Revised Oct. 2015
The University of Montevallo
Department of English and Foreign Languages
Station 6420
Montevallo, AL 35115
Sarah G. Palmer Adult Returning Student Scholarship – 2016-2017
History and Description: The Sarah G. Palmer Adult Returning Student Scholarship was established to honor longtime UM English professor Sarah Palmer upon her retirement in July 2000. For 32 years Ms. Palmer was a beloved
member of the UM community and one of the University’s truly outstanding teachers. She believed above all in the
power of education to change lives. The scholarship created in her name is intended to promote her vision of the
transformative power of education, especially in the lives of “nontraditional” or “returning” adult students. It was
awarded for the first time for the 2008-2009 academic year and will be awarded on a one-time-only basis to an older
student who has returned to school or entered college for the first time.
Requirements and Procedures:
1. Applicants should be adult returning students of any major. Students may be of any class standing, but preference
will be given to those with freshman or sophomore status in the year the award is made.
2. The amount of the award will vary depending upon the interest earned on the account. The award for the 20162017 academic year will be in the neighborhood of $1,800. The scholarship will be paid in two equal sums, dispersed
at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters and is non-renewable.
3. Eligible students will need to submit the following materials by February 19, 2016, to Professor Eric Vaccarella,
Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Department of English and Foreign Languages, Comer 101B, Station 6410

A completed application form

An unofficial copy of your most recent transcript from the Registrar’s Office indicating all completed classes
and the classes for which you are currently registered

A brief résumé

A brief biographical narrative (no more than one typed page single-spaced)

An essay of between 500-800 words responding to the following prompt:
“My life changed the day that. . . .”
(Somewhere in the essay you should touch upon your educational goals.)
4. Criteria for selection of award:

Academic potential and motivation to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Consideration will be given to students who exemplify Sarah Palmer’s vision of the transformative power of
education.
5. The award will be announced at the University Honors Day Ceremony.
6. Please address any questions about the application process to Dr. Eric Vaccarella – Office: Comer 101B, 665-6415.
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Revised Oct. 2015
Application for the Sarah G. Palmer Adult Returning Student Scholarship – 2016-2017
Please complete the information below and return by the requested deadline with other
required materials
Date: ___________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _______________ UM ID # (M Number): _______________________
Local telephone: _____________________ UM PO Box: _______________________
Local address: _________________________________________________________
Home telephone, if different from local number: ______________________________
Home mailing address, if different from local address:
____________________________________________________________________
Email address you use: __________________________________________________
Cumulative GPA: _______________ Date you entered UM: _____________________
Hours earned at UM: _________________________
Are you a transfer student? Yes_______
No_______
If yes, provide the name and location of the institution from which you transferred:
____________________________________________________________________
Total hours earned (including hours transferred to UM): ________________________
Major(s): _____________________________________________________________
Minor(s): _____________________________________________________________
Working toward teacher certification? Yes_______
No________
Expected date of graduation from UM: _____________________________________
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