Dear friends,
It has been a wonderful, record-breaking fall for the U.P. Scholars Program here in Ann Arbor! As we kicked off a new academic year, we welcomed 25 new scholars, including 22 first-year students and three transfer students, from communities across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This year, we’re proud to support 78 U.P. Scholars, the largest cohort in the program’s history.
Through the U.P. Scholars Program, we strive to make the University of Michigan an affordable and accessible option for all Yoopers. We’re so grateful that we’ve been able to expand our scholarship support to benefit so many deserving students. The U.P. Scholars Program is made possible through the generosity of donors, who make these life-changing scholarships available to our students. Today, we’re inviting you to invest in the next generation of Yoopers by making a gift to the U.P. Scholars Scholarship Fund. This fund provides need-based scholarships for first-year and transfer students from low- and limited-income backgrounds across the U.P. Your gift provides more than financial assistance; it creates community and allows talented students from the Upper Peninsula to fully embrace the opportunities of a University of Michigan education. Will you make a gift today to our U.P. Scholars Scholarship Fund so we can continue to invest in the next generation of Yoopers?
The U.P. Scholars Program pairs need-based scholarships with wraparound support designed to help students from the Upper Peninsula thrive on campus. While U.P. Scholars receive up to $15,000 per year, the U.P. Scholars Program offers far more than financial support. It creates a home away from home through peer mentorship, one-on-one coaching with professional staff, community-building traditions like our annual (906) Day Welcome Picnic, leadership and professional development opportunities, and meaningful service experiences that help students give back and stay connected to their roots.
The impact of the U.P. Scholars Program is evident in the experiences of our students. In our most recent program assessment, 100 percent of U.P. Scholars reported that the program staff made them feel valued. Additionally, 98 percent said the program creates an affirming community for rural students, 96 percent reported that it eased their transition to college, and 91 percent said it positively contributes to their sense of belonging and community at the University of Michigan.
Because of our generous supporters, students from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can pursue a University of Michigan education knowing they have both the financial support and the community they need to succeed. We hope you’ll consider making a gift to the U.P. Scholars Scholarship Fund so that even more Yoopers can call the University of Michigan home.
Thank you for your generosity and for believing in the potential of our students. Go Blue!
Megan Roberts
U.P. Scholars Program Manager
