Scholarships Available at Uganda Christian University

Uganda Christian University Financial Aid Office

I. What is the Financial Aid Office at UCU?

a. The Financial Aid Office at UCU is primarily responsible for working with students, their donors, and University institutions to make certain that the students are registered and their assistance is accounted for.

II. Can the Financial Aid Officer find me a sponsor?

a. The Financial Aid Officer (FAO) does not find sponsors for individual students.

b. The FAO seeks to learn of new scholarship opportunities for which students may apply to other organizations and will publish any information on the Financial Aid notice board outside of the Development Office in Mackay and on the UCU web site (www.ucu.ac.ug).

c. The FAO will assist and advise UCU students who are filling out application forms to outside funding organizations. However, the FAO does not receive or post applications for other institutions.

III. What kind of Financial Aid is available at UCU?

a. We have merit-based scholarships, scholarships for the Church of Uganda, and Work Study scholarships for needy students.

b. Needy Students: The majority of our current and prospective students are “needy”. However, UCU simply does not have the resources to assist all of those who wish to study and lack resources.

i. UCU has a limited number of Work Study scholarships to offer some assistance to needy students. Under this scholarship, students work 10 hours per week during the semester and, once the work is successfully completed, Ush. 200,000 is credited to the student’s account. Selections are made each semester by the University Scholarships Committee as the number of students applying for these scholarships far exceeds the number of scholarships available. Students may only apply in the semesters they are registered full-time students and applications are always due by the end of the week before the start of lectures.

c. Church of Uganda “University Scholarships”

i. Offered to Anglican students studying for Bachelor’s or Master’s of Divinity who have been sent by their Bishop for training at the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology (or Diploma in Theology at Bishop Barham University College).

ii. Students may only apply through their bishops.

d. Scholars and Friends

i. Awarded to Ugandan students pursuing a degree and who have been top performers during their first semester at UCU.

ii. Scholarships are distributed proportionately among the faculties and departments and they are awarded one scholarship per Anglican Diocese (Students need not be Anglican but must be Christian and demonstrate leadership and character). Programmes not currently considered because they have other schemes are Nursing and Divinity.

iii. We make certain that all first year students who are eligible are given the opportunity to apply regardless of what semester they first enter the University (September, January, or May)

iv. These scholarships are fixed and pay a portion of the tuition and fees.

v. This is a merit scholarship.

vi. Students receive the scholarship for their remaining two years (three for Law) as long as they maintain their minimum marks and remain of good character.

vii. Applications are available in March of each year and decisions are made in June.

e. Global South Leadership Development/Honours College

i. This is a merit scholarship.

ii. Offered to recent (within 2 years) “A-level” leavers who have performed very well academically – greater than 15 points on their exams.

iii. Students must also be committed Christians and demonstrate leadership qualities as evidenced by their activities in Secondary School and through their references.

iv. Students receive tuition and fees fully paid for the duration of their course, assuming that they maintain satisfactory marks and are of good character.

v. Students reside in the Honours College and are responsible for paying their own accommodation fees.

vi. The number of scholarships given varies each year.

vii. Applications are available in March of each year and selection will occur by June.

IV. How do I get applications for any of the Scholarships offered by UCU?

a. Global South Leadership Development application forms can be picked by 1 March from the Honours College Coordinator, Rev. Sam Opol or from the UCU web site www.ucu.ac.ug. They are due by 31 May.

b. Scholars & Friends applications are made available in March of each year through the student’s faculties in which they are enrolled. They are due in May.

c. Work Study applications are available during exam time during the previous semester and during the week before lectures begin. They may be obtained from and submitted to the Development Office in Mackay Hall.

d. University Scholarship Applications should be received from and returned to diocesan bishops who can get the forms via the UCU web site or the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology.

e. All applications will be available from the University web site www.ucu.ac.ug .

V. How do I find out more about Financial Aid at UCU?

a. The Financial Aid Officer is Dr. JoEllyn Fountain. She meets with students and sponsors Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10am to mid-day in the Development Office in Mackay Hall. Other times can be arranged by ringing the Assistant to the Financial Aid Officer, Susan Mbabazi to schedule an appointment. Susan may be reached during regular business hours. Please ring the UCU Main Number, 0312350800 and ask for ext. 449. You may also email the Dr. Fountain at scholarships@ucu.ac.ugThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

b. Mrs. Joyce Mukungu, the secretary to the Bursar is the person responsible for assisting all sponsored students. If you need assistance or clearance from the Bursar’s Office, please contact her during regular business hours. She can be reached directly at 0312 35 08 36. email: jmukungu@ucu.ac.ugThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

c. Check the bulletin board outside of the Development Office in Mackay Building and the UCU web site www.ucu.ac.ug for new scholarship opportunities.

VI. I have a scholarship or a sponsor and I am reporting to the University. What do I do first?

a. Students who are reporting at the beginning of the semester should first check with the Mrs. Mukungu in the Bursar’s office to see if there is a letter for you specifying the details of your scholarship.

b. If a letter is not available, please visit the Financial Aid Officer to confirm that our office is aware that you have a sponsor. If all is in order, the FAO will produce a letter for you to credit you for the amount you are sponsored. The FAO will facilitate necessary communications with your sponsor to smooth the registration process.

VII. Someone wishes to sponsor me. What do I tell them about paying my fees?

a. If the sponsor resides outside Uganda (in Europe, North America, Australia, etc.) please have them contact the Financial Aid Office for details. Coordination through the Financial Aid Office in advance of the start of a semester can make it possible to facilitate the registration process. It is always better to have them donate directly to the University rather than through the student, parent, or church.