Scholarships & Financial Aid

Harvard David Hanks Scholarship

The Harvard David Hanks Scholarship provides up to $4000 for the academic year (fall and spring) for a University of Utah student majoring in history with a focus in American history. The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, a sophomore, junior, or senior in the year that funding is received, carry a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, a US citizen, and no prior history of the use or sale of illegal drugs. Preference will be given to non-resident students from Idaho. If no qualified applicants satisfy this condition, preference will be given to non-residents from other states outside of Utah.

In addition to the application material described above, applicants to the Harvard David Hanks Scholarship should include a one-page personal statement that explains why the student chose to major in American history at the University of Utah.

J. William Gordon Scholarship

The J. William Gordon Scholarship provides $2,000 for the academic year (fall and spring) for a University of Utah undergraduate majoring in history. The student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, a junior or senior in the year that funding is received, carry a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a US Citizen.

In addition to the application material described above, applicants to the J. William Gordon Scholarship should include a one-page personal statement explaining the student's area of strongest interest within the discipline of history.

James H. & Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship

The James H. and Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship provides up to $5000 for the academic year (fall and spring) for a University of Utah undergraduate student majoring in history. The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, a junior or senior in the year that funding is received, and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Preference will be given to applicants who are preparing for graduate training in business, law or medicine.

In addition to the application material described above, applicants to the James H. and Mary Ann Gardner Scholarship should include a one-page statement explaining how the study of history helps to prepare one for a career in the fields of business, law or medicine.

John William James Family Scholarship

The John Williams James Family Scholarship provides up to $4000 for the academic year (fall and spring) for a University of Utah undergraduate majoring in history. The student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, a junior or senior in the year that funding is received, carry a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, and a US Citizen.

In addition to the application material described above, applicants to the John Williams James Family Scholarship should include a one-page personal statement explaining the student's area of strongest interest within the discipline of history.

Susannah Topham Memorial Scholarship

The Susannah Topham Memorial Scholarship provides up to $6000 for the academic year (fall and spring) for a University of Utah undergraduate student majoring in history. The student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, a junior or senior in the year that funding is received, and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate interest in historical archaeology or environmental history, are Utah high school graduates, and who are female.

 In addition to the application material described above, applicants to the Susannah Topham Memorial Scholarship should include a one-page personal statement explaining the student's area of strongest interest within the discipline of history.

Jeff C. Herring Undergraduate Scholarship

An annual scholarship supporting Humanities students with a preference for History majors.

How to apply:

• Awards: 1-2 students annually (for the academic year – fall and spring)
• Amount: $1,000 scholarship each (up to $2000 a year)
• Preference will be given to applicants who are History majors

Donate to the Jeff Herring Undergraduate Scholarship for Humanities students

Donate to The Jeff Herring Scholarship

About Jeff C. Herring:

After graduating from the University of Utah, Herring earned an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources from the University of Phoenix and a law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, CA. His career has taken him from working as an attorney focused on labor and employment law all the way back to the University of Utah, where Herring has served as the Chief Human Resources Officer since 2013. He sees direct parallels between his undergraduate education in history and his career. “The idea of understanding history provides a context for almost everything that happens in the world, past, present, and future,” he reflects. “I think that critical thought and understanding provides a great foundation for understanding how societies work and how we can interact to solve some of the great challenges of our time and the future.”

Upon receiving the 2024 Donald E. Dickason award for service from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, Herring chose to use the monies towards a scholarship for history students. “I received my History degree in the College of Humanities at the U; it was such a transformative part of my life and career, and I wanted to give back in some small way,” he says.

For students who are currently studying history and contemplating career choices (or perhaps fending off well-intentioned but irritating relatives who underestimate the power of a history degree), Herring offers advice: “Keep yourself open and receptive to any doors that might open. As a humanities major you know why we are human. That will serve you well in any industry where you deal with people. You might not know where those paths are right now, but if you stay open you will have the skills to walk them when they do."