Scholarships, Grants and Funds

The College of Engineering Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to the highest-performing students. This scholarship is awarded by the College of Engineering Scholarship Committee and all students enrolled in degrees in the college are eligible.

This scholarship is awarded to current College of Engineering students when funds are available but two deadlines are implemented-March 1st and October 1st each year for the committee to review applicants and make awards. Please provide the information below to be considered when funds become available.

Deadline

January 15, March 1, August 1, October 1

Students pursuing a dual degree from UNT and TWU may apply for a $5,000 Siemens PLM Software scholarship.

Application Requirements:

For Freshmen:

1. ACT/SAT cumulative scores of 27/1200 or better.
2. Demonstrate Math proficiency by having a minimum Math SAT of 600 or Math ACT of 26.
3. Have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
4. Letter of recommendation from a teacher in math, science or engineering.
5. Essay of 500 words or less answering the question, “Why do you want to study engineering?”
6. Provide proof of enrollment in the TWU-UNT Dual Degree Plan.
7. Be in good standing at the University and free of any disciplinary actions from the College and University.

For Current Students:

1. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
2. Submit official UNT-TWU Transcripts.
3. Enrolled as a student in the TWU-UNT Dual Degree Plan.
4. Letter of recommendation from faculty in math, science, or engineering.
5. Essay of 500 words or less answering the question, “Why do you want to study engineering?”
6. Be in good standing at the University and free of any disciplinary actions from the College and University.

For Transfer Students:

1. Have a minimum college-level cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
2. Must have completed Calculus I with a grade of B or better.
3. Submit  one letter of recommendation from a professor from the student’s major discipline, mathematics, or science.
4. Be in good standing at the transfer institution.
5. Essay of 500 words or less answering the question, “Why do you want to study engineering?”
6. Provide proof of enrollment in the TWU-UNT Dual Degree Plan.
7. Be in good standing at the University and free of any disciplinary actions from the College and University.

All documentation must be received by March 1. Applications should be submitted to:

Dr. Nandika D'Souza (Dr. Stephanie Ludi starting June 1, 2024)
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
College of Engineering
1155 Union Circle #310440
Denton, TX 76203-5017

Zina (Ashby) Townley (BS, Computer Science 1987) and her husband Brent Townley endowed the Ashby-Browning Family Scholarship in Engineering to honor four generations of Zina’s family who attended UNT. The scholarship honors a family motto of “Never Stop Learning.” Zina’s employer, L3Harris, provided a generous matching gift to each gift she and her husband made as they built up the endowment fund for this scholarship.

Zina’s father Clint Ashby grew up in a farming family and did not aspire to higher education.  But after an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army in the era of the Korean Conflict he was encouraged by his old high school principal to apply to North Texas State College and use his GI Bill benefits to pay for it. After earning a BS degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1961, Clint taught at several area high schools, including Decatur and Denton.  In 1976 Clint earned an MS in Vocational Technical Education.

Zina’s mother / Clint’s wife, Jessie (Thomas) Ashby has a long family history at UNT. Jessie’s grandfather Thomas Alexander Browning attended North Texas State Normal College in the 1910s.  Her mother Buena Browning Thomas attended North Texas State Teacher’s College in the 1920s. Three Browning uncles graduated and at least one earned a master’s degree. Among Jessie’s uncles Leslie Browning earned a BS in Education in 1934 and coached and taught at schools all over Texas.  During World War II he served over 30 months overseas and saw combat action in the Italian Campaign.

Zina was a pioneer in the automation of ski resorts and has worked in information technology or software engineering most of her adult life. In 2023 when the endowment was completed she was leading a software engineering “team of teams” in the defense contracting industry. She was motivated to attend UNT and pursue a computer science degree at what was then North Texas State University by her loving and devoted father. Her sister Sherla Ashby also graduated from UNT with a degree in Hospitality Management.

The Ashby-Browning Family Scholarship in Engineering is open to all engineering students with preference given to students who graduated from either rural public high schools or Title I public high schools in North Texas, including Denton ISD, Sanger ISD, Krum ISD, Northwest ISD, Cooke County, Wise County and Montague County. If there is no qualified student meeting that preference, preference may then be given to award the scholarship as a “finishing scholarship” to a student in their final year or semester of undergraduate engineering study who has exhausted all other financial aid is at risk of dropping out due to financial need.

Deadline

March 1

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the university in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the university, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in the College of Engineering at the university;

About Mina (Prakash) Kapadia

Mina Kapadia was born Mina Colaco in January 12, 1937. She married B. A. Prakash in 1963 and had two children Sunil Prakash (deceased 2011) and Nandika (Prakash) D’Souza (faculty in the College of Engineering). She was widowed in 1973 and married Mukesh Kapadia in 1979. She passed away July 28, 2019. She began work as an administrative assistant in 1953 and worked in a number of companies till 2002.

As a staff member, she epitomized the qualities of facilitative support of needs, high organizational efficiency, clear communication and engagement of all stakeholders.

In her personal life she exhibited the qualities of resilience, gratitude, personal faith and open heartedness. She loved bringing people together and recognizing people for all they do to enable others.

Deadline

Nominations requested by March 1.

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the College of Engineering in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time student in any degree-granting program in the College of Engineering at the University;
4. Have a grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
5. Be an active member or officer of the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, or the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at the University.

Recipients

• 2022  Cayla Vu
• 2021  Jessica Nwachukwu
• 2020  Crystal Edwards
• 2019  Ha Tran
• 2018  Samantha Zellner
• 2017  Edward Escamilla
• 2016  Tyseanah Spell

About Mina (Prakash) Kapadia

Mina Kapadia was born Mina Colaco in January 12, 1937. She married B. A. Prakash in 1963 and had two children Sunil Prakash (deceased 2011) and Nandika (Prakash) D’Souza (faculty in the College of Engineering). She was widowed in 1973 and married Mukesh Kapadia in 1979. She passed away July 28, 2019. She began work as an administrative assistant in 1953 and worked in a number of companies till 2002.

As a staff member, she epitomized the qualities of facilitative support of needs, high organizational efficiency, clear communication and engagement of all stakeholders.

In her personal life she exhibited the qualities of resilience, gratitude, personal faith and open heartedness. She loved bringing people together and recognizing people for all they do to enable others.

Deadline

Nominations requested by March 1.

Past Awardees

• 2023  Gina Pumphrey, Jason Miertz, Rachel Smith, Jordan Davis, Lisa Dunlop, Laura Garza
• 2022  Lisa Martin, Shelby Ancira, Rick Pierson
• 2021  David Bekker, Adrian Parks
• 2020  Diana Bergeman
• 2019  Melissa Getty
• 2018  Nancy Van Hoy
• 2017  Robin Shull

Leonor García was born in 1913 in the township of Güines of the Habana province in Cuba. She married in 1934 to Oscar Vicente Garcia and was the mother of Dr. Oscar N. García, Founding Dean of the College of Engineering at the UNT.

Her whole life was dedicated in one way or another to the pursuit of educational activities and involvement with those she could help. She strove unrelentingly to complete her own education in her native Cuba.

Though she graduated from high school after several interruptions as a teenager, it was not until years later as an adult that she completed the Juris Doctorate from the University of Havana, Cuba in 1943 - an era when few women studied at the University, and even fewer became lawyers. She was employed as a lawyer in Cuba. But before graduating from law school and while a law student, her first teaching job was home schooling their son before he entered grammar school at an advanced grade.

She and her husband immigrated to the United States in 1961. Though he was not a teacher and did not have higher education, her husband recognized the value of education and vigorously supported all of her, and later their son’s, educational endeavors.

Her professional life in this country also centered on teaching! She was the consummate outstanding teacher. Her enthusiasm glowed in sharing the knowledge of government and civics in the realm of the United States culture that she imparted to her adult student in the Program of English as a Second Language. She worked in this program some five years in College Park, Md.

A family move changed the focus of her energies from the adult arena to high school. She taught Advanced Placement Spanish Courses for American high school students. Again, her enthusiasm for the subject matter of classical Spanish writers enthralled high school students! She was involved in this program for another five years. She died in Denton, TX, at the age of 92.

She was respected and endeared by many students at various stages of their lives as she aided them in pursuing their educational goals and afterwards.

It is with great honor, respect and enthusiasm that we recognize her contributions to education with this scholarship. With the awarding of this year’s scholarship, we wish recognize whenever possible qualified ethnic minority women in her image demonstrating financial need while studying in the field of engineering.

Deadline

March 1

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the College of Engineering in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time student in any degree-granting program in the College of Engineering at the University;
4. Demonstrate leadership skills and community service activities within their community by submitting an essay of at least 500 words describing their experiences and the leadership lessons they have learned and any similarity between their activities and the career of Leonor Garcia.

Recipients

• 2022  Brandon Lopez, Jazmine Fuentes, Bernice Chiaha, Chalieta Audreylia
• 2021  Ken Beltrand, Hitesh Adhikari, Robin Cung
• 2020  Ozioma Ozigbo, Sasha Falaja
• 2019  Ridwan Hossain
• 2018  Ricardo Vela
• 2017  Andres Montoya
• 2016  Jose Valentino

The scholarship is named for the late UNT alumnus Gene Henry Fuhrman (March 27. 1964 to November 25, 2003) Gene graduated from UNT in 1986 with a BBA in Business Computer Information Systems with Cum Laude Honors. He was the son of Alvin and Grace Fuhrman, owners and operators of Nortex Communications, previously known as Muenster Telephone. Gene was considered by family members and co-workers to be a computer whiz, and he played a leading role in developing the company as a provider of internet services to small communities across Cooke County. Gene was killed tragically by a drunk driver in Sanger, Texas, in 2003, leaving behind his wife Kaylynn and a not yet born son, Conner, who arrived four months after his father's death. Gene worked most of his adult life for the family business and was Chief Operating Officer at the time of his death. He was responsible with his father, Alvin, for ensuring that Nortex Communications was an early adopter of many advanced telecommunications technologies which ensured outstanding service to their customers. Nortex service has a reputation as the very best available in rural Texas, and on par with the very best service available in urban areas.

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the College of Engineering (or its successor) in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of his or her degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time student in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology (or their successors) at the University; in the event no applicant meets this criterion, then students enrolling full-time in the College of Engineering (or its successor) at the University will be eligible for consideration; and
4. Preference will be given to applicants who are graduates of a high school program in Muenster, Texas; in the event no applicant meets this criterion, then preference will be given to applicants who are graduates of a high school program in Cooke County, Texas.

Deadline

March 1

Recipients

• 2022 Saroj Pokhrel
• 2021 Nicholas Bright
• 2020 Daniel Koelzer

Annual Competitive Student Scholarship

The South Texas Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers has awarded the University of North Texas a scholarship. Dependent on available funds, awards will be allocated as $500 for each of the Fall and Spring semester.  The scholarship will provide an in-state tuition in our University.

Application Requirements

Submit a statement of up to two pages of your experience with polymers, your educational and post-educational goals,  as well as your future plans for using polymers. Attach to the statement a list of current funding sources for your academic goals relative to the amount required annually and a statement of need.

Criteria for Award Selection

1. Current membership in SPE or confirmation of application attached
2. Student in good standing

Deadline

January 10, March 1, August 1, November 1

Past Awardees

• 2023-2024  Sainath Rao Boinapally, Mahan Ghosh, Sameer Abass
• 2022-2023  Vignesh Pagadulu
• 2017-2018  Hanna Evelina Gustrin, Dinesh Ramesh
• 2016-2017  Raghava Bandi, Kayode Oluwabunmi, Md Salah Uddin
• 2015-2016  Dinesh Ramesh, Nathaniel Anthony Warner, Yuvaraj Reddy Chitela
• 2014-2015  Michael B Stoddard, Nathaniel Anthony Warner, Erica Paige Doty, Ramesh Shrestha, Chun Yu Lin, Yoni Samuel Alexis Mercier, Hyeonu Heo, Arun Reddy Bommeneni, Yuvaraj Reddy Chitela, Bharadwaj Panchagnula

About Radha and P. B. Vaidyanathan

Mrs. Radha Vaidyanathan was born in the southern state of Kerala, India in 1942. Although, she did not pursue higher education herself, she valued education and made it a point to imbibe knowledge through voracious reading. As a teenager, she gave up her ambitions of studying literature to support her father and brother’s family. She was fluent in English, Tamil, Malayalam and a very talented and creative artist. She underwent ileostomy at the young age of 35 and lived with an ostomy bag for 19 years, never complaining, always taking care of her husband and son. She passed away at the age of 54 in 1996. Mr. P.B. Vaidyanathan, husband of Radha, was born in the southern state of Kerala, India in 1936. He wanted to study science and pursue a degree in medicine. However, in the interests of supporting his father, he chose to go to work at the age of 17. He completed his daily classes early, so he could work for the rest of the day. He earned his degree in economics and then worked two jobs to support his family. Very spiritual and generous to a fault, he understood the value of higher studies. He passed away at the age of 83 in 2019. Radha and P.B. Vaidyanathan valued education, good behavior and morals and encouraged their son to do the same. The scholarship was established as Radha Vaidyanathan Memorial Scholarship in 2015. Now, It is named in honor of two loving, kind hearted people who were wonderful parents and role models.

Deadline

March 1st

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Admitted or enrolled in the a graduate program in Biomedical Engineering
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Have a minimum GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
4. Be a member of SWE (see swe.org)

Awardees

• 2022  Manaal Mustansir

The college scholarship committee will select the awardee based on the following criteria

1. Merit in Academic Performance – 50 percent
2. Merit in Student Leadership and / or Service to student organizations, K-12 STEM outreach or other service benefiting the College – 50 percent

Deadline

The application deadline is March 1.

Recipients

• 2022  Samir Khanal, Samuel Gallaga, Humberto Romero
• 2021  Noor Jebbeh, Ozioma Ozigbo, Dovile Strimaityte
• 2020  Morgan Novak, Wen Du

About Gene Fuhrman

Gene Henry Fuhrman, March 27 1964, to November 25 2003, graduated from UNT in 1986 with a B.B.A. in Business Computer Information Systems with Cum Laude Honors. He was the son of Alvin and Grace Fuhrman, owners and operators of Nortex Communications, previously known as Muenster Telephone. Gene was considered by family members and co-workers to be a computer whiz, and he played a leading role in developing the company as a provider of internet services to small communities across Cooke County. Gene was killed tragically by a drunk driver in Sanger, Texas, in 2003, leaving behind his wife Kaylynn and a not yet born son, Conner, who arrived four months after his father's death. Gene worked most of his adult life for the family business and was Chief Operating Officer at the time of his death. Gene was described by his fellow UNT alum and longtime friend Troy J Wolf (also the donor) as, "a nice person who treated people well, a great friend, and a standout basketball player." I would also like to extend an invitation to all alumni to give back to UNT as well to honor a friend or perhaps to honor your parents who provided financial assistance in order for you to attend college at UNT.

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the College of Engineering in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting program within the College of Engineering (or its successor) at the University;
4. Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
5. Demonstrate eligibility for need-based financial assistance;
6. Preference shall be given to applicants who are seniors, fifth-year students, or students who are otherwise in the final year of their undergraduate Engineering degree program

Recipients

• 2021   Kayla McDonald

About Troy Wolf

Troy Jay Wolf is a UNT Engineering alum who earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology in 1986 and a M.S. in Engineering Technology in 1993. He has worked as a Technical Lead in an Engineering Support Group at Lockheed Martin throughout much of his adult life.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed giving back to UNT and I would like to encourage all alumni to give back to UNT as well in order to help students who need financial assistance while attending college at UNT.

Criteria

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the College of Engineering in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting program within the College of Engineering (or its successor) at the University;
4. Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
5. Demonstrate eligibility for need-based financial assistance;
6. Preference shall be given to applicants who are seniors, fifth-year students, or students who are otherwise in the final year of their undergraduate Engineering degree program.

Deadline

March 1

Recipients

• 2022  Carson Melead
• 2021  Fisal Alhumaid

Students applying to any of the following scholarships will be considered.

Troy Wolf Continuing Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Gene Fuhrman Memorial Scholarship in Communication & Electronics
Mina Prakash Kapadia Student Scholarship - Student

Deadline

March 1

Awardees

• 2022  Chadrick Davis, Jean-Charles Hekamanu, McKenna Hicks

This scholarship is for textbooks and other educational expenses for students in the College of Engineering.

Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the university (or its successor) in effect at the time of any award;
2. Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the university, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
3. Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any major in the College of Engineering (or its successor) at the university;
4. Maintain at least a 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent); and
5. Preference will be given to students with a strong interest in the areas of automotive or mobility engineering as evidenced by their coursework, student research projects or extra-curricular activities.
6. Selected student recipients are invited to submit resumes to the College Programs team through this link: https://toyota.us/UNTScholarship.

Deadline

October 1