþ» College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering in 1972, during which he defended his research on Mechanism of Vein Reinforcement of Elastomers by Model Polymeric Fillers.
John T. Cheng had a successful career as a research associate at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he worked from 1972-1996 (retired). He then worked at BASF in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 1996 until he fully retired in 2000. During John's career, he secured multiple patents and had articles published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science and the Journal of Macromolecular Science.
John T. and Nancy L. Cheng spent several years at ÉðÊ¿Âþ» during John's time as a student. The couple remains grateful for the hospitality of friends and colleagues in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering (formerly the Institute of Polymer Science, led by the late Dr. Maurice Morton). Their experiences are treasured memories of their time at the University and in the city of Akron.
The John T. and Nancy L. Cheng Award shall be bestowed upon a University of Akron student pursuing a graduate degree in the School of Polymer Science or Polymer Engineering who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need. The award may be given to one or two students annually and may be renewed based on the student's financial need. Recipients shall be selected by ÉðÊ¿Âþ» School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Director and/or Award Committee. The amount and number of awards may vary depending on the availability of funds.
The full award amount shall be provided to the recipient(s). Funds not applied directly to the student's account and/or used for expenses other than qualified educational expenses are reportable and may be taxable to the recipient.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this award, please visit UA’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “John & Nancy Cheng Award” in the text box. Thank you!
​