Pursuing meaningful goals generally comes with a cost. Whether you are an athlete pursuing a spot on the Olympic team or a traveler attempting to visit all 50 states, significant expenses can come with chasing your dreams. A college education is no different. Earning a degree requires investments of time, energy and finances. Fortunately, many resources are available to help offset the financial cost.
Since its inception in 2002, the University Center Foundation has been committed to addressing the cost of higher education by awarding more than $800,000 in scholarships to University Center students.
I personally understand the impact a University Center scholarship can have. While pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership through the University Center, I was the recipient of UCF scholarships. The scholarships came at critical times financially, but their impact went beyond the financial assistance. They also reminded me that others saw how hard I was working to pursue my educational and career goals. That encouragement was one of the things that kept me going when the pressure of school, two jobs and teenagers at home sometimes felt impossible.
In September, the University Center Foundation kicked off the 2026-27 Scholarship Campaign. We are inviting 156 individuals, businesses and organizations to partner with the foundation to raise $80,000 for student scholarships by May 2027.
Here are a few things to know about the campaign:
Since 2019, the UCF has awarded an average of $48,000 in scholarships each school year.
During the 2025-26 school year, 155 students received scholarship support totaling nearly $99,000. This included 89 concurrent students and 66 traditional students.
One of the UCF’s goals is to provide scholarships covering 100% of fees for every concurrent high school student. The scholarship covers up to nine credit hours per semester. Students are required to apply.
One hundred percent of every gift designated for the scholarship fund goes directly to student scholarships. No fees or other expenses are withheld.
All University Center trustees, foundation members and staff members make contributions to the UCF annually.
More than 45 donors partnered with the foundation in 2025, raising nearly $75,000 for scholarships.
There is a giving level that can fit every donor. Maybe you want to partner at the Supporter level with a $25 gift, or perhaps the Degree Builder level at $5,000 is more suited to you. You can see all the giving levels by visiting www.ucpcgiving.com.
On the other side of every scholarship is a student. Every student has a story. And every story has the potential to change our community and our world.
Thank you for partnering with the University Center Foundation to invest in those stories.
One Community. Countless Possibilities.