CARL COWAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
GUIDELINES
The Carl Cowan Scholarship Fund was made possible through initial donations and contributions
from individuals and businesses after black students and faculty members in the early 1970’s
sought to identify additional funding sources for black students. The endowment was originally
named the Minority Scholarship and Assistance Fund. In 1983, the name of the endowment was
changed to the Carl Cowan Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Carl Cowan was born in Knoxville in 1902, attended Knoxville College, and received a law degree
from Howard University College of Law. Mr. Cowan practiced law in Knox County from 1934 until
1980 and was appointed as the first African American Assistant District Attorney in Knox County in
1953.
STIPEND
Four scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded for the 2015-2016 academic year. The funds will be
dispersed in increments of $500, to be awarded at the beginning of the fall and spring terms to each
recipient.
SELECTION
The selection of the recipients of the Carl Cowan Scholarship Fund will be made by the University
General Scholarship Committee with representation from the Chair of the Commission for Blacks,
Director of Multicultural Student Life, and the Director of Africana Studies or their delegates.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection criteria are as follows:
1. The Scholarship will be available to any full-time minority student, either undergraduate or
graduate, who demonstrates financial need and/or outstanding achievement and
involvement. Special consideration will be given to freshmen or transfer students.
2. Applicants must complete and submit the attached application in its entirety. A resume
must also be submitted in addition to the attached application. One additional page may be
included to detail information requested in application if necessary. If selected, a personal
bio is required, and applicants agree to participate in a photo shoot in the spring, after the
recipients are announced, and prior to funds being awarded.
3. Applicants agree that their financial need will be determined by the Office of Financial Aid
and included with the information to be considered by the selection committee.
4. Applicants must submit one letter of support from a faculty or staff member outlining the
student’s academic achievements and contributions to the University of Tennessee
community.
5. The scholarship is intended to be a one-year scholarship.
All application materials are due to the Office of Multicultural Student Life, Black Cultural
Center, 1800 Melrose Avenue by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 13, 2015.
CANCELLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
All recipient(s) will forfeit their scholarship if they do not remain eligible to study at the University
of Tennessee, Knoxville campus or upon transferring to a campus other than the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville at the beginning of each semester the scholarship is to be awarded. The
selection committee may then re-award the remaining funds or return them to the scholarship fund
for the following academic year.
Application
THE CARL COWAN SCHOLARSHIP
Office of Multicultural Student Life
The University of Tennessee
(Please type in the space provided)
NAME:
STUDENT ID #:
LOCAL ADDRESS:
LOCAL PHONE:
CELL PHONE:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
HOME ADDRESS:
HOME PHONE:
MAJOR:
HOURS COMPLETED:
CURRENT GPA:
ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE:
CLASSIFICATION (Check box):
student
Undergraduate student
Term
Year
Graduate student
Law
PREVIOUS HONORS: (Awards, scholarships, honor societies, etc.)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: (Church, fraternal, civic, volunteer work, etc. – note your specific
involvement)
LEADERSHIP: (Clubs, office/position held, original projects, etc.)
ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL BIO (To be included in press releases, on the Carl Cowan Scholarship
webpage, and in Student Life newsletters)
ESSAY QUESTION (do not exceed one page). Please select from ONE of the following questions:
1)
Describe how you think the University of Tennessee can effectively educate students
about the history and culture for minority populations.
2)
Describe one specific method that you would recommend the Office of Multicultural
Student Life utilize in order to more effectively increase student involvement in programs
and services.
3)
Discuss some of the reasons that may exist to cause a disconnect among undergraduate
and graduate students as well as any suggestions you may have to minimize any of those
reasons.
ATTACH THE FOLLOWING: Letter of support from faculty/staff in sealed envelope, your current
resume, and one page to detail any information requested in application (optional).
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Date: _________________
Please note by signing this application you are agreeing to allow university officials to
confirm that you meet the qualifications for this scholarship (academic and financial
records will be reviewed).
Received by Office Staff: (date) ____________________ (time) __________________ (staff initials) ____________