About the Fellowship:
The Saint Francis University Student Activities Organization (SAO) will award two to three fellowships to incoming first year students who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their leadership potential through areas such as community engagement, event planning, and project management. The purpose of this fellowship is to develop leadership abilities, foster community, and create a dynamic environment for our students.

The distinction between a scholarship and fellowship are in that with a scholarship, the recipient has already met the criteria and receives the award without any further obligation.  With a fellowship, the recipient must perform and comply within a set of expectations in order to receive the award. Because the SAO intends for its award recipients to continue to develop as leaders on campus, this program is structured as a fellowship.  As a fellowship program, recipients must meet specific criteria in order to maintain the award for the second semester of their freshman year.

Fellowship Procedures:
Eligibility: All incoming, first-year, full-time undergraduate students who have been awarded a Saint Francis University Merit Scholarship (Red Flash Co-Curricular, Assisi, Presidential, and Founders' Scholarships - which are listed on your acceptance letter from SFU Admissions) will be eligible.
To Apply: Complete this online application and submit all request materials by Wednesday, September 9th, 2026. Selected finalists will be asked to complete an interview with members of the Saint Francis University Student Activities Organization Executive Board within the first two weeks of the fall semester.
Selection Process: The selection process will be as follows -

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 @ Midnight
• Applications will then be reviewed by the SAO Executive Board
• Finalists will be selected to interview within a week of the submission deadline
• Final selections will be made by Friday, September 18th, 2026

Requirements/Expectations: Fellowship recipients will be required to:

• Serve as a member on at least one of the SAO Event Committees
• Attend all regularly scheduled weekly Executive Board and General Board meetings
• Serve as the Weekend Chair for at least one (1) weekend a semester
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Fellowship recipients are subject to annual review.
• Failure to meet the above criteria may result in the loss of fellowship.

Fellowship Compensation: Recipients shall be awarded with minimum wage compensation for attending weekly Planning Board meetings and serving as a member of an Event Committee for a total of two hours per week in compensation.

Please contact the Student Activities Organization for additional information at SAO@francis.edu.

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