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Support the College

Igniting 40 at 40: A Scholarship Campaign to Empower Every Honors College Student
As we celebrate 40 years of Honors education at UNLV, we invite you to join us in a bold campaign that will transform what it means to be an Honors College student. Igniting 40 at 40 aims to raise $40 million in endowed scholarships, ensuring every future HC student receives substantive financial support.

Every gift toward this campaign, at every level, helps to equip our remarkable students with the resources they need to become the inspired thinkers and leaders they were meant to be.

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Why Scholarships Matter

When a student receives a scholarship, the impact goes far beyond covering tuition or books. It signals that the Honors College and the wider community believe in their potential.

But the truth is, many of our exceptional students receive no additional financial support when they join the Honors College. Last year, only 64% of eligible students received any scholarship, and the typical award amount has remained $1,000 per year ($500 per semester), even as expenses have climbed.

The majority of our incoming students demonstrate financial need, and many are the first in their families to attend college. Without meaningful scholarship support, many must work significant hours to afford their education, limiting their ability to fully participate in the rigorous academics, co-curricular opportunities, and close-knit community that are hallmarks of the Honors College experience.

Scholarships are also key to our ability to recruit top students. Competitive award packages help exceptional scholars choose the Honors College with confidence and ensure that UNLV remains a top-choice university for high-achieving students.

“I give because my Honors experience was a launchpad for many successes, failures and an ultimately optimistic view of the world. I wanted to support students who, like myself, wished to challenge themselves and be part of a group inside UNLV that supports them while they are in school and beyond."

Stefanie Frank ’89, Honors College Alumna and Donor

Why "Endowed" Scholarships

Endowed scholarships create a permanent source of support for Honors College students. Instead of being spent immediately, endowed gifts are invested, and a portion of the annual earnings funds scholarships year after year. This means your generosity continues working long into the future.

Endowments allow the Honors College to:

Offer stable, guaranteed scholarships to every student
Increase award amounts over time as the endowment grows
Remain competitive nationally in recruiting and retaining top scholars

Predictable, renewable scholarship funding ensures that the Honors College can uplift students not only today, but for generations to come.

Our Goal: A Scholarship for Every Student

Igniting 40 at 40 aims to raise $40 million in endowed scholarships over the next decade. This bold vision will create:

Universal Support: A minimum $1,000 annual scholarship for every Honors College student.
Competitive Awards: Tiered scholarships for exceptional applicants, including the Dean’s Award for Honors Excellence & Impact ($5,000/year) and the Honors Scholars Award ($3,000/year).