July 14, 2004

Starting Monday, July 19, University of Houston staff members can begin applying online for the Staff Tuition Scholarship Program.

The program provides non-probationary, full-time, benefits-eligible staff employees up to $750 per semester in tuition scholarships. For the program’s first year, $300,000 has been set aside to fund these scholarships, which are available on a first-come, first serve basis.

Staff scholarships are only applicable toward courses at UH’s main campus and all applicants must meet the university’s admission requirements.

Applications and additional scholarship information can be obtained by visiting UH’s Human Resources Web site at www.uh.edu/hr, or by calling the Human Resources Training Section at (713) 743-5774.

Staff members who receive scholarships will immediately be able to apply the funds to their academic endeavors. Letters indicating the procedures necessary in claiming funds will be sent to all scholarship recipients.

UH President Jay Gogue first addressed the issue of staff scholarships at Staff Council’s 2003 Fall Forum. During the council’s 2004 Spring Forum in March, he announced that funds had been set aside and that a program was being developed.

In late April, the initial draft of proposed policies was submitted to the Office of Policies and Procedures. Those who collaborated on this document were representatives from Staff Council, the Human Resources Department, Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and the Office of Student Financial Services. (These representatives will meet annually to review the scholarship program.)

Division administrators and college deans then reviewed the proposed policies before forwarding them to Gogue and his cabinet for final approval.

The Staff Tuition Scholarship Program policies soon will be added to the university’s Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures and staff members can review them online at www.uh.edu/mapp/.

UH’s Staff Council had long been a proponent for a staff scholarship program and current council president, Angie Shortt, said that its implementation is a win-win situation for the university and its staff.

“This new scholarship program will allow more staff members to take advantage of furthering their education at a place they are already familiar,” Shortt said. “What better way for the University of Houston to increase staff affinity with the university than by being a financial partner with them in their education? As a staff member, putting one’s self in the position of a student adds so much more perspective and I think makes us more empathic to student needs and concerns.”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu