Foundation Scholarships

Etnier, Don and Jan Hmong Freshman

This scholarship is available to an incoming freshman Hmong student who has been accepted for admission to UW-Eau Claire. The recipient needs to have a strong academic record, show potential for success in college and have demonstrated financial need. This scholarship is renewable for a period of up to three years provided the recipient continues to demonstrate academic success and funding is available. Typically a freshman will be chosen in the even numbered year every two years. For example, a freshman will be chosen in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 and will then be renewed. Candidates must have a minimum of a 25 composite on the ACT (or comparable SAT) AND rank in the top 25% of their graduating class (or GPA of 3.5) to be eligible.

To be considered for Incoming Freshman Student Admissions Scholarships, just submit the application for admission. There is no separate application to apply, though demonstration of financial need is required for certain merit-based scholarships. Your application for admission will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. If you have questions, please contact the Admissions Office at (715)836-5415.

The Admissions Office will coordinate the selection process, which is highly competitive. The process is based off of the student’s admissions profile including: transcripts, academic history, list of involvements and essays. These are among the criteria that will be reviewed for scholarship purposes.

Screening of candidates will begin in December for some early awards and continue through the spring or until awards are accepted.

Scholarship award notices will be sent to scholarship recipients by the beginning of April of student’s senior year. If scholarships are declined, they will be re- awarded to alternates through the summer months. The recipient will be recognized at the Multicultural Banquet in the fall.

Don and Jan Etnier have assisted the Hmong throughout the Chippewa Valley in numerous ways, for more than 30 years. Jan was the first tutor for the first Hmong student to graduate from UW-Eau Claire, who went on to become the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs. Their church has sponsored many Hmong families and helped them resettle to the Chippewa Valley. Don was on the Board of Directors of the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association and was the campaign treasurer for the late Joe Bee Xiong, when he ran for the Assembly in 2004. Jan was on the Christmas Food Committee and persuaded the Salvation Army to provide food that is part of the Hmong diet. The Etniers are true “volunteers’ volunteers”. A thank you letter should be written to Don and Jan Etnier and submitted to the Foundation Office, S-214.