Emerging Entrepreneurs Scholarship
The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship recognizes that financial assistance can be a barrier for many students pursuing future entrepreneurial ventures. To help alleviate this burden, we offer the Emerging Entrepreneurs Scholarships, a two-tiered scholarship program for eligible students. These scholarships are awarded in Fall and Winter Semester to selected students from all fields of study.
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Toggle ItemWhat is the purpose of the Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarships?This program is designed to prepare students to create economic opportunities in Oceania and the Asian Rim in their chosen fields and their interests through entrepreneurship.
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Toggle ItemWho is eligible to apply?Meeting the basic eligibility criteria for the Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarships requires you to be a student at BYU-Hawaii with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. You can learn more about the specific requirements for the scholarship's Tier 1 and Tier 2 sections by reading below.
Those enrolled in either of ENTR180 or ENTR283 Spring semester, will be eligible to apply for the scholarship the fall semester immediately following the spring semester. -
Toggle ItemWhat benefits come from applying for and receiving the scholarships?During the scholarship process, you will gain the following skills:
- Identify a problem and need in Oceania or Asia Rim.
- Develop a basic business plan.
- Be prepared to implement business ideas upon graduation.
- Monetary scholarship.
- Access to weekly tutoring sessions with a dedicated T.A. mentor.
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Toggle ItemWhen is the application deadline?The application deadline for both scholarships is Friday, September 27, 11:59 PM. We will notify all applicants of the scholarship results by Friday, October 4, 11:59 PM.
TIER 1: $250 SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is the perfect opportunity to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. The Tier 1: $250 scholarship will assist you in refining your business idea and comprehending the demand in Oceania or the Asian Rim. Additionally, it will allow you to share how your idea is personally significant to you.
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Toggle ItemWhat exactly does the Tier 1: $250 Scholarship provide?Along with the $250 scholarship, scholarship recipients will have access to weekly tutoring sessions with a dedicated T.A. mentor. The mentor will help students incorporate ENTR 180 class lessons into their business ideas and develop comprehensive plans to turn their high-level ideas into successful ventures.
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Toggle ItemWho is eligible for the Tier 1: $250 Scholarship?Students are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA.
- Be enrolled in 12 credit hours for Fall/Winter semester.
- Complete a form that includes an essay describing a business idea you’re passionate about and would launch in Oceania or the Asian Rim.
- In the same semester you apply for the scholarship, you must be registered in ENTR 180 New Venture Finance course to receive the $250 scholarship.
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Toggle ItemWhen is the deadline for the Tier 1: $250 Scholarship?The application deadline for both scholarships is Friday, September 27, 5:59 PM. We will notify all applicants of the scholarship results by Friday, October 4, 11:59 PM.
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Toggle ItemHow do I apply for the Tier 1: $250 scholarship?To apply for this scholarship, you need to complete the Tier 1: $250 Scholarship Application form.
TIER 2: $500 SCHOLARSHIP
Are you ready to take the next step with your entrepreneurial idea? The Tier 2: $500 Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship is the perfect way to achieve this. Having completed ENTR 180 New Venture Finance, you can now explore key areas such as supply chain, pricing, marketing, and other important factors that will contribute to your success in Oceania and the Asian Rim.
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Toggle ItemWhat exactly does the Tier 2: $500 Scholarship provide?In addition to the $500 scholarship, scholarship recipients will have access to weekly tutoring sessions with a dedicated T.A. mentor. The mentor will assist students in applying ENTR 283 class lessons to their business ideas and developing comprehensive plans for success.
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Toggle ItemWho is eligible for the Tier 2: $500 Scholarship?Students are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA.
- Be enrolled in 12 credit hours for Fall/Winter semester.
- You have already completed ENTR 180 New Venture Finance towards the Entrepreneurship certificate or minor.
- Complete a form that includes an essay describing a business idea you’re passionate about and would launch in Oceania or the Asian Rim. Students may use the same idea that is used to apply for the first scholarship but go into more depth or may use a new idea.
- In the same semester, you apply for the scholarship, you must be registered in ENTR 283 New Venture Creation course to receive the $500 scholarship.
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Toggle ItemWhen is the deadline for the Tier 2: $500 Scholarship?The application deadline for both scholarships is Friday, September 27, 5:59 PM. We will notify all applicants of the scholarship results by Friday, October 4, 11:59 PM.
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Toggle ItemHow do I apply for the Tier 2: $500 scholarship?To apply for this scholarship, you need to complete the Tier 2: $500 Scholarship Application form.
JUDGING CRITERIA AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Judging Criteria
We are committed to granting scholarships to as many students as possible, but given our financial constraints, not all applicants will be granted a scholarship. The judging rubric outlined below will be utilized to evaluate and choose the recipients.
Tier 1 | Tier 2 | |||||
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Does the idea fit the needs of Oceania or the Asian Rim? | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Is the idea adequately developed? | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Do the provided details present a consistent story? | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Is the idea financially sound? | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
How will the scholarship funds be allocated and spent? | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
Can the idea be implemented within 5 years after graduation? | ✗ | ✔ | ||||
Will the idea be within the student's skill set upon graduation? | ✗ | ✔ | ||||
Is there a unique competitive advantage to the idea? | ✗ | ✔ | ||||
Does the idea have the potential to create jobs? | ✗ | ✔ | ||||
Is the idea capable of scaling to meet greater demand? | ✗ | ✔ | ||||
DISCLAIMER
AI is a great resource for researching your idea and target area. To avoid using AI inappropriately, please read and follow our AI policy found in the application submission. All scholarship applications should also adhere to the university's policy regarding plagiarism and academic honesty.