The David J. Ewing Scholarship Fund was created by employees of PepsiCo, Inc., in Dallas, Texas. It honors the memory of David J. Ewing, former Director of Human Resources. Ewing Scholarships benefit students who seek success in life despite the death of a parent.

A native of Aurora, IL, David was only 8 years old when his mother died of colon cancer at age 35. David and his four brothers and sisters were all straight A students, and all graduated from college. After receiving a degree in business and human resources from Western Illinois University, David Ewing went to work for Pizza Hut, a division of PepsiCo.

He married Cindy Hereau in 1979, and the couple had two children, Sarah and Matthew. David worked for several divisions of PepsiCo as Director of Human Resources, moving from Kansas to Southern California and finally to Dallas.

In business as well as his personal life, David Ewing epitomized a man of strong values, moral character, personal integrity, loyalty, idealism, and love. His co-workers turned to him for guidance and clear thinking. His mere presence changed a meeting's dynamics and influenced its outcome. He stood his ground when others around him challenged his thinking and his direction.

David J. Ewing died of cancer on November 19, 1990, at the age of 36. Through this scholarship fund, he will never be forgotten.

How to Apply

The 2025-2026 David J. Ewing Scholarship Application deadline is April 1, 2025.

In preparation for applying, please have the following information available:

  •  two letters of professional recommendation from teachers or employers who are non-family members
  • official high school or college transcripts (including all transfer hours)
  • a two-page maximum, typed, double-spaced essay, discussing your professional goals and need for a scholarship

Act now by submitting the 2025-2026 FAFSA as soon as possible and monitor your FAFSA Submission Summary at fafsa.gov.

Eligibility

Applicants must have the following characteristics:

  • Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of an accredited institution of higher education in the United States.
  • Enroll as an undergraduate student in one of the degree programs offered by the institution (freshmen and sophomore students may enroll as undecided majors).
  • Maintain full-time enrollment unless during your final semester(s), you have fewer credit hours remaining in your degree program than is required to be full-time.
  • Have a deceased parent(s) who died during their working years.
  • Satisfy federal dependency requirements with regard to date of birth, marital status, children, and/or dependents.

Additional Information

  • The University of North Texas Foundation will manage the account and UNT Faculty Senate University Scholarship Committee will award scholarships to qualified full-time undergraduate students who have lost a parent during that parent's working years and need financial assistance to attend college.
  • The recipient of a Ewing Scholarship may choose to attend any accredited institution of higher education in the United States.
  • Students may reapply annually for the scholarship; however, recipients cannot receive an award for more than four years (eight full semesters).
  • Award amount varies based on available funding.