University of Phoenix alumni have the chance to nominate family members, friends, colleagues or community members for the university’s “Paying It Forward” scholarship. The university encourages its 475,000 alumni to participate in the 2009 program that will award 30 full-tuition scholarships for individuals to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree. The application deadline is October 16.

The Paying It Forward scholarship program was created in 2006 to celebrate the
university’s 30th anniversary and to provide access to a quality higher
education. Since that time, 90 Paying It Forward scholarships have been
awarded.

Aryn McCoy has the honor of being the first Paying It Forward scholarship
recipient to graduate. Alumna Dr. Charlene Dunfee, who received her Doctor of
Management in Organizational Leadership in 2004 nominated McCoy for the
scholarship. “I have known Aryn since she was seven years old. I knew she
would be the perfect recipient. I knew Aryn would use the education to reach
her fullest potential,” comments Dunfee.

McCoy received her degree in education with an emphasis in curriculum and
instruction in 2008 and hasn’t looked back. “The education I received at
University of Phoenix was truly life-changing. I never could have afforded to
continue my education, either financially or time-wise. I was honored when
Charlene nominated me and I was selected for the scholarship.”

University of Phoenix alumni (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree
graduate) may nominate someone for a scholarship. To do so, an application
form must be completed and turned in by the October 16 deadline. Thirty
scholarship recipients will be selected by a committee comprised of University
of Phoenix alumni.

Paying it Forward scholarship recipients may select the bachelor’s degree
program of their choice and choose to complete their degree either online or
at their local campus.

Applications will be accepted from September 1 through October 16, 2009
(please note that applications can only be accepted by mail). The 2009
recipients will be announced by January 2010. For more information or to download a Paying It Forward application, please visit the Paying It Forward
website, where you will also find inspirational stories of past scholarship recipients. Additional questions regarding the scholarship program can be addressed to scholarships@phoenix.edu.