Published on March 5, 2025 by Kameron Brown  
samford students at soccer club tent

Samford University’s Parent Advisory Board and Parents Association State Chairs recently voted in favor of launching a new scholarship to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in learning experiences beyond the classroom. The new Student Opportunity to Participate Scholarship aims to remove financial barriers that may prevent students from fully immersing themselves in Samford’s diverse extracurricular offerings.

“Through the scholarship, students can apply for funding to support experiential learning, mentorship, networking, missions, travel and cultural immersion, project-based learning, workshops and seminars,” said Marc Hoppers, chair of the Parent Advisory Board. “The Division of Student Affairs will manage the application process and distribute funds to students seeking to expand their education outside traditional classroom settings.”

Beyond academic course work, learning happens in various environments and through different methods. Whether it’s engaging in a leadership retreat, attending a national conference or participating in a service-learning trip, these experiences complement formal education by enhancing adaptability, real-world application and lifelong learning.

“Samford is committed to developing students holistically, and this scholarship ensures that every student has the opportunity to lead, serve and participate in activities that contribute to their personal and professional growth,” said Julie Boyd, director of parent and family engagement, “Many of these opportunities require additional funds beyond tuition, and we want to make sure cost is never a limiting factor for students.”

Every contribution to the Student Opportunity to Participate Scholarship helps ensure that students can take advantage of transformative opportunities that shape their future careers and personal development.

Make a gift to the Student Opportunity to Participate Scholarship

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.