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Living or attending school in Arizona entitles you to several scholarships for Arizona students, including the Dorrance Scholarship. Blanketed by dry desert heat in the Southwest, Arizona is the 14th most populous U.S. state with 6.8 million residents.
Arizona’s natural beauty attracts thousands of college students to study near the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, and Monument Valley. Since the University of Arizona first opened in 1885, the state’s higher education has blossomed to 28 public and 13 private colleges.
Whether you prefer small technical schools like Brookline College or prominent research institutes like Northern Arizona University, there’s a diverse learning landscape of top-notch options. In fact, the U.S. News ranked Arizona State University as the 61st best public university nationwide.
Below, we will outline the Dorrance Scholarship available to first-generation students to afford an education at one of Arizona’s top three state universities.
About the Dorrance Scholarship
The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families. It provides financial access and academic support for recipients and enhances college persistence through unique enrichment experiences.
The Dorrance Family established the Dorrance Scholarship Program in 1999 to provide financial and academic support for Arizona’s eligible first-generation college students.
It awards up to 60 scholarships annually to incoming first-year students attending the state’s three public universities:
- Arizona State University (Tempe)
- Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff)
- University of Arizona (Tucson)
The scholarship and program value are estimated at more than $100,000. Scholarships are renewable based on academic achievement and exemplary participation in scholarship program activities.
Program Benefits
Dorrance Scholarship provides a $12,000 scholarship per academic year for four years. The total program is valued at approximately $100,000. However, as a Dorrance Scholar, you will receive more than funding for your college.
The scholarship program will enable you to attend an Orientation and a Summer Bridge experience to prepare for your college academics. Also, you will be able to regularly meet a dedicated advisor. Plus, suppose you need tutoring. The program will schedule the plan for you for free.
Additionally, Dorrance Scholarship designs international travel and innovation experience and cultural enrichment events to help you round out your college experience.
While the award is renewable for a total of four academic years (eight semesters) of funding, note that the scholarship is renewed based on your academic standing and participation in program activities.
Dorrance Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Dorrance Scholarship, you must:
- Be an Arizona resident and current senior at an accredited Arizona high school
- Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted) and have minimum test scores of 1110 SAT (writing score excluded), 22 ACT Composite, 72 CLT, or 1050 PSAT (PSAT scores taken during your sophomore or junior year)
- Be a first-generation college student (neither your parent, stepparent or legal guardian holds a four-year degree)
- Demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA
- Be accepted by one of Arizona’s three state universities (ASU-Tempe, NAU-Flagstaff, UA-Tucson)
- Agree to live in on-campus housing during freshman and sophomore year
Next, as the recipient of the award, you will:
- Sign the Scholar Participation Agreement
- Agree to participate in all aspects of the program and be eligible to travel internationally
- Attend the Dorrance Scholarship Program Orientation
- Successfully complete the Dorrance Summer Bridge Program at your university
On the other hand, to be able to renew the scholarship, you must:
- Attend all program meetings and events
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Study full-time
- Perform volunteer service
- Submit a year-end report
- Complete a FAFSA annually
Dorrance Scholarship Application
To start your application, you must complete your application online via SmarterSelect. First of all, create an account and password. Next, once you have completed the FAFSA, upload the following documents to the database:
- Transcripts
- Test scores
- SAR
If you are announced a semi-finalist, you will have to complete and submit a sample of your writing. Also, make sure your teachers will have submitted their recommendation forms.
If you pass to the next stage, you will be invited for an interview. The interview takes place in Tempe, Arizona, and you will be given a 30-minute time slot.
Once you are shortlisted, you will receive a notification via email. Next, you must attend an all-day orientation and six-week summer bridge program on your university campus.
Important Dates & Timeline
Take note of the important dates below to make sure that you don’t miss out on things:
- Submit FAFSA Application: January 14
- Phase 1 Deadline: February 9
- Phase 2 Deadline: March 9
- Interview: April
- Awards Announcement: April 30
- Orientation & Summer Bridge Program: May & July
Contact Details
Dorrance Foundation for Education
Telephone: 480-405-2410
Email: dorrance@dorrancescholarship.org
Official Website
Visit www.dorrancescholarship.org for more information about the scholarship program. Alternatively, click here to start your application.
