Women's Center Scholarships

The scholarship is intended to acknowledge hard work, ambition, and motivation on the part of the recipient, not simply academic success. The scholarship will provide in-state tuition, fees, and a book stipend at UNO to the recipient for the number of full-time semesters remaining until scheduled graduation. This scholarship is advertised in the Spring and awarded in the Fall.

Mrs. Amato explains, "Virginia's life was of the finest quality, and we are proud to be her parents. Her presence impacted many people. Now we would like to honor her memory by using resources available in her Foundation, which was established at the time of her death, to provide a positive impact in others' lives. Virginia was extremely focused and self-driven; she was adventurous and strong, overcoming personal fears to achieve the goals that she had set for herself. We want to extend the Virginia Rosanne Amato Memorial Scholarship to other women with those qualities of motivation, ambition and fortitude."

UNO Scholarship for Women in Computer Science

This scholarship was founded by BSCS alumni Sabrina D. Farmer, currently VP of Engineering at Google, in 1995. It covers in-state tuition for the fall and spring semesters and is typically awarded to two recipients per year. As a woman in Computer Science it can feel like you are outnumbered and sometimes alone, but there are many women wishing you success and hope you join them in the very rewarding career a Computer Science degree can bring.

“There were many times I questioned my abilities as a Computer Scientist while in school. The thought of changing paths occurred several times. In the last 15 years I’ve had an incredibly rewarding career that has included working with some of the best and brightest and traveling the world. I’m currently at Google and constantly finding challenges and problems to solve. This scholarship was created to encourage women to stick with this career because while there are challenges, the rewards are tremendous.”

The Francine Foreman Women in STEM Memorial Scholarship

The Francine Foreman Women in STEM Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award of $1000 towards tuition in the fall semester of the academic year. The scholarship is available to women students registered at UNO, who have completed at least one year of college and have declared a major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field. The scholarship is being offered in honor and remembrance of Ms. Francine Foreman.

Francine Foreman was a trailblazer for women working in STEM fields. Graduating from Newcomb College of Tulane University in 1961 with a degree in math, Ms. Foreman began her career as a computer programmer for IBM and worked on NASA’s Apollo Program. She went on to work for Entergy New Orleans, and after her retirement she volunteered at the Chalmette Public Library. Ms. Foreman frequently noted that she could not have attended Tulane had she not received a scholarship, and she specified that a portion of her estate should be set aside as a financial award to assist other women pursuing careers in the STEM fields.

An applicant must:

• Be a registered, female undergraduate at UNO, 18 years of age or older.
• Have completed at least 24 hours of college courses towards a degree with a declared major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) discipline.
• Have a minimum 2.5 G.P.A. at the time of the award.
• Exhibit academic dedication.

A recipient must:

• Maintain full-time standing (no fewer than 12 hours during a regular semester) during the semester she is receiving the award.
• Remain in good standing at the university.
• Maintain her major in a STEM field during the semester she is receiving the award.

Book Scholarships

The Jacquelene (Jackie) Seal Book Award

The Jacquelene (Jackie) Seal Book Award is offered by the UNO Student Support Services (SSS) program and provides $250 to a woman student. Preference is given to applicants who are current and active participants with the SSS program. Jackie was a very active student with SSS. Days before her scheduled May 2000 graduation, she became a fatal victim of domestic violence. The SSS program offers this award in memory of Jackie and her strong commitment to succeed academically in the face of many hardships. This academic year, one award will be offered each semester, fall and spring. A student may receive this award for only one semester.

Shades Of Black Book Award

The Shades of Black Book Award provides $250 to a woman student of African descent. The Shades of Black Book Club consists of twelve members connected by family and friendship, some of whom attended the University of New Orleans. In celebration of the power of literacy and academic accomplishments, this award is given to a deserving student in the Spring Semester only.

Each applicant for any of the above book awards must:

• be a registered woman student at the University of New Orleans
• be an undergraduate student
• be in full- or part-time standing (no less than six hours)
• demonstrate financial need
• demonstrate academic commitment (must not be on academic probation)
• exhibit academic dedication in the face of hardship.

Submitting Your Application

Gather your letters of recommendation first, before faculty members leave for the summer. If you are applying for more than one scholarship, ask the people writing your letters to address each letter to each specific scholarship. You may submit one overall application for the book awards, but you must submit an individual application package complete with recommendation letters and copies of your transcript (unofficial midterm grades are required for application; official transcripts will be required before any money is awarded), for each other scholarship for which you apply. You may ask your college adviser to print out unofficial Webstar transcripts for you in place of purchasing them from the Registrar.

All scholarship and book award applications are due no later than March 9, 2020 at 5 p.m. Make and save a copy of your application and supporting documents before submitting each application in a large envelope marked with your name and the name of the scholarship for which you are applying. Submit your application packets at the Women's Center in the Earl K. Long Library, Room 201.