Karen Kiser appreciates the unique challenges mature adults face when they return to College to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree while maintaining a balance within their own families. She is particularly mindful of the additional difficulties faced by women, often with dependent children, who return to school after divorce or widowhood. It is Karen's desire to provide resources that may ease the financial burden of returning to college to make a better life for the recipient and their family.

In addition, Karen wanted to honor her mother and that is why she has chosen to name the scholarship the Hazel and Karen Kiser Endowed Scholarship Fund for Returning Adult Students to encourage and support these mature women as well.

The Hazel and Karen Kiser Endowed Scholarship Fund for Returning Adult Students is intended to give personal and financial support to students who have the demonstrated capacity and maturity to achieve educational and professional goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

Process and application information

The Graduate School works with College Graduate Associate/Assistant Deans (GAADs) to identify nominees for this fellowship. Nominations are limited to one per college.

By February 23, 2025 GAADs should provide the nominee's name, number of dependents and a paragraph describing the student's academic standing to The Graduate School. Fellowship will be awarded in Spring Semester.

Funding of the award

The minimum award amount for this fellowship is $2,000 based on availability of funds.

Each fellowship recipient is required to express acceptance and appreciation of the award in writing within two weeks of notification of the award.