Butler-Fouts Graduate Scholarship
How to apply for a Ruth Houston scholarship award
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To apply, complete the following checklist of tasks.
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An essay of no more than 1,000 words describing:
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Your academic and professional goals and the way the scholarship will contribute to your success;
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Your financial need; and
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How your goals relate to AAUW’s goal of advancing equity for women and girls.
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Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
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Two letters of reference from referees acquainted with applicant's academic or professional work.
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Send transcripts and letters of reference to Dr. Kathleen Schmand at Kathleen.Schmand@mtsu.edu or 1301 E. Main St., MTSU Box 0013 Murfreesboro, TN 37132.
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The application will open at 7a.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, and close at 11:45 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 2025.​
Good luck, scholars!
Receiving the Butler Fouts Graduate Scholarship from AAUW has been a transformative milestone in my journey toward earning a PhD in economics. This generous support has enabled me to devote more time to my dissertation, access essential academic resources, and ease the financial strain during this critical phase of my education. Beyond the financial assistance, the scholarship affirms my potential and encourages me to stay committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am deeply grateful to AAUW and its members for believing and investing in my future. I look forward to advancing AAUW’s mission by supporting other women in their educational journeys, mentoring aspiring scholars, and using my work to promote equity and opportunity across communities.
Feyisayo Oyolola
2024-2025 Butler-Fouts Scholar
Past Recipients
FEYISAYO OYOLOLA
PhD, Economics
2024-2025
GBEMISOLA AKINTEYE
Master’s, Healthcare Informatics
2022-2023
KEAIRA CRUTCHFIELD
Master's, Business Administration
2017-2018
Scholarship namesake and former AAUW Murfreesboro President Leola Fouts (right) presents a door prize to Cora Vaughn at an AAUW game night.
AAUW Murfreesboro, in partnership with the Middle Tennessee Fund for Women and Girls, will award a $1,200 scholarship each semester — Fall and Spring — to a female graduate student belonging to an under-represented ethnic or racial group and who best demonstrates academic promise and financial need.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must currently be enrolled in or have been accepted into a graduate program at MTSU. U.S. citizens, International students, and Permanent Residents may apply. Preference will be given to those who show that they are close to the completion of their degrees. Award recipients may apply for competitive renewal of the scholarship each semester as long as full-time status and a 3.0 GPA for MA candidates and 3.25 GPA for Ph.D. candidates are maintained.
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Scholarship designations are New Scholarships and Renewed Scholarships. Upon request, scholarship awards are renewed for recipients in good academic standing and who show that they are making good progress towards graduation. When scholarships are renewed, new scholarships for first time recipients are not offered.
Scholarship namesake Mattie Butler (right) sits with Karen Lampert in this photograph from 2009. Ms. Butler served then as the Calling Committee Chair for AAUW Murfreesboro.