Scholarships
Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now open!
Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrated financial need - applicant must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 academic year
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Undergraduate level student majoring in Healthcare Services and Sciences, Healthcare Services and Rehabilitation Sciences, Healthcare Services Physician Assistant Preparation, or Healthcare Services Clinical Practice in Health.
- Must be enrolled at WMU, a full-time HSS student at the time of application and in the Fall 2026 semester
- Must have a 3.0 minimum grade point average
- It is preferred that students are currently working in a part-time job at least 10 hours a week
- Previous recipients of the Scholarship are not eligible to apply.
- Must be available to attend the award ceremony in Kalamazoo on Friday, September 11 from 5-6:30 pm.
Deadline
- 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Recipient will be notified by Friday, April 3, 2026
Award
- For 2026-2027, two scholarships of $4,500 each will be awarded
- Applicants will be evaluated on financial need, GPA and their essay
- Award will be credited directly to the recipient’s student account in the fall of 2026
Application Instructions
- Complete application
- Essay must be 500 words or less
- Essay Question: Please write an essay that describes your commitment to providing service to others. Please address the following points:
- What service to others means to you and how you have demonstrated that service.
- Specific information about service activities and experiences you have completed.
- What your future goals are and how you envision service as part of that future.
Applications can be submitted through the following link:
Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship
Alexandra Burgett had a caring heart, an independent spirit and was passionate about helping people with special needs.
Alexandra Burgett was attending Western Michigan University to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services. In following her passion, she was also working as a supervisor at Residential Opportunities, Inc. (ROI), a nonprofit that provides group homes for children and adults.
Alexandra was scheduled to graduate in August 2012 and planned to continue with ROI at their new Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research. Unfortunately, in May 2012, her life was cut short by an automobile accident caused by a distracted driver.
Western Michigan University awarded a degree posthumously in December 2012. Dr. Doris Ravotas, coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Health Services program at WMU, said "Alex is remembered by her friends at Western as being fiercely loyal, always having a funny joke and being very non-judgmental. When Alex began her work at ROI, she became deeply committed to her work in the disabilities community, a defender and an advocate for those with disabilities. Upon her passing, ROI dedicated both a memorial garden and an award in her honor. They have recognized her as compassionate, respectful, dedicated, light hearted, intelligent and gentle."
The Burgett family initiated the Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship in December 2013, to honor and continue Alexandra's legacy and to assist an interdisciplinary health services undergraduate student in need of support to continue in the program
Burgett Scholarship Recipients