Donor-Funded Scholarships

These scholarships are funded by alumni, community leaders and individuals who care about your success and the future of the University of West Florida.

Donor and students interacting at the Endowed Scholarship Luncheon — Donors and students interacting at the UWF Endowed Scholarship Luncheon.

Congratulations on being selected to receive a named, donor-funded scholarship! These scholarships are funded by alumni, community leaders and individuals who care about your future and success and the University of West Florida. You have been entrusted with a named scholarship because we know you will represent the University well and take advantage of all the expansive opportunities afforded to you at UWF.

If you have any questions about your donor-funded scholarship, please contact donorrelations@uwf.edu.

As a scholarship recipient, you may be contacted by donor-relations staff members. These are UWF staff members who work throughout the year to secure funding for projects across the University, connect with UWF’s biggest supporters and secure more donor-funded scholarships for students like you.

What can donor relations do for you?

Connect students with their scholarship donors and provide networking opportunities.
Feature students in publications and as speakers at events.
Encourage donors to support talented UWF students.

How can you help donor relations?

Your participation is an important determining factor when donors are asked to continue funding scholarships at UWF. Throughout the year, you may be asked by donor-relations staff to:

Fill out a profile about yourself and provide a photograph.
Write notes of appreciation or film a thank you video for your donor(s).
Have lunch or participate in a social get-together with your donor(s).
Give permission to use your photo, profile and/or letter in University-related publications.

Video Set Up

First, find a space to film that is noise-free and uncluttered. If you can’t film in front of a blank wall, make sure there is little to no clutter behind you.
If you are filming the video from your phone, be sure to film the video horizontally, not vertically. It is best to have your phone propped up on another surface so you don’t have to hold the phone in your hand. This will reduce shaking in the video.
To ensure best visual and audio resolution, try to be between 1 foot and 2 feet away from the camera. Ensure the camera is stable, on an unmoving object and make sure the camera is eye-level with you as you are speaking.
Lighting is key! Try to turn on multiple lights behind the camera or sit in front of an open window for optimal lighting.
Record a test video to evaluate sound and lighting before recording your video. Make sure you can be heard clearly when playing the video back.
Record the video in the highest resolution video available on your device. 4K is great if you have it.

On Camera Tips

Slow down your talking speed and speak loud for the camera. Take pauses and breaths in between sentences.
Smile!--even if it feels weird. It looks great on camera and makes you look less robotic.
Try to dress like you would for a day at work. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie but avoid t-shirts or scrunchies. Present yourself like you would if you were meeting this individual in person.

Uploading Your Videos

Upload your video directly to Google Drive and share it with scholarshipservices@uwf.edu.
Do not email the video or send it through another platform. This may compress the video and result in a lower quality video.

Example Videos

There are many different ways to acknowledge a gift. From a standard letter, postcard, email, phone call or video, the individual should consider the best form of communication. Handwritten thank you notes are popular with most donors. Thank you letters should always be proofed and approved by the Stewardship Coordinator.

Parts of a Thank You Letter

Introduction: Introduce yourself and why you are writing the note.
Acknowledgment of Gift Details: Note the type of gift that was given, when it was given and what it was given for.
Note of Impact: Explain why their gift matters to you. Note how this gift has impacted your educational, career or personal opportunities.
End with a Thank You: Make a personal thank you at the end of the note.

Tips for Writing a Thank You Letter

Ask questions about the donor so you can write meaningful letter. This information can be obtained from the Stewardship Coordinator.
If you don't have nice stationery at home, contact the Office of Development. We will send you envelopes, cards or letterhead for your thank you cards.
We would love for our donors to be able to reach out to you after they receive their thank you card. If you approve of this, make sure you have signed the agreement in Banner denoting that you are willing to have your name and information shared with the donor.
Find more information by reading Thank You Letter 101.

What are donor-funded scholarships?
Donor-funded scholarships are scholarships funded directly by private donors-- not through state or grant funding. Donors can be alumni, corporations, foundations or friends of the University. These individuals donate their own money to support UWF students. These are different from other merit-based scholarships funded by the university.

How was I selected for my donor-funded scholarship?
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships matches students with scholarship criteria determined by donors or by their representatives in consultation with the university. In some cases, the dean of your college may collaborate with faculty and staff in selecting students for scholarships that are specific to a college, school, major or program.

Is your donor-funded scholarship recurring?
Most donor-funded scholarships are not recurring. Continue to login and update your scholarship profile in the scholarship portal located in myUWF. If your scholarship is based on your financial need, you will need to complete your FAFSA every year.

What information is shared with my scholarship donors?
In the scholarship profile within the scholarship portal, we will ask for your permission to use any photos or videos of you. We will not report confidential information, such as your GPA, and we will not share your personal contact information without first contacting you for permission. All other information shared is up to your discretion through thank you cards and other forms of communication.

How can I contact my scholarship donor(s)?
While we cannot share your scholarship donors' personal contact information with you, we are happy to contact them on your behalf at any time if you want to share information with them, such as a note of thanks, a special accomplishment or an invitation to an event in which you are participating. We will cover the mailing costs of any printed materials you want to send to your scholarship donor(s).

How can I find out if I'm eligible for a donor-funded scholarship?
If you have any questions about the awarding of donor-funded scholarships and your eligibility, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Please reach out to donorrelations@uwf.edu.