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The Stephen S. Willoughby Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program

Click here for the Stephen S. Willoughby Scholarship Application

The University of Arizona Mathematics Department’s Center for Recruitment and Retention is pleased to announce a $1000 scholarship to be awarded to an incoming freshmen majoring in math education beginning in the fall of 2008. This scholarship will be renewable for a maximum of four years and requires a commitment to teaching mathematics in either middle or high school for at least four consecutive years immediately upon graduation from the University. The Willoughby Scholar is also eligible for an additional $3000 annual forgivable loan that would require repayment only if the recipient does not become a classroom teacher. Scholarship and loan monies may be used toward tuition, instructional materials, mandatory fees and/or housing expenses.

Applications for the 2008-09 academic year are due by May 1, 2008.

Application Criteria

The student must:

  1. have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 (non-weighted).
  2. have taken a mathematics course every year that he/she is in high school.
  3. submit a letter of recommendation from one of his/her high school mathematics teachers.
  4. submit a high school transcript.
  5. submit a resume including activities, awards, honors, volunteer work, and employment.
  6. submit a personal statement explaining why he/she wants to become a mathematics teacher.
  7. attend the University of Arizona fulltime beginning in the fall of 2008.
  8. have a FAFSA on file with the University.

The final decision on the winner of the scholarship will be made by a committee consisting of the Founder, the Co-Directors, and the Recruiting Coordinator of the Center of Recruitment and Retention.

Note: There is flexibility in these requirements and in special cases decided by the committee, a personal interview may be granted to applicants who may not meet all the requirements above.

Criteria for Retaining Scholarship

The student must:

  1. maintain a University GPA of 3.2 in mathematics courses and an overall GPA of 3.0.
  2. successfully complete at least 24 credit hours for each year.
  3. participate in the CRR tutoring program during his/her first year at the University.
  4. show satisfactory progress toward the completion of all applicable courses required for a math education major.
  5. submit a request to renew the scholarship for the fall semester no later than the end of the preceding spring semester.

As a first or second year math teacher the Willoughby scholar is also required to participate in the CRR Induction Program. A student who fails to meet these criteria or selects not to become a middle or high school math education will repay any loan monies received. The interest rate is set annually at 1% above the current subsidized loan rate or 7%, whichever is greater. The interest rate would apply from the date the funds are released by the CRR.