Fall Application Cycle
September 15 – October 15
The deadline to apply is at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on October 15.
The Mike Puritz Career Enhancement Scholarship Program is designed to support UCI career staff in their educational goals to enhance their career development and make an impact at UCI. The program is named after Mike Puritz, former associate director for UCI Campus Recreation, in recognition of his 35 years of service to UCI and his dedication to developing activities to serve UCI and the community.
The scholarship program is made possible through the generous donations of UCI staff, faculty, the UCI Retirees Association, the UCI Division of Continuing Education, and members of the community. Together we can help each other achieve more. If you are interested in supporting UCI staff to further their education and career, please consider making a gift.
Application Cycles
Each year, the application cycles are:
- Spring Cycle: March 15 to April 15
For coursework completed between the following July 1 through and June 30 period. - Fall Cycle: September 15 to October 15
Forcoursework completed between the following January 1 through December 31 period.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
Scholarships are available to full-time or part-time UCI career staff who have completed their probationary period at the time of application submission. Depending on the type of scholarship, staff are eligible to receive up to a certain maximum per year: either up to $890 for one UCI DCE course or up to $500 reimbursement for other types of qualifying professional development activities.
What professional development activities are eligible?
- Qualified career development activities (continuing education courses, seminars, webinars, conferences, certification exams, and other classes)
What professional development activities are NOT eligible?
- Travel or other incidental expenses (such as meals, parking, lodging, etc.).
- Courses and certification exams required to maintain a current license or board certification or is required by the University, law or regulations.
- Any training paid by or reimbursed from University funds or other organizations.
Award Notification
The UCI Staff Assembly Scholarship Committee will evaluate applications without identifiers based on eligibility, Statements of Motivation, and the proposed professional development activity. The committee will notify scholarship awardees by email by June 1 for the Spring cycle and December 1 for the Fall cycle.
Funding Process for UCI Division of Continuing Education Courses
About DCE
DCE provides innovative and productive educational opportunities to lifelong learners worldwide. For over 60 years, DCE has been committed to empowering individuals and organizations through impactful learning experiences. Our diverse catalog includes individual courses, certificates, specialized studies, and workshops, all designed to facilitate career advancement and personal enrichment.
DCE courses up to a value of $890 are available to an established number of applicants who plan to take a course from DCE; please note which course is desired in your application.
To enhance the well-being of the UCI staff community, DCE is contributing to the Mike Puritz Career Enhancement Scholarship Program complimentary course registrations to scholarship recipients in advance of the recipient taking the course. Please note that the registrations awarded via this scholarship program are non-transferrable to anyone other than the award recipient. Complimentary registration expires on last available registration date for applicable quarter noted in Spring/Fall Cycles above (i.e., Fall cycle is through December 31, so complimentary registration expires the day after the last date one can register for Fall quarter classes. Date is variable, for additional information: DCE Late Registration). Concurrent, international programs, CTC programs and technology boot camps are excluded.
Scholarship recipients must use the following process to enroll and have their course fees waived by DCE:
- Submit Scholarship application indicating the DCE course you wish to take
- Upon approval from the Scholarship Committee, you will receive information about how to enroll (without registration costs) for a UCI DCE course up to a value of $890
- Contact dce-services@uci.edu and provide them with the information you were provided from the Scholarship Committee
Funding Process for Other Courses
Scholarship awards will be provided as a reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. If taking continuing education courses at sister UC campuses, applicants are required to utilize UCI employee discounts. Scholarship awardees must submit all necessary receipts and documentation within 60 days of the completion of the professional development activity.
Required documentation:
- An official grade report or certification of course completion
- Original receipts demonstration proof of payment for eligible out-of-pocket expenses described above. (If the activity is paid by a student loan, reimbursement will be made for payments made against the loan during the 12-month period for the award. Activities paid by financial aid not requiring any out-of-pocket expense are non-reimbursable.)
- A completed Taxation of Scholarship and Fellowship Grants and Education Assistance Form
Any scholarship awardees who miss the deadline forfeit their scholarship. Scholarship awards are non-transferable to anyone other than the award recipient.
Questions
For more information contact Staff Assembly Scholarship Chair, Sarah Yoo, sarah.yoo@uci.edu
Testimonials
“The scholarship program provided an opportunity for me to attend the LEAP Advance Training Program. It was a transformative experience where I felt seen through reflecting on my leadership goals as an Asian Pacific Islander (API) American, building meaningful connections with my cohort, and sharing my story. Thank you again for the support and opportunity!”
Kathy Dong
Assistant Director, UCI Student Life & Leadership
“I’m very thankful to have received the Mike Puritz Scholarship. It was a relief to learn about this type of support as I pursue a graduate degree, given its many expenses. Thanks to the scholarship, I have been able to take more classes and work towards getting my degree in library and information science sooner with less concern for the immediate financial costs.”
Christina Acevedo
Communications & Events Coordinator, UCI Libraries
