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Scholarship Service Hour Requirement Options

As a scholarship student at the University of Memphis, you are required to perform a certain number of service hours in order to keep your scholarship. Our office has developed this sheet to give you a list of options that you have to complete your service hours. Our office will need official verification from your site supervisor that you have completed your service hours. The service hour verification letter should be on official letterhead, signed by your site supervisor, who may not be a related party or yourself, and must include the following: Your UID number, name, total hours volunteered, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and your site supervisor’s contact information. Service hours must be completed during the academic year in which the scholarship award is received. Verification of service hours is due by June 1st of each academic year. Note: hours in excess of your scholarship requirement do not carry forward. Scholarships will not be renewed for the upcoming school year until service hour completion is verified and appropriate supporting documentation is received by the Scholarship Office.

The Helen Hardin Honors Program

Students in the Helen Hardin Honors College can fulfill the service hour requirement by completing Honors courses. Each 3 hour Honors course taken completes (75) service hours (i.e. two Honors courses completed per year fulfills the 150 service hour requirement for that year). Students in the Honors College should earn a grade no lower than a B in their Honors course. If you take more than two Honors courses per year, you may not count the course towards service hours for the following year. Students may participate in an approved Honors Experience (i.e., undergraduate research/internship, graduate course, honors directed study etc.), or contract for Honors credit and satisfactorily completing the Honors contract work by earning a grade no lower than a B. Please note grades of B- or lower in your honors course will not satisfy the service hour requirement. The Scholarship Office will receive notice from the Helen Hardin Honors College, of students who took honors courses or contracted for honors credit. For more information on becoming a member of the University Honors Program go to: https://www.memphis.edu/honors

National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

Students participating in NCUR through the University Honors Program have fulfilled their scholarship hour obligation to the University of Memphis. You must submit a statement on letterhead from the Helen Hardin Honors Program signed by the Director/Assistant Director and return it to the Scholarship Office.

Educational Support Program (ESP)

Scholarship service hours can be earned by tutoring through the Educational Support Program (ESP). If you have the following characteristics, you could be an ESP tutor: 1) Good standing in the Scholarship Program 2) Like working with others 3) Interested in learning about yourself 4) Reliable and dependable 5) Can schedule hours each week for service hours (until they are completed). You must submit a statement on letterhead signed by a representative from the Educational Support Program that includes your name, UID number, a brief description of responsibilities, hours worked, and their contact information. Contact ESP at 678-2704 for more information.

Officer in a Registered Student Organization

Students currently serving in an officer capacity with a Registered Student Organization at the University of Memphis requiring significant responsibilities for the benefit of the organization have fulfilled their scholarship hour obligation to the University of Memphis. You must have the Advisor of the student organization or the University of Memphis advisor type a memo on letterhead that includes your name, UID number, position(s) held and when, a brief description of responsibilities, and advisor contact information.

Participation in Major Student Coordinated Organizations/Events

Students significantly involved in the following have fulfilled their scholarship hour obligation to The University of Memphis:

  • Student Government Association
  • Student Ambassador Board
  • Emerging Leaders Program
  • Student Activities Council (Leadership Positions)
  • Frosh Camp (Leadership Positions)
  • Up Til Dawn (Leadership Positions)
  • International or National Student Exchange Program Participation

You must have the Advisor of the student organization or the University of Memphis advisor type a memo on letterhead that includes your name, UID number, position(s) held and when, a brief description of responsibilities, and advisor contact information.

Individual Service Contract Option

Student Leadership & Involvement has collaborated with external organizations that contribute to community needs to provide vetted service opportunities to students. Students looking to complete their service requirement volunteering with our community partners should search for opportunities using the Volunteer Calendar and Volunteer Odyssey. You may contact our Student Leadership & Involvement office for more information at studentinvolvement@memphis.edu or 901.678.8679.


Students selecting opportunities not provided through Volunteer Odyssey should provide verification of completed hours to our office. The service hour verification letter should be on official letterhead, signed by your site supervisor, who may not be a related party or yourself, and must include the following: Your UID number, name, total hours volunteered, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and your site supervisor's contact information. Service hours must be completed during the academic year in which the scholarship award is received. Verification of service hours is due by June 1st. Verification of hours may be faxed to us at 901.678.5621, emailed to scholarships@memphis.edu, or mailed to 201 Wilder Tower, Memphis, TN 38152.

The University of Memphis Office Assignment

Many University of Memphis departments and programs utilize scholarship students to perform various office tasks. If you are unable to complete your service hours in any other manner, the Scholarship Office has a list of departments on campus who need service volunteers. Such offices as the University Library, Campus School, Honors Program and the Recruitment Offices need assistance with various tasks during the school year. You must have the department supervisor send the Scholarship Office an email that includes your name, UID number, hours volunteered, a brief description of responsibilities, and their contact information.