USEA Scholarship

Learn about the award, then scroll down to the bottom of the pages to complete the nomination form. Have questions? Contact Mike Evans at [email protected].

Purpose

The Utah School Employees Association (USEA) Scholarship is provided by the Tim Wangsgaard Memorial Fund. Tim Wangsgaard was a husband, a father of 6 children, a head custodian at Centennial Junior High School, and a member of USEA’s Executive Board who had a strong commitment and dedication to helping others. In 2016, while on association business Mr. Wangsgaard was involved in a fatal traffic accident. The scholarships are provided as a continuum of the legacy that Mr. Wangsgaard had built and a continued dedication to Education Support Professionals (ESPs) and their families by ensuring that the recipients will receive the financial support to full fill their academic and career goals. 

Award

Each spring, individuals will be presented with a certificate and a one-time monetary award at the annual USEA Awards Banquet. Recipients will be recognized through USEA’s social media platforms, emails and on the USEA website. 

Eligibility

All active members of USEA, who have been an active USEA member for at least one year as of December 31. Students and/or prospective students whose parents, grandparents or legal guardians are active members of USEA, who have been an active USEA member for at least one year as of December 31. 

Deadline

All applications must be completed and submitted to USEA by 11:59 p.m. MST on March 2, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered for the award. Webform is the preferred method for submission.

Selection and Notification Procedure

Application: Applications may come from any eligible individual, must be submitted by the DEADLINE, must be submitted on the approved nomination form and must comply with the application guidelines. 

Selection Process: The USEA Awards Committee shall consider all applications received by the deadline. The committee will use the criteria below to review and determine eligibility. The committee may contact the applicant for further information if needed. The committee will make recommendations to the USEA Executive Board for consideration and action.

Award Criteria: The USEA Awards Committee will base its selection on the following criteria: 

• Financial need 
• Academic achievement
• Educational Goals
• Leadership
• Community/extracurricular involvement
• Awards and recognition
• Personal or family attributes 

Notification: Scholarship recipients will be announced at the annual USEA Awards Banquet. Recipients will be invited to attend the banquet at the expense of USEA.

Submittal Requirements 

Submittal Requirements: Applications must be complete and submitted to USEA by 11:59 p.m. MST on March 2, 2026.  Applications received after this date will not be considered for a scholarship. A complete application package shall include the following requirements: 

• A complete Application Form, including the: 

• Applicant Information
• USEA Member Information (If applicant is not a member but related to a active USEA member)
• Signatures of the applicant

• Applicant Essay: Maximum 2 pages addressing the following criteria:

• Academic pursuits and career goals: Explain your chosen major, other educational goals and how your academic path aligns with your future career aspirations. 
• Academic achievements and impactful experiences: Describe significant events and or achievements that have shaped your perspective or motivation to pursue your goals.
• Leadership demonstration: Share a time you took initiative and led a project, highlighting the challenges you faced and the positive outcomes. 
• Community/extracurricular involvement: Discuss your involvement in volunteer work and/or extracurricular involvement, the impact you made, and how it fostered your commitment to giving back. 
• Financial need and scholarship impact: Explain how receiving this scholarship would help you achieve your educational goals and alleviate financial burdens. 
• Personal or Family attributes: Share how your personal or family attributes have influenced your prospective and aspirations. 

• An Essay about the role ESPs have played in your life: Maximum 150 words (approximately ½ page) 

• A copy of your current school schedule, enrollment letter or proof of registration from the educational institution of your choice for prospective students. 

• Optional Letters of Support highlighting the specific actions that provide evidence of meeting the scholarship criteria.

Nomination Form