Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship: Recognizing Excellence in Student-Athletes
The Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship, established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1988, stands as the organization's highest academic honor. This prestigious scholarship recognizes the achievements of student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence and show promise for future leadership in their chosen fields. The scholarship program is named in honor of Walter Byers, the former executive director of the NCAA, to acknowledge his contributions to promoting academic achievement among student-athletes.
Purpose and Overview
The Walter Byers Scholarship program aims to encourage student-athletes to excel in their academic pursuits while also recognizing their athletic accomplishments. Each year, one male and one female student-athlete are awarded the scholarship, acknowledging their ability to combine academic prowess with athletic dedication.
The Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship is separate and distinct from the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides numerous annual awards with smaller stipends.
Scholarship Amount and Renewal
As of 2011, each Byers Scholar receives a stipend of $24,000 for an academic year. The scholarship amount is adjusted for the cost of living. This financial support enables recipients to focus on their graduate studies without the burden of financial worries. The grant may be renewed for a second year based on academic progress.
The final award is contingent upon acceptance and attendance at an accredited, nonprofit educational institution; stipends are paid through the institution in which the Byers Scholar is enrolled for graduate study. To defer the scholarship for any reason, a Byers Scholar must submit a written request to the committee liaison for approval.
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:
Enrollment Status: Applicants must be either (a) currently enrolled in graduate study at an NCAA member institution or (b) enrolled in their final year of undergraduate work and planning to enroll in graduate study at an NCAA member institution within 5 years of graduating.
Athletic Participation: Candidates must have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at an NCAA member institution.
Nomination and Application Process
The Walter Byers Scholarship nomination is submitted by the faculty athletics representative (FAR) or FAR Designee. Each NCAA member institution may nominate no more than three student-athletes per gender. It is the responsibility of the FAR or FAR Designee to ensure all sections of the nomination are submitted to the NCAA national office. FARs or FAR Designee must nominate qualified student-athletes using the application in Program Hub.
Interested students cannot apply directly for the scholarship. Instead, they must be nominated by their undergraduate institution’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) or a FAR designee. The FAR or FAR Designee plays a crucial role in identifying and recommending deserving student-athletes for this prestigious award. As part of the nomination process, applicants must submit an online application, official transcripts, four letters of recommendation, and four lists describing their activities completed and honors received while in college.
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Applicants must upload official transcripts to complete the application. Involvement in community activities with dates while in college. For the community activities list, please indicate the number of hours per week, weeks per year and the number of years of involvement.
Selection Process
The Walter Byers Scholarship Committee, a five-person body established by the NCAA membership and appointed by the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Management Councils, administers the program. The committee reviews nominations and selects the recipients based on a comprehensive evaluation of their academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, leadership qualities, and potential for future success. Financial need is not a factor in the granting of these scholarships. United States citizenship is not required to satisfy eligibility requirements.
Evidence of acceptance into a graduate degree program or a post-baccalaureate professional degree program may be submitted after the notification of an award, but must be supplied by the institution in which the Byers Scholar enrolls for graduate work before the funding of the scholarship.
Notable Recipients
Many Walter Byers Scholars have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments in their respective fields. Among the most recognized for post-athletic career accomplishments are Randal Pinkett and Rob Pelinka. Some winners have won other notable awards. These individuals exemplify the values of the Walter Byers Scholarship program, demonstrating that success in athletics and academics can pave the way for leadership and impact in various professions.
NCAA's Commitment to Student-Athletes
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes. Nearly 500,000 college athletes across all three divisions compete for about 1,100 member schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and even Canada. NCAA schools award nearly $3.5 billion in athletics scholarships every year and provide vast support to help student-athletes graduate at a rate higher than their general student peers.
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