Navigating the Bernard Osher Reentry Scholarship: Eligibility, Application, and Impact

The Bernard Osher Foundation is dedicated to improving quality of life through support for higher education. A key initiative is the Osher Reentry Scholarship program, designed to assist non-traditional students in completing their first bachelor's degrees. These scholarships are available at numerous institutions across the United States, each with its own specific requirements, while maintaining a common goal of supporting adult learners. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Osher Reentry Scholarship, its eligibility criteria, application process, and impact on students.

The Bernard Osher Foundation: A Commitment to Education

Started in 1977 by Bernard Osher, the Bernard Osher Foundation seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts. Scholarships have been a priority of the Osher Foundation since its inception in 1977. The first Osher endowments supporting scholarships were established in the San Francisco Bay Area and the State of Maine. The majority of these programs address the financial need of undergraduate students and include the Fiat Lux Scholarship at the University of California (Berkeley). The programs in Maine reach nearly every private and public college and university in the State. The Foundation's investment in students at two-year institutions in Maine began with an endowment at the Maine Technical College System in 1999. The Osher Foundation also pledged to match additional contributions to the CCCSE (on a 1:2 basis) over a three-year period.

In 2010, the foundation established the Osher Reentry Scholarship, which is available to eligible adult students continuing the pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree after a significant hiatus. The Foundation defines reentry students as individuals who have experienced an interruption in their education of five or more years and who want to resume their education at the undergraduate level.

Understanding the Osher Reentry Scholarship

The Osher Reentry Scholarship program is designed to provide scholarship grants to assist non-traditional, reentry students with tuition expenses. Administered by various universities and colleges, the Osher Reentry Scholarships represent the largest award for reentry students on many campuses. The program is intended to benefit students who have considerable years of employability ahead of them.

Key Features

Focus on Reentry Students: The scholarship targets students who have experienced a significant gap in their education and are returning to pursue their first bachelor's degree.
Financial Assistance: Scholarship awards must be applied to student tuition fees exclusively. The scholarship is intended to help students reach their educational goals and can be applied toward education-related costs, including textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, and any other fees.
Wide Range of Institutions: Osher Scholarships are available at each of the seven community colleges in Maine. In 2008, the Osher Foundation provided the Foundation for California Community Colleges a $25 million endowment gift to support scholarships at every community college in the State.
Varied Award Amounts: The academic year amount is up to $6,000. We typically award eight to ten $5,000 scholarships annually to new and continuing reentry students.

Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?

Eligibility requirements for the Osher Scholarships vary across institutions. However, some common qualifications include:

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Educational Gap: Applicants must have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five years or more.
Degree Pursuit: Are at the undergraduate level and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. This grant is not intended for students seeking an additional degree.
Age Range: Are ideally between the ages of 25-50. Between the ages of 25 and 50 as of the beginning of the fall quarter.
Workforce Anticipation: Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time after graduation.
Financial Need: Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Commitment to Degree: Show a commitment to obtaining their degree. Must show academic promise and commitment to obtaining their degree.
Enrollment Status: Are either full- or part-time students. Must be enrolled at least half-time.
GPA: Cumulative 3.25 GPA UC Davis cumulative GPA for current UC Davis students. Students with an overall 2.50 or higher GPA on all previous coursework
Citizenship: Must be a US citizen. International students may also apply

Preferences

Preference will be given to the following students:

Returning Osher Scholars
Newly matriculating students
Mississippi residents
Students who are classified as a junior or senior

The Application Process: Steps to Take

The application process for the Osher Reentry Scholarship generally involves the following steps:

Complete the general scholarship application.
Find the Osher Reentry Scholarship application. After completing the general scholarship application, click on the Opportunities tab and scroll to find the Osher Reentry Scholarship to complete the application.
Recommendation Form: New UC Davis students may have the form completed by their community college faculty, community college staff or supervisor; continuing UC Davis students should have the form completed by a UC Davis faculty member, TA, UC Davis Staff or supervisor. Please be sure to allow your recommender ample time to complete your request.
Personal Essay:
Transcripts: The Transfer and Reentry Center will obtain your UC Davis and other official transcripts to evaluate your academic progress.
FAFSA: Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to those submitted by March 1 for Fall and Oct. 1 for Spring. The Osher Endowment Scholarship applications will be accepted January - June for the upcoming academic year. The Osher Endowment Scholarship applications will be accepted March - July, every year prior to the beginning of the new academic year. Deadline to submit the Osher Reentry Scholarship Application and to have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Financial Aid is July 1, 2023 with a priority date of June 1, 2023. The 2025-26 scholarship application will open on June 5th!

Key Considerations

Completed Applications: Completed applications means that both the application and recommendation form are all submitted by the deadline.
Access: To access the Osher Reentry Scholarship Application, you will need to be logged into myOleMiss with your WebID or know your admission application number and date of birth.

The Impact of the Osher Reentry Scholarship

The Osher Reentry Scholarship has a significant impact on the lives of non-traditional students. By providing financial assistance, the scholarship enables students to focus on their studies and complete their degrees.

Benefits for Students

Reduced Financial Burden: The scholarship helps alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees, allowing students to allocate their resources to other essential needs.
Increased Access to Education: By making education more affordable, the scholarship increases access to higher education for adult learners who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
Improved Academic Outcomes: With reduced financial stress, students can focus on their studies and achieve better academic outcomes.

Contributions to Communities

Skilled Workforce: By supporting the education of adult learners, the scholarship contributes to a more skilled and educated workforce.
Economic Development: Graduates of the program are more likely to secure employment and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
Social Mobility: The scholarship promotes social mobility by providing opportunities for individuals to improve their lives through education.

Institutions and Partner Organizations

The Osher Foundation partners with numerous institutions and organizations to administer the Osher Reentry Scholarship program. These partnerships ensure that the scholarship reaches a wide range of students across the country.

Examples of Partner Institutions

University of Miami
UMKC School of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of California (Berkeley)
Maine Community College System
UC Davis
University of Mississippi
Morgan State University

Collaborations with Other Foundations

In some cases, the Osher Foundation collaborates with other foundations to support reentry programs. For example, in 2016, the Bernard Osher Foundation recommended the UC Davis reentry program to the Crankstart Foundation. The Crankstart Foundation typically awards a grant of $50,000 to UC Davis to support ten reentry scholarships of $5,000.

Addressing the Unique Needs of Reentry Students

Reentry students often face unique challenges, including balancing work and family obligations while attending school. The Osher Foundation recognizes these challenges and provides support to help students succeed.

Special Needs of Adult Learners

Matriculation and Career Counseling:
Familiarization with New Information Technology:
Balancing Family and Employment Requirements:

Institutional Support

The Foundation has provided grant and endowment support to certain institutions to host visiting scholars and experts for periods ranging from a week to several months.

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