Dr. Paul Schilling Donated $1 Million to UNF
The radiation oncologist established a new STEM scholarship at the University of North Florida.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Scholarships
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A $1 million donation from Gainesville-based radiation oncologist Dr. Paul Schilling has created the Schilling STEM Scholarship at the University of North Florida. The fund aims to support high-achieving students within science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
Why it matters
The donation serves to attract and retain promising STEM talent at the university. By providing consistent financial aid, the program aims to alleviate costs for students pursuing degrees in technical disciplines.
Eligible students may receive up to $5,000 per academic year, with the scholarship renewable for a total of four years. The inaugural class of 23 recipients began their studies at the university this fall.
The players
Dr. Paul Schilling
He is a radiation oncologist based in Gainesville who provided the $1 million donation to establish the scholarship program.
University of North Florida
This is a public university located in Jacksonville that is the recipient of the gift and the home of the new scholarship program.
The details
The funds will be distributed on a per-academic-year basis to support students who demonstrate high academic achievement. This financial support is designed to sustain learners throughout their four-year degree paths.
Timeline
The first class of 23 scholarship recipients entered the university in fall 2026.
Culture Shift
This donation follows a broader trend of private capital being used to supplement public university efforts to meet workforce development goals established by the National Science Foundation's STEM workforce development initiatives. It reflects a growing reliance on private philanthropy to bolster STEM enrollment.
Students entering STEM programs at the University of North Florida now have access to a new recurring $5,000 annual award. Prospective applicants should contact the university financial aid office to determine eligibility requirements for the renewable scholarship.
The takeaway
Private donations continue to play a critical role in closing the funding gap for students pursuing degrees in high-demand technical fields. These scholarships provide essential long-term financial stability for recipients throughout their undergraduate careers.
Further reading
Learn more about local funding opportunities in the Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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