April 10, 2013

The Dream BIG Scholarship is now closed. Recipients will be announced in late July 2013. Good luck to all Dream BIG 2013 applicants!

• Scholarship applications may be submitted online from January 8 – April 9, 2013.
• Applications that are received by fax, email, or dropped off at a local campus WILL NOT be considered. A completed application with all materials must be submitted on or before the first 1,000 eligible/qualified applications have been received or before the deadline of April 9, 2013 (whichever comes first).  No exceptions.
• Applicants must be currently employed in any role within the retail industry, defined as a business that sells a product directly to consumers.
• Applicants must not have been convicted of a federal crime in the past ten (10) years and agree to a background check conducted by NRF Foundation if selected as one of the top thirty-five finalists.
• Applicants must not be currently enrolled nor in the process of enrolling at any University of Phoenix campus or in any online program at any time prior to the scholarship award date. Applicants who enroll after submitting an application or before the scholarship award date are not eligible to be a recipient of this scholarship.
• Applicants must not be an employee or family member (spouse, dependent child or domestic partner) of an employee of University of Phoenix, or any other subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc. Further, applicants who are National Retail Federation or NRF Foundation employees or their immediate family members are ineligible to apply for the scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Retail Federation “Dream BIG” scholarship?

The National Retail Federation “Dream BIG” scholarship is one of several programs established by University of Phoenix to increase access to education for promising students.

As a current retail employee, you are eligible to take your career dreams to the next level. Through the NRF Foundation and University of Phoenix, we are proud to offer 10 full-tuition scholarships that can be used towards an undergraduate or master’s degree in a retail-related degree program at University of Phoenix. Dreaming of taking the next step? Now’s the time to do it!

Can I be currently enrolled at University to be eligible?

Applicants must not be currently enrolled nor in the process of enrolling at any University of Phoenix campus or in any University of Phoenix online program at any time prior to the scholarship award date. Applicants who enroll after submitting an application or before the scholarship award date are not eligible to be a recipient of this scholarship.

I have completed my application to University of Phoenix but have not enrolled in any classes yet. Am I eligible to apply?

If you have completed your admissions application within the past six months, even if you have not begun classes, you are considered a current student. You must wait until after the award date to complete your admissions application to remain eligible for this scholarship.

What expenses are covered under this scholarship?

This scholarship program covers full tuition and fees toward the completion of a degree at University of Phoenix. Educational supplies and living expenses are not included.

Will the scholarship pay for books?

Yes. The scholarship covers the cost of electronic resources (online textbooks) that are required for classes and provided by University of Phoenix.  The scholarship does not cover the cost of physical/hard copies of books if required.

What about living quarters/dormitories?

University of Phoenix does not have dormitories, so a change in one’s living situation is not required.

However, we work hard to put an education within reach of busy working adults. In addition to offering degree programs online, University of Phoenix has over 100 locations across the country — empowering students to maintain their regular lifestyle while pursuing their education.

Is University of Phoenix accredited?

Yes. University of Phoenix is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org). The University also has earned programmatic accreditation for many of our degree programs, including business, education and nursing.

What types of degree programs are offered at University of Phoenix?

A wide range of degree programs, from associate to doctoral* level, are available. Students can choose from among these diverse areas of study:

• Business & Management
• Criminal Justice & Security
• Education
• Health Care
• Humanities
• Psychology and Social Sciences
• Nursing
• Technology

*This scholarship program can be used towards a retail-related undergraduate or master’s degree program at University of Phoenix in any number of disciplines including, but not limited to, business, finance, criminal justice, technology, management and marketing.

Are all University of Phoenix programs available in every state?

While many of our degree programs are offered throughout the country, not all of our programs are available to residents of every state. You can use our handy degree program finder tool to learn more about what programs are available in your area.

What types of resources are there for student support?

University of Phoenix is committed to student success.

We strive to provide exceptional support for students in all of our degree programs, starting by providing each student with a team of experienced advisors — enrollment, academic and finance. This team can assist you with the enrollment process, orientation, answering questions and more. Moreover, since our class sizes are traditionally small, individual instructors are able to respond quickly to phone calls and e-mail when students need extra class or assignment help.

We also strive to ensure maximum academic support by providing a variety of web-based tutorials and resources available on our student website. With online tools like a University Library, the Center for Writing Excellence and Center for Math Excellence and a Career Placement Center, students can access the support they need to be academically successful.

And regardless of whether students are pursuing their degrees online or at a nearby location, they have access to all resources available at their local campus.

Can students with disabilities be successful at University of Phoenix?

Certainly. University of Phoenix has a trained group of specialists committed to ensuring students with disabilities have a successful academic experience.

How will the recipients be selected? What is the committee looking for when choosing the finalists?

The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by the scholarship selection committee consisting of representatives from University of Phoenix, the National Retail Federation, and/or NRF Foundation. Non-staff members may assist in the selection committee process.

The scholarship award will be based on the committee’s scores of the overall quality of the application and the scholarship essay(s). The higher the average score, the higher the probability of selection.
Scholarship selection shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

The scholarship award will be based on the committee’s scores of the overall quality of the application and the scholarship essay(s). It is best to let the applicants know that they should answer each question completely, stay on topic, be organized, and of course, proofread.

How will the recipients and non-recipients be notified of the award?

All applicants will be notified by email on or soon after the award date if he/she was selected or not.

Must I be a national spokesperson for the advancement of retail careers for the term of my scholarship if selected?

Yes. This includes, but is not limited to, being highlighted in special communications, e.g. newsletters, media campaigns, and research studies. There are no fees associated with being the spokesperson and there is no additional compensation to the scholarship recipients. Applicants must be eligible to agree and must agree to the Apollo Group, Inc., Consent and Release form.

I still have a few questions.

For additional questions not answered here, please email us at scholarships@phoenix.edu.