Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program

The Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program was established in 1976 to honor Darwin T. Turner, an African American student who, at the age of 16, was the youngest person ever to graduate from the University of Cincinnati (UC). UC offers this scholarship program to promote community building, scholarship, service, and success. In addition to providing full-tuition funding, Darwin T. Turner Scholars are expected to participate in programs and activities designed to improve their intellectual, personal, and professional development. The program's goal is to enrich the educational environment for undergraduate students by supporting the recruitment and retention of students with high potential for academic success at UC.

Since its inception, the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program has built a strong sense of leadership development, community engagement and personal commitment within a close-knit, supportive community of scholars. In an effort to facilitate a sense of community and family, the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program hosts 4 key signature programs throughout the academic year. We kick off the year with the Induction Ceremony - your official welcome to the Turner family. Other signature and memorable events include the Breakfast of Champions, where you will recognize a staff or faculty member who contributed to your success, and the Turner Olympics. We conclude with the End of Year Ceremony where we recognize your incredible accomplishments and celebrate our graduating seniors.

• Be a graduating high school senior or have not been previously enrolled post-high school as a student at a college/university
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (based on an unweighted 4.0 scale) or 3.2 (based on a weighted 4.0 scale)
• Seek admission to a baccalaureate degree program
  
• Geographic Residency: Graduate from a high school located in one of the following counties: Ohio: Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Brown; Indiana: Dearborn; Kentucky: Kenton, Boone, Campbell
• High School Type: No restrictions apply; public, private, charter, or homeschool students from the above counties are eligible. 

For maximum scholarship consideration, students must have a complete UC Admission Common Application by November 1 of their senior year. The Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program does not involve a separate application process. Instead, eligible students who complete the UC admission process by November 1 are invited to compete for awards. Students will receive the invitation via the email they used to submit their application for admission to the university. Students invited to apply for the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program are asked to provide a statement/respond to two essay questions and a letter of recommendation. These responses are carefully reviewed by a committee of faculty, staff, and alumni representatives from across the university.

The Darwin T. Turner Scholarship covers the following:

• 8 semesters of in-state tuition
• Student fees

Note: Students not eligible for in-state tuition rates are responsible for their non-resident surcharges that are not covered by the Turner award, and all scholars must meet the undergraduate scholarship policy.

If accepted into the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Students must complete at least 12 credit hours per semester (full time student)
• Students are expected to maintain a minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• Students must participate in all program seminars and activities (meetings, events, community service, etc.) held throughout the year. 
• Students must complete a minimum of thirty (30) community service hours. 
• Student must sign in weekly to the Darwin T. Turner Scholars office (671 Steger)
• Students must meet with an Turner staff member upon request. 

Failure to meet any of these requirements can lead to termination from the program. 

Students who are accepted into the Darwin T. Turner Scholars program are invited to apply to live in the Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie Living Learning Community (ALLC) in Turner Hall. Once you receive your acceptance, you will receive an invitation to apply via email. Participants in this residence-based learning community will live in an environment that fosters personal and social development, leadership engagement, and academic success to gain a greater sense of self. 

Through this community, we honor the history and legacy of those who came before us, while providing students with the opportunity to create their own path towards leaving their mark at the University of Cincinnati and larger community. Members of this community engage in dialogue and reflection that facilitate a sense of pride in one’s wholistic self.

Residents agree to commit to the values of respect, growth, and teamwork. Living in the ALLC is not a requirement for participation in the Turner Scholars Programs. The ALLC is not included on the housing application. Any interested scholarship students should communicate interest to their program staff directly.