What Is the RobertSmiley Scholarship?
The RobertSmiley Scholarship was established in 1998 by the Smiley Family Trust to recognize and support highachieving undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community service. The scholarship is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Lexington (UL) and is awarded annually to a select group of students from any major.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be admitted as a fulltime undergraduate at UL.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Show documented involvement in community service, leadership roles, or research.
- Submit a personal essay (max 800 words) describing how the scholarship will help achieve academic and career goals.
- Provide two letters of recommendationone academic, one from a community mentor or employer.
International students are eligible provided they hold a valid UL visa and meet the academic standards.
Application Process
1. Prepare Your Materials
Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and draft your personal essay. The scholarship committee looks for clear, concise writing and evidence of impact.
2. Complete the Online Form
Log in to the UL Scholarship Portal and fill out the RobertSmiley application. Upload all supporting documents as PDF files. The portal will confirm receipt via email.
3. Review and Submit
Doublecheck that every field is complete. Submissions are accepted until March15 for the upcoming academic year. Late applications are not considered.
4. Interview (if selected)
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a 30minute interview with a panel of faculty and alumni. The interview assesses communication skills and the applicants vision for future contributions.
Benefits of the Scholarship
Recipients receive a renewable award of $5,000 per academic year, disbursed directly to tuition and fees. In addition to the monetary award, scholars enjoy:
- Priority access to research grants and travel funds.
- Mentorship from senior faculty members.
- Invitation to the annual Smiley Leadership Summit.
- A network of past scholars now working in various professional fields.
Past Recipients Stories of Impact
Maria Gonzales, Class of 2022
Maria used her scholarship to fund a summer research project on renewable energy storage. The project earned a national award and led to a patent application.
Jamal Reed, Class of 2021
Jamal founded a campuswide tutoring program that now serves over 1,200 students each semester. He credits the scholarships financial support for allowing him to volunteer more hours.
Lena Cheng, Class of 2020
Lenas involvement in community health initiatives earned her a place on the citys advisory board. The scholarship enabled her to travel to a global health conference in Nairobi.
How the Scholarship Aligns With Robert Smileys Vision
Robert Smiley, a philanthropist and former UL trustee, believed that education should be a catalyst for social change. His legacy lives on through the scholarships emphasis on:
- Academic Rigor: Encouraging scholastic excellence.
- Leadership: Fostering the ability to influence positive outcomes.
- Service: Instilling a responsibility to give back.
Each scholar is expected to embody these three pillars during their time at UL and beyond.
Contact Information
For questions regarding eligibility, application procedures, or deadlines, please contact the Scholarship Office:
- Email: scholarships@u-lex.edu
- Phone: (555) 1234567
- Office: Room 210, Student Services Building, University of Lexington
Visit the official scholarship page for the latest updates: https://scholarships.u-lex.edu/robert-smiley
