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UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program

Scholarship, Leadership, Service

About

The Engelstad Scholars Program was established by the Engelstad Family Foundation through an endowment of $12.625 million to UNLV in 2009. At the time, the gift was the largest active scholarship in the university’s history and the largest endowment in the history of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Scholars admitted to the program are required to complete 100 hours of community service annually through one of our partnering nonprofit organizations. The scholarship awards $3,500 per semester for up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters to students who maintain their eligibility.

The mission of the Engelstad Scholars Program is to benefit students in financial need by granting scholarships to individuals enrolled full time in an accredited program and who seek to improve the quality of life of those in the Las Vegas valley through community service initiatives.

The Ralph & Betty Engelstad Scholarship Program was established to afford students an opportunity to use their abilities, talents, and leadership to serve the community; provide opportunities to value and include young people in meaningful acts of citizenship; and provide access to a college education to students with financial need, therefore helping retain them through graduation.

In November of 2009, the Engelstad Family Foundation endowed $12.625 million to UNLV to create the UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program. At the time, the gift was the largest active scholarship in the university’s history and the largest endowment in the history of the Nevada System of Higher Education. About 325 scholars have been funded through the Engelstad Scholars Program.

Application Eligibility

To apply to the program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be admitted to UNLV as a First-Year, Degree-Seeking Student for the Fall 2025 semester. Students with majors in the College of Engineering or the School of Nursing are not eligible for the Engelstad Scholars Program.
  • Have, at minimum, an unweighted 3.25 cumulative GPA from a high school in Southern Nevada. Applicants with less than a 3.25 unweighted high school GPA will not be considered. The average unweighted cumulative high school GPA from the Fall 2024 cohort of Engelstad Scholars was 3.78.
  • Demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are ineligible for the FAFSA, you must demonstrate financial need through the Alternate Need Form.
  • Submit the Engelstad Scholars Program application and supporting materials through Rebel Success Hub by the application deadline, November 1.

Those who are selected from their application materials will move on to the next round, a group interview. Final decisions will be made from the pool of applicants who participate in a group interview.

Application Timeline

  • Aug. 1: Application opens in Rebel Success Hub.
  • Nov. 1: Application deadline.
  • November: Group interviews with selected applicants.
  • December: Selection notifications.
  • January: Deadline to accept a spot in the Engelstad Scholars Program. (Will open to the waitlist if spots become available.)
  • March - April: Engelstad Scholars Program Cohort Welcome (Required of all
    selected applicants.)

The Engelstad Scholars Program is designed to be rigorous and challenging, aimed at providing students with a comprehensive understanding in the areas of self-discovery and community engagement, non-profit sector mastery, community building and networking, effective advocacy and innovation, and workplace readiness and life skills. The intensity and difficulty of the program may require a significant commitment of time, effort, and resources. Students are advised to assess their own readiness and suitability for the program.

Requirements for Engelstad Scholars

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA at UNLV.
  • Enroll and complete a minimum of 12 credits at UNLV each semester.
  • Complete 50 hours of volunteer service at a pre-approved organization each semester (Fall and Spring).
  • Attend all cohort meetings (three per semester).
  • Attend 1:1’s with an assigned Graduate Student Mentor (three per semester).
  • Schedule one academic advising meeting per semester.
  • Complete all online surveys provided by the program (three-five per semester).
  • Complete mid-semester grade reports with faculty for each class enrolled in.

Specific requirements based on academic year:

Freshman
  • Enroll in the First-Year Seminar for Engelstad Scholars. Students with transfer credits will still be required to enroll in this First-Year Seminar.
  • Complete 50 working hours at a pre-approved organization during the Spring semester.
  • Sophomore:
    • Enroll in College of Education’s Leadership Certificate (one class each semester).
Junior
  • Enroll in College of Education’s Leadership Certificate (one class each semester).
  • Complete COLA 402—Internship and Professional Development Course (If approved by the department for academic credit, students will not be required to take this course if it is not degree-applicable.)
Senior
  • Complete capstone project with an assigned non-profit in the Spring semester.
    • Present capstone project at the End of Semester Celebration, the semester of graduation (Fall or Spring).
  • Complete the Executive Mentoring Program.
    • Complete three 1:1’s with an assigned executive leader in the non-profit community in the Fall and Spring semesters (six 1:1’s total).

Want to become involved in the Engelstad Scholars Program? Fill out a form to be connected with the Engelstad Scholars Program alumni network. Connect with us on LinkedIn.

(As of Fall 2024)

Contact

Engelstad Scholars Primary Email

engelstadscholars@unlv.edu