Unlocking Potential: The Benefits of the Alumni Scholars Club

For students receiving an Alumni Scholarship, automatic access to the Alumni Scholars Club (ASC) provides a wealth of opportunities. The ASC aims to unite the talents of Alumni Scholars, fostering community, leadership, and service. This article explores the various benefits and opportunities available through the Alumni Scholars Club, particularly focusing on the program at UCLA, while also drawing parallels with similar programs at other universities like Ohio State and UC Berkeley.

A Legacy of Support: Alumni Scholarships

Many universities recognize the importance of supporting promising students through alumni-funded scholarships. At UCLA, the Alumni Association has been awarding scholarships since 1936, benefiting over 10,000 Bruins. These scholarships are not just financial aid; they represent a commitment to the recipients' future success. The UCLA Alumni Scholarships are merit and leadership scholarships awarded through an application screening by alumni volunteers and selection by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The first round of Alumni Scholarship offers are made to top-ranked scholars within a week of UCLA Admissions decisions. If a student does not receive an offer during this initial round, they may still receive an Alumni Scholarship, as awards continue to be made throughout the summer, as students are matched to the restricted scholarships within the program.

Examples of specific scholarships at UCLA include:

The Dr. Ralph J. Bunche Alumni Scholarship: Dedicated to continuing the legacy of Dr. Ralph J. Bunche '27, class valedictorian, United Nations founder, and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The Community College Transfer Alumni Scholarship: For students transferring to UCLA from a Community College.
The True Bruin Distinguished Senior Award: A prestigious scholarship awarded to highly meritorious students who exemplify the True Bruin values of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Service. Award recipients receive a scholarship and are recognized and celebrated across campus.
The Lew and Edie Wasserman Grant: Provides additional financial assistance to continuing students who have already won previous Alumni Scholarships.

Other universities also offer alumni scholarships. At Ohio State University, scholarships are awarded by the Office of Student Financial Aid to enrolled students who are not receiving freshman-recruiting scholarships, with preference for academic performance and financial need. Scholarships may be renewed based on continued superior academic performance or financial need. The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) also provides scholarships through its Alumni Scholars Program, recognizing incredible student leaders who are resilient, creative, and community-minded.

Joining the Alumni Scholars Club: A Gateway to Opportunities

At UCLA, receiving an Alumni Scholarship automatically grants access to the Alumni Scholars Club (ASC). Being an Alumni Scholar is more than just receiving a scholarship; scholars are involved in campus events and organizations, increase their connections to the university, build their leadership skills at UCLA and stay involved as alumni. The ASC serves as a hub for these scholars, providing a range of benefits designed to enhance their academic and personal development.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

In 1976, the UCLA Alumni Association founded the Alumni Scholars Club (ASC) as a support group for students who had received Alumni Association scholarships. Entering the mid-1980s, ASC shifted its focus from a purely social club to one with a greater emphasis on service and community and initiated various student recruitment programs to give more scholars opportunities to alumni resources. Today, the Alumni Scholars Club coordinates a variety of student and alumni programs in conjunction with the Alumni Association, varying from professional development to group bonding. ASC's executive board continues to develop and implement projects with support from the more than 500 active ASC members to show that student support goes far beyond the monetary contribution of the scholarship.

Pillars of the ASC: Community, Leadership, and Service

The ASC operates on three core values: community, leadership, and service. These values are woven into the various programs and activities offered to members.

Fostering Community

The ASC provides a strong sense of community among Alumni Scholars. It is our goal to unite and utilize the talents of Alumni Scholars in order to fully embrace the values of community, leadership, and service. This is achieved through various social events and networking opportunities, allowing scholars to connect with their peers and build lasting relationships.

Developing Leadership Skills

Leadership development is a key focus of the ASC. Leadership development opportunities are available to Alumni Scholars through various service opportunities or programs such as the Leadership Development Program. Scholars can also become ASC coordinators, gaining experience in managing student programs and large organizations.

Engaging in Service

Service is a fundamental aspect of the ASC experience. Identify and promote service programs for Alumni Scholars and join opportunities to serve UCLA and the greater Los Angeles community through programs such as Los Angeles Team Mentoring, Locks of Love, and many other service opportunities, which change on an annual basis or volunteer at one of the UCLA Alumni Associations various events. These activities not only benefit the community but also instill a sense of civic responsibility in the scholars.

Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni

Connecting with Alumni: Mentorship and Networking

One of the most valuable benefits of the ASC is the opportunity to connect with UCLA alumni. Interact with the Alumni who made your individual scholarship to UCLA possible at ASC-sponsored activities and see what your fellow Alumni Scholars have accomplished under the guidance of their own UCLA educators. This interaction can take many forms, including:

Mentorship Programs: Alumni provide guidance and support to current scholars, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths.
Networking Events: Alumni and scholars come together for social and professional gatherings, creating valuable networking opportunities.
Alumni Panels and Workshops: Alumni share their experiences and expertise in various fields, offering insights and advice to scholars.

Similar programs exist at other universities. The BAR program at Ohio State connects alumni and parents to recruitment activities within Undergraduate Admissions, allowing both offices to engage alumni in meaningful ways through multiple opportunities to represent Ohio State to prospective students and their families. At UC Berkeley, Black Cal alumni share their career tips and how they navigate life after Cal, providing context for the importance of having a personal vision. Alumni also hosted mock interviews to help students prepare for internship and employment opportunities.

The UCLA Alumni Association: A Lifelong Connection

The UCLA Alumni Association plays a vital role in supporting the ASC and its members. The Association exists as a conduit, a resource and an advocate to advance the interests of UCLA and its nearly half-a-million living alumni. It declared its independence in 1934 to become the UCLA Alumni Association and is under the umbrella of UCLA External Affairs and led by the associate vice chancellor, Julie Sina. The Alumni Association offers a wide range of programs and services, including:

Networking Events: Brings alumni together for both social or professional gatherings, such as Nachos and Networking.
UCLA ONE: Online platform for Bruins to network professionally, post jobs and solicit advice by industry.
Alumni Awards: Alumni and friends honored for their professional achievements and service to their communities.
Alumni Academy: Held at UCLA or streamed online, these industry-specific topics draw from alumni experts.
Travel Opportunities: Educational tours, often accompanied by expert faculty, diving in to the culture, history and ecology of specific regions.
Cultural Events: Invitations to art shows and lectures, discounts to UCLA Extension courses and access to UCLA Recreation activities.
Bruinwoods: UCLAâs premier family resort in Lake Arrowhead that parents and children love to come back to year after year.
Mentorship: Students reach out to alumni in their field of interest and engage with them as mentors.
Career Services: Builds connections with UCLA alumni, community members and employers to help students develop academic and professional skills in preparation for life after university.
Scholarships: Alumni donors and volunteers award merit-based scholarships to nearly 200 incoming students annually, incentivizing the best and the brightest students to come to UCLA.
Student Groups: Student groups under the Alumni Association whose goal is to enhance the UCLA student experience. Students who received an Alumni Scholarship, participate in interclub activities and two campus-wide events: Locks of Love and My Last Lecture Award, and required to complete 40 service hours. Students who put on the weeklong festivities leading up to the Homecoming football game in the fall.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility: A Commitment to Engagement

UCLA Alumni Affairs values the commitment made to scholarship recipients. To renew your Alumni Scholarship you are expected to perform volunteer service and participate in Alumni Scholars Club activities throughout the year. Service hours must be logged through your online ASC account within two weeks of completion of the service. Scholars should notify the Alumni Scholars Program Director of any changes to University attendance.

Alumni Scholars Club: Beyond the Scholarship

Being an Alumni Scholar is more than just receiving financial aid. It's about becoming part of a supportive community, developing leadership skills, and giving back to the university and the wider community. The Alumni Scholars Club provides the platform and resources for scholars to thrive, both during their time at UCLA and beyond.

Read also: Columbia University Legacy

The Application Process

The UCLA Scholarship Application will open on March 21, 2026 to admitted and continuing students. The Alumni Scholarship applications for fall 2026 first-year and transfer students will open two to three days after the admission decisions are released. Additional need-based grants are available to Alumni Scholars who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Alumni Scholarships Program and the Financial Aid Office.

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