UTDPP1038
Committee on Student Scholarships

Policy Statement

Committee Charge

The Committee on Student Scholarships is a Standing Committee of The University of Texas at Dallas, committee members are appointed by the President.

The Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Office of Financial Aid by reviewing and recommending policy and process changes related to annual and endowed scholarships at The University of Texas at Dallas. The Committee is established to provide shared input on scholarship policies and processes. The Senior Director of Financial Aid (or their designee) will receive input from the committee and have final approval of any policy or process changes in the Office of Financial Aid. The Committee will meet annually to review and discuss any updates to scholarship policies or processes prior to the opening of the new application cycle.

The Committee also acts as the selection committee for all scholarships that require a local selection committee not otherwise specified in the conditions of the program or bequest establishing the scholarship. To support a more efficient and timely process, the Committee will have two Co-Chairs: one faculty member and the Senior Director of Financial Aid or their designee. The Co-Chairs will address the need for process efficiencies as well as the need for appropriate applicant review and to manage the committee’s efforts. In addition to any specific criteria governing awards of competitive scholarships to students, the Committee will consider factors including, but not limited to:

• scholastic records
• achievements in work experiences
• community service
• extracurricular activities; leadership
• surmounting obstacles to the further pursuit of higher education
• socioeconomic background
• educational level
• status as a first-generation college student

Membership

The Committee will be comprised of faculty and administrators to ensure balanced representation and adequate committee support to manage the increased volume of applications received each year.

The Committee membership will include seven faculty and seven administrators. One faculty member from each school will be nominated by the Committee on University Service and appointed by the President. The administrators will include the Senior Director of Financial Aid (or their designee) and representatives nominated to represent Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Budget and Finance. The Provost will provide nominees from these offices for appointment by the President.

Committee members shall be appointed to two-year terms. The terms for appointed members shall be staggered so that no more than one-half of the terms expire in any one year. Members may be reappointed by the President for additional terms upon nomination. If for any reason a committee member resigns, the President shall appoint another individual to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The faculty Co-Chair shall be appointed annually.

Reporting Requirements

Annually, but no later than August 31, the Co-Chairs of the Committee provide the Chief Academic Office and Provost, Office of Development and Alumni Relations and President with a written report of the Committee's activities for the prior academic year.

Responsible University Official (RUO)

The Senior Director of the Office of Financial Aid shall serve as the RUO of this committee.