University Farm Circle - Scholarships and Loans

Helping students has been important since UFC's beginning. In its second year (1915), Farm Circle established the Student Loan Fund. In those early days, members helped students in times of illness and need as well as provided a home away from home during holiday seasons. The organization also helped fund a gymnasium, band uniforms, and students' emergency health care.

Fundraisers throughout UFC's history have supported activities like these. One of the most successful early fundraising events was the 1918 Jitney Fair, which included casinos, boxing, and wheels of fortune; over several years, this project raised many hundreds of dollars. Money was also raised through Christmas card sales, card parties, plays, and motion picture benefits.

Recognition of academic achievement included a debating trophy and a rotating scholarship trophy given to the women's residence hall having the highest gradepoint average.

UFC Scholarship Endowment Fund

In 1993, during a UFC board meeting, board member Elizabeth Sagehorn expressed her concern about the uncertainty and variability of the funds available for scholarships each year, which at that time came from dues, programs, and gifts. She spoke to the board about the need for an endowment fund to strengthen the scholarship program. New board member Renée Liston volunteered to help Elizabeth with fundraising and they organized two Silent Auctions, which raised $10,000, the seed money needed to start the endowment. Generous donations, additional fundraising, and capital gains have grown the fund to a "book value" of $238,000 and a "market value" of $275,000 as of May 2010. Interest earned combined with a portion of the membership dues is given to UC Davis women students each year as the Marion Freeborn and Kate Fizell scholarships.

Marion Freeborn Scholarships

These awards, named after the wife of the first Chancellor and a past president of UFC, have been given annually since 1938 to outstanding women students. Beginning in 1980/ 81, re-entry undergraduates became eligible. These scholarships are funded by the UFC Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Kate Fizell Founder's Scholarship

Established in 2008, and named after the founder of UFC, this scholarship is awarded from the UFC Scholarship Endowment Fund with the same guidelines as the Marion Freeborn Scholarships.

Blanche L. Price Scholarship

This endowment fund was established in 1997 by past president Elizabeth Sagehorn. As executor of her Aunt Blanche´s estate, Elizabeth was allowed to make charitable contributions in her Aunt´s name. What better than a UFC Scholarship.

Carol Lee Coss Memorial Scholarship

This endowment fund was established in 2008 by the Coss family and friends of Carol Lee who was a past president of UFC. It is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student who has displayed creativity, and community involvement or participation in extracurricular activities. Preference is given to majors specific to the arts, e.g. Design, Textiles and Clothing, Landscape Architecture, Art Studio and Dramatic Art.

Memorial Gifts

If you would like to remember someone with a special gift, please contact the UFC President.

Scholarships are presented annually at the Fall Tea to junior, senior, and re-entry women demonstrating high scholastic achievement, leadership, community service, high goals, and volunteerism. Each year, the recipients' names are engraved on plaques and permanently displayed in the Memorial Union.