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Diversity + Inclusion Scholarships

Scholarships are offered through the Office of Diversity + Inclusion

Diversity + Inclusion Scholarships


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Apply for Diversity + Inclusion Scholarships

Several scholarships are available through the Office of Diversity + Inclusion. Learn more about each of these below.

To apply for these scholarships and see all the scholarships ESU offers, visit the Scholarship Page.

Apply for these + other ESU scholarships

Emporia Legacy Connection Scholarship

Purpose:

Established in 2004 by the Emporia Connection Alumni Chapter, and amended in 2008, 2014 and again in 2016, this scholarship is awarded to entering freshman and/or transfer students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who write a 500-word essay addressing "What impact will the scholarship have on my life as an ESU student and on my future?" with consideration given to "Legacy" applicants, students who had family members graduate from ESU. The Emporia Connection Legacy Scholarship was originally established to assist African American students attending Emporia State University. However, in compliance with Federal Law, the scholarship may be awarded to any student who meets the scholarship criteria, regardless of identities.

This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Eligibility:

The Emporia Connection Legacy Scholarship was originally established to assist African American students attending Emporia State University. However, in compliance with Federal Law, the scholarship may be awarded to any student who meets the scholarship criteria, regardless of identities.

Scholarship Criteria:

  1. Students must be entering freshmen or transfer students.
  2. Students of any major may apply.
  3. Students applying must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  4. 500-word essay addressing what impact the Emporia Connection Legacy Scholarship will have on your life as a student of Emporia State University and on your future.

Charles and Toy Colbert Scholarship

Established in 1984 by Charles Colbert and Toy Caldwell-Colbert, this fund provides annual scholarship awards to outstanding student leaders participating in the Black Student Union. The recipient must demonstrate active involvement and qualified leadership in promoting and supporting the best interests of the African American students with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Selection and Timeline:

The recipient will be chosen by a scholarship selection committee comprised of university representatives. Each scholarship applicant will be asked to participant in an interview. The applicants will be informed by written notification and e-mail of the award selection.

The scholarship recipient will be acknowledged during the Minority Graduation.

Scholarship Criteria:

  • Complete scholarship application,
  • maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative gpa,
  • be enrolled full time at ESU for 2020-2021 academic year and
  • be an Active leader and member of the Black Student Union.

Advancing Indigenous Presence Scholarship

Established in 2022 by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at ESU through a partnership with the Advancing Indigenous Presence Initiative, the Emporia State University Foundation and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support for full-time, degree-seeking Indigenous students at Emporia State University.

All students who complete the Emporia State General Scholarship Application and who meet eligibility requirements will be considered for this scholarship.  There is no additional application to complete.


Lena Rios Memorial Scholarship

Purpose/Background:

Established in 2016 by J.D. Rios to honor his mother, the purpose of this non-endowed fund is to provide scholarship assistance to Emporia State University undergraduate students who have graduated from a high school in Wyandotte County, Kansas, and who share the donor's passion for advancing diversity and inclusion at ESU.

This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Scholarship Criteria

  1. Students who have graduated from a high school in Wyandotte County, Kansas; and
  2. Students who share the donor’s passion for advancing diversity and inclusion at ESU.

Latino Legacy Scholarship

Purpose:

Established in 2016 by Friends Inspiring Future Hispanic Action (FIFHA), and amended in 2017, the purpose of this non-endowed fund is to provide scholarship assistance to undergraduate students who have completed the scholarship application titled "FRIENDS INSPIRING FUTURE HISPANIC ACTION (FIFHA) LATINO LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP," if available; and are either an incoming freshman, incoming transfer student or current student; have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5; and have written a 500-word essay addressing what impact the Latino Legacy Scholarship will have on your life as a student of Emporia State University and on your future, including previous experiences with and contributions to the Hispanic community.

This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Scholarship Criteria:

  1. Applicants must be entering freshmen, transfer, or current students at Emporia State University
  2. Students of any major may apply
  3. Students applying must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.
  4. Attach an academic transcript.
  5. 500-word essay addressing what impact the Latino Legacy Scholarship will have on your life as a student of Emporia State University and on your future. Include previous experiences with and contributions to the Hispanic Community.

Black Student Union

Purpose:

Established by representatives of the Black Student Union in 1977 and amended in 2021, the purpose of this fund is to provide scholarship assistance to Emporia State University students who are active and financial members of the Black Student Union; have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0; have submitted one letter of academic reference; and have written a two-page, typed essay on “The Importance of African American Student Leadership at a predominantly white institution.”

This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Scholarship Criteria:

  1. Be an active and financial member of Black Student Union
  2. Submit an application
  3. Enrolled in Emporia State University during the upcoming academic school year
  4. Cumulative college grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (transcripts required)
  5. 1 letter of academic reference required
  6. 2 page typed essay on "The Importance of African American Student Leadership at a predominantly white institution"

My Dream, My Future Scholarship

Purpose/Background:

Established in 2019 by the Beta Nu Chapter of Kappa Delta Chi, the purpose of this fund is to provide scholarship support to undergraduate students who advocate for or identify as Dreamers; that is, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. First preference shall be given to students who report being born outside the United States and brought to the United States as children. Second preference shall be given to students who have a history of advocating for inclusive and equitable treatment of those born outside the United States and brought to the United States as children.
This scholarship has a unique application, which eligible students will see in their task list after completing the Emporia State University General Scholarship Application.

Scholarship Criteria:

  1. Students who were born outside of the U.S. and brought here to live as a child or students who have a history of advocating for inclusive and equitable treatment of Dreamers
  2. Submit an application