- Question: How do I apply for admission to Morgan State University?
Response: Admission to the University begins when you submit an application for admission. You may obtain information and application materials from your high school or community college counseling and/or career planning office or by contacting:
The Office of Admissions and Recruitment
The Montebello Student Services Center
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland 21251
Telephone: 443.885.3000
Fax: 443.885.8260
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Question: How do I apply for an academic scholarship?
Response: The Admissions Office electronically codes the University’s computer records of admitted students with exceptionally high academic credentials. The Honors Program office will contact you if we offer you a scholarship.
Question: How many students receive Honors Program scholarships?
Response: Each year, the Honors Program awards Chair’s, Dean’s, and Regents’ Scholarships to approximately 200 first-time freshmen. This number may vary based on the amount of available funding and the academic credential of the candidates. We also award scholarships to high-achieving students transferring to Morgan from a MARYLAND community college. In total, there are usually 700 to 900 Honors Scholars and Scholarship Recipients at the University.
Question: If I am not selected to receive an academic scholarship as an incoming freshman, can I receive one after I become a student at Morgan?
Response: Yes. You qualify for an Incentive Award if you earn a minimum of twenty-eight (28) credit hours, pass all of your courses with Honors-level passing grades, and earn a minimum 3.0 grade point average as a full time student at Morgan. Applications are available each year during the final two weeks of April. The competition for these scholarships is very high. Academic achievement and initiative, achievement potential, faculty and administrative evaluations and student essays are all factors that determine which applications are funded. If your application is approved, you must sign a new Specific Requirements agreement before any funds will be applied to your account.
Question: Are there any other types of financial assistance available?
Response: The best place to obtain comprehensive information regarding financial assistance is through the University's Financial Aid Office located in the Montebello Student Services Center. Also, some academic units may have departmental awards for high-achieving upper classmen. You may obtain additional information in the office of the Dean/ Director of your college/ school/ institute.
Question: How does scholarship money get on my student account?
Response: The Honors Program Office notifies the University's Financial Aid Office of the funding level and continuance of Honors awards. The Honors Program Office does not manage student accounts. The Financial Aid Office places the scholarship award onto your account. The Bursar's Office manages your account billing.
Question: My scholarship funding covers “up to” a certain amount. What does “up to” mean and how is my actual scholarship funding determined?
Response: The “up to” amount is the maximum amount that the scholarship will cover. In order to determine the actual amount of your scholarship funding, the Financial Aid office reviews your financial records.
First, they determine your financial need (sometimes referred to in the Financial Aid Office as your “budget”). This is the cost of your education based on your residency (Maryland resident or non-resident), living arrangement (on- or off-campus), dependency (independent or dependent student), expected family contribution (a negative adjustment), and some other factors relevant to your educational costs.
Next, they calculate the amount of financial aid that you accept1. This is called your financial aid package.
Then, they subtract the total of your financial aid package from your budget. (Budget – financial aid package = difference)
If the difference is positive, your scholarship funding will be equal to the maximum of the award funding within the guidelines of the scholarship definition. Funds may only be used for their specific designation (e.g., tuition & fees, room & board, or books & supplies.)
If the difference is negative, your scholarship funding MIGHT be reduced to an amount that provides your total educational costs as defined by University and federal government regulations for financial aid awarding. You should consult your advisor in the Office of Financial Aid.
Example 1:
Monique is a dependent, non-Maryland resident recipient of a Chair’s Scholarship ($5,000 per semester for tuition & fees and room & board + $250 per semester toward books & supplies) living on campus. Here are her awards and need for the YEAR.
| Awards: |
|
Budget: $21,000 |
| Chair’s Scholarship |
$10000 |
|
| Book Award |
$ 500 |
|
| Pell Grant |
$ 4000 |
|
| Subsidized loan |
$ 4000 |
|
| Religious Scholarship |
$ 1000 |
|
| Total Financial Aid Package |
$ 19500 |
|
Budget – funding = $21,000 – 19,500 = $1,500
The difference between her budget and her package is positive. Therefore, Monique’s Chair’s Scholarship funding will NOT be reduced. Her Chair’s Scholarship award for each semester will be $5000 for tuition & fees and room & board + $250 for books & supplies. She may be eligible to receive a refund from the excess funding.
Example 2:
Steven is a dependent, Maryland resident recipient of a Chair’s Scholarship (up to $5,000 per semester for tuition & fees + $250 per semester toward books & supplies) living off campus. Here are his awards and need for the YEAR.
| Awards: |
|
Budget: $6500 |
| Chair’s Scholarship |
$10000 |
|
| Book Award |
$ 500 |
|
| Pell Grant |
$ 1000 |
|
| Corporate Scholarship |
$ 3000 |
|
| Total Financial Aid Package |
$ 14500 |
|
Budget – funding = $6,500 – 14,500 = - $8,000
The difference between his budget and his package is negative. Therefore, Steven’s Chair’s Scholarship funding MIGHT be reduced.
The Honors Program and the Financial Aid Office would review Steven’s financial aid records. As a rule of thumb, we usually allow you to retain enough Honors Program funding (within the guidelines of the scholarship definition) to cover at least the cost of your University bill as determine by the Bursar’s office plus your book allowance (if your scholarship includes one).
After reviewing his records (Financial Aid and Bursar Offices), Steven’s financial aid package is as follows:
| Awards: |
|
| Chair’s Scholarship |
$ 3000 |
| Book Award |
$ 500 |
| Pell Grant |
$ 2000 |
| Corporate Scholarship |
$ 3000 |
| Total Financial Aid Package |
$ 8500 |
Remember, the final financial aid package you receive will be determined by your situation.
**There are some forms of financial aid (for example, certain kinds of contracts and stipends) that are exceptions to the rules/ examples stated above. If you have an employment contract or stipend and you have a question about a reduction in your award, you should contact the Financial Aid Office.**
1 Although we neither encourage nor discourage you from accepting loans to help finance the cost of your education, we strongly encourage you to consult your financial aid advisor before you and/or your family accept any federal Title IV loan monies. Federal regulations limit the total amount of financial aid that you may receive if you accept a Title IV loan. Your financial aid advisor can help you work through the figures.
Question: My scholarship includes an allowance for “books & supplies.” What kind of supplies may I purchase?
Response: Supplies includes notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, erasers, planners, computer disks, and other school/ class related products. Although the University Bookstore may allow you to purchase other products using your Bear Card, you should only use Honors Program funds to purchase items like those listed above. If you abuse or misuse Honors Program funds, we may bill you for the unauthorized purchase(s) and/or reduce/ cancel your books & supplies allowance.
Question: Does Morgan have any special facilities for its award recipients?
Response: Yes, Morgan has both female and male students' Honors residence halls. Freshmen award recipients are very strongly encouraged to reside on-campus in an Honors residence halls. Many upper classmen elect to remain in the Honors residence hall for all four years of their stay at Morgan. The Honors residence halls have computer labs, study and conference rooms as well as a living climate that supports conscientious students and study buddies/ teams/ groups.
Question: Are Honors Scholars required to live on campus?
Response: You are not required to live on campus, although at least a one-year residency is strongly recommended. However, if you are a first-time freshman and are planning to live on-campus, we require you to live in an Honors residence hall if space is available.
Question: I have a scholarship that covers most or all of my tuition & fees and on-campus room & board costs, but I do not want to live on campus. Will the Honors Program pay for me to get an apartment off campus or give me the money for the room and board costs?
Response: No. The room & board portion of a scholarship will only pay for you to live in specific University-managed housing. However, we will provide you with a commuter meal plan and additional “book money” if you have excess funding but choose to live off-campus.
Question: If I see that there is Honors Program money on my account that amounts to more than what the University bills me (tuition & fees and/or on-campus room & board), may I use that money for something like… book coupons beyond what I’ve been allotted?
Response: No. If you see that there is more money in your account than you should receive, you should immediately contact the Honors Program Office. If you use ANY of these funds without the written permission from the HONORS PROGRAM OFFICE, we will bill you accordingly. This includes using those funds to get a refund, buy additional books, pay fines, etc. You will be responsible for making arrangements with the Bursar’s office to repay any amount above what you were due.
Question: Does the University offer summer orientation sessions for new students?
Response: Yes. During the summer prior to your first year, the University’s Counseling Center conducts three orientation sessions called the Introduction to the University Program. Two sessions are held in July, and the third and final session is held in August immediately preceding the beginning of the fall semester.
The Counseling Center notifies all students admitted to the University of the dates, times, activities and costs associated with the orientation program. The Honors Program does not pay for any costs associated with these sessions.
Question: Do I have to attend an Introduction to the University session?
Response: OK…just because you celebrate your eighteenth birthday or receive a high school diploma doesn’t mean that you are suddenly able to handle being away from home for an extended period and/or know how to handle your newly acquired college freedoms. You can best handle the transition from high school life to college life after you’ve gone through a lot of thought, planning and prioritized action.
We understand that not everyone adjusts to change at the same rate. However, we work to encourage and empower you to grow and develop as a young adult student while you continue to do the great things that helped you earn your award. The University expects you to maintain the Honors Program’s eligibility standards while completing the requirements for your Bachelor's degree.
The many activities that make up the orientation are vital to a smooth and rewarding transition to the University. Because students that attend orientation appear to adjust far more readily than students that do not attend, WE REQUIRE YOU TO ATTEND OREINTATION IF YOU ARE A NEW FRESHMAN OR TRANSFER STUDENT RECEIVING A SHOLARSHIP.
Question: I was admitted and offered a scholarship, why do I have to take the Freshmen Placement Exam?
Response: Sometimes students are able to cram a lot of information that is easy to remember but more difficult to apply when needed to solve real life problems. At Morgan, we are serious about the quality of education we provide our students. We use placement tests to determine your proficiency in particular academic areas. Based on your test results, we will allow you to register for classes where you are likely to function and achieve the greatest immediate and long-term success. However, we also recognize the level of your past achievements. Therefore, we do NOT require freshman scholars that have earned a cumulative high school grade-point average of 3.0 and a total SAT I: Reasoning Test score of 1100 or higher (or an ACT composite score of 24 or higher) to register for any developmental courses.
Question: Does my academic advisement remain in the department of my chosen major or is the Honors Program staff responsible for my academic advisement?
Response: The responsibility for academic advisement remains in the department that you have chosen as your major. The Honors Program staff works with individual faculty, departments and other university offices to support and supplement the academic advisement process.
Question: I know that I am required to register for at least fifteen (15) credits for a semester. During my pre-registration period, I was not able to get all the classes that I wanted because some sections were filled. Will I receive a warning for registering for too few credits?
Response: We understand that sections sometimes close before you get a chance to register. We will allow you until the end of the “add period” of the new semester to register for at least your minimum required credit hour load.
Question: What should I do if all the Honors courses and sections are closed when I register?
Response: You must register for an Honors course or section if one is offered. If the course is over-subscribed, the department chair over the course might grant you an “override” into a section if necessary. Since you KNOW that you are required to register for the Honors courses/ sections, you should plan your schedule accordingly. If there are no Honors courses/ sections offered, you will not be held accountable. However, if a course is not initially listed as being offered for a semester, you should frequently check BEFORE the end of the late registration period to find-out whether the course has been added to the list of courses offered for the semester. If the course has been added to the roster, you must adjust your schedule or get written permission from the Honors Program director or his/her designee to remain in the non-Honors section.
Question: How do I get into a section of a non-Honors course that is closed?
Response: If you need to get into a section of a course that is closed, you should visit the office of the department chair of that course to seek an “override” into the course as early as possible. If you are unsuccessful, you should immediately visit the Honors Program office. We will request an override from the department chair on your behalf. We cannot guarantee you that you will be placed into the section that you want, but we will do what we can to accommodate your request.
Question: If there’s a really good professor teaching a course and his section is closed, may I get an override to get into it?
Response: Overrides are not given for “personal convenience.” If a section of a course is available that fits into your schedule, you must register for that section. If you see that a section is open but you wait too late to register, you must see the department chair of the course to get an override.
Question: I requested an override into a section and was told that it was granted. What do I do next?
Response: You should pick up a form that you will need to take to the Office of Records and Registration. Once you deliver the form to Records and Registration, you should begin or continue going to class. You should check on WebSIS to make sure that the class appears on your schedule. In any case, if the section does not appear on your schedule within 10 business days after Records and Registration has received the override form, you should immediately stop by the office to see us.
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Question: If I register for 18 credit hours then later in the semester drop a 4-credit course (leaving myself with 14 credit hours), will I be given a warning for maintaining fewer than 15 credit hours?
Response: Yes. Fifteen (15) earned credit hours is the minimum standard for Honors-level satisfactory progress.
Question: If I experience difficulty with a course, is it all right if I get tutors or attend tutorial sessions?
Response: Yes. You should first alert the professor of the course in which you are having difficulty. Sometimes professors may offer extra sessions, recommend departmental or other designated tutors, or assign/ recommend supplemental reading or work materials.
Question: Are there any benefits to study groups?
Response: Yes, and we strongly encourage students to study in small groups (2-5) in addition to studying independently.
Question: What is the DEAN'S LIST?
Response: The DEAN’S LIST is an honor from The President and Provost that recognizes outstanding academic achievement. Each year during the first week in April, the Honors Program hosts the Honors Convocation. During this event, the academic achievement of students attaining either a minimum spring or fall semester grade point average of 3.4 while completing 15 or more computable semester hours and having no missing grade, grade of "I" or grade less than "C" or a minimum spring or fall semester grade point average of 3.6 while completing 12-14 computable semester hours and having no missing grade, grade of "I" or grade less than "C" is recognized.
Question: How do I go about finding an internship or co-op assignment?
Response: First, you should start searching early. The earlier you start, the more time you have to identify opportunities.
Secondly, you should apply early. Start completing your applications in October or November. Many of the “better” internships have early application deadlines. By December, you should be ready to mail all of your completed applications and supporting documents (transcripts, letters of evaluation, etc.). Regardless of the deadline, the sooner you mail your applications, the sooner you will have completed that part of the process.
Finally, be sure to follow-up on your applications. You want to know that the selectors have received your application and all supporting documents (for example, letters of recommendation/ evaluation), especially the ones that were not mailed along with the application.
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Question: What can I do to make myself more attractive/ competitive for an internship or co-op opportunity?
Response: Here’s our best advice to you.
First, you should learn as much as you can. Very rarely does anyone seek the person that knows the least.
Secondly, you should take advantage of every opportunity you get to learn a new skill. The more you know the more valuable you are.
Thirdly, you should learn as much as you can about your prospective selectors company, institution, division, etc. This lets them know that you have an idea about what you’re “getting yourself into” and are somewhat prepared for the undertaking.
Finally, you should make sure that all of you personal records are up-to-date and correct. These include documents like immigration records and credit reports. Since you might not know what documents will be required from you by your selector, you should be proactive to ensure that everything is “in order.”
And since we’ve mentioned credit reports, here’s some advice that you should take seriously….
Many employers now require prospective employees to pass credit report evaluations. If you have bills (credit cards, cell phone, rent, utilities, etc), you should pay them regularly and on-time. When you develop a history of non- or late payments, your credit report will reflect this history. Although you might have extenuating circumstances, you should remember that, from the perspective of an employer, you have a history that demonstrates irresponsibility. Therefore, you should practice having bills and only spending money that you have. Both you and we would hate to know that you were denied a wonderful opportunity with a company because you have a bad credit report.
MAKE WISE SPENDING CHOICES AND PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME!!!
Question: Suppose I am offered a semester-long internship with a company. Will I lose my scholarship?
Response: No. We will grant you a leave of absence from your scholarship and allow you to maintain your funding for up to the number of semesters indicated in your award letter as long as you are in good Honors standing. In fact, we strongly encourage corporate internships, research assistantships, and official studies abroad. The number of students that take study leaves, practicums, co-ops and internships has increased each year during the last five years. We expect the number of students taking advantage of these special opportunities to continue to increase.
You must coordinate your leave of absence from the university through your major department and college/ school. The Honors Program does not grant a leave-of-absence from the University.
If the University grants you a leave-of-absence, you must notify the Honors Program office in writing of your planned return. You should do this at within four to six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester you return.
Question: As a new freshman or transfer student Scholarship Recipient, if I do not meet the minimum ”Honors-level Satisfactory Academic Progress” criteria, will I immediately lose my scholarship?
Response: Possibly. It depends on which requirement(s) you failed to meet. We are STRONGLY committed to providing you the highest quality education possible and having you graduate on time. We regret having to cancel any student’s scholarship; however, we must maintain the Program’s academic integrity. We offered you a scholarship based on your previously demonstrated academic achievements. Therefore, we require you to continue achieving at a high level because we KNOW that you are very capable of doing so.
Question: Not that it will ever happen, but what would happen if I received a "D" or "F" as a final grade in a course?
Response: If you receive an Honors-level failing grade (“D,” “F,” “WF,” or “FL”) as a final grade, we might cancel your scholarship. (See “Maintaining a Scholarship” for further details). You must retake the failed course(s) immediately! You should "Drop and Add" or otherwise adjust your new semester registration to include the course in Question.
You could lose your scholarship if you receive an Honors-level failing grade. However, in the event that you still received a scholarship, you should remember that if you receive an Honors-level failing grade in ANY future course or examination listed on your Morgan transcript or if you receive three or more failing grades while you are the recipient of Honors Program funding, we will cancel your scholarship regardless of how high your session, semester, or cumulative GPA is.
Question: What happens if my scholarship has a “warning” status?
Response: A “warning” is official notification that you have failed to meet at least one of your scholarship maintenance requirements. When this happens, there is a chance that your funding award will not be continued after the next semester. Moreover, we do not grant waivers and other perks that require us to guarantee to a reasonable extent that you will continue to receive Honors Program funding.
If your warning is in effect during a fall semester, you should make arrangements to pay your spring semester bill because the money will be due to the University BEFORE we complete evaluations of fall semester grades. If you fail to pay your bill, your schedule may be dropped for non-payment by the bursar’s office. If this happens, YOU will have to reconstruct your schedule as best you can.
If your semester’s academic performance puts you back in “good standing,” we will notify you and the Office of Financial Aid that your funding will be continued. You will then be able to apply for any refund due to you.
Question: Suppose I get sick and require hospitalization. Will that cause me to lose my scholarship?
Response: No; but you must provide documents to substantiate any request for a leave of absence and coordinate the documentation processing through your major department and college/ school/ institute. Subsequently, you must notify the Honors Program office.
In the event that you become seriously ill during the early part of a semester and you are unable to continue attending classes, you should seek a Medical Cancellation of Registration. This option allows you to withdraw from school and not be billed for the short duration of your class attendance. Consequently, the Honors Program may use your funding to supplement the educational costs of another deserving student. You should contact an official from your Dean’s office to pursue this option. In any event, we still require you to notify the Honors Program office to keep us aware of your situation.
Question: Can I get a leave from my scholarship to take time-out to backpack across Africa?
Response: Um…it’s not likely. Study leaves must be affiliated with educational institutions and/or other accredited academic, industrial, or governmental organizations and must be approved by your academic department and school.
Question: So wait…I’m a little confused. How does the Honors Program view academic and administrative (including medical) withdrawals?
Response: You should consult the University catalog for rules and regulations associated with a withdrawal.
The Honors Program has a vested interest in your completing a degree in 3.5 - 4 years (or five or fewer semesters for transfer students). If an unforeseen catastrophe occurs in your life and interferes with ability to perform in your classes, you should CAREFULLY consider all of your options, including obtaining an official withdrawal from your registered classes. If you choose to withdraw from your classes, we will evaluate your Honors Program academic standing for the semester using the Honors-level Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. You should keep in mind the guidelines listed below when making your decision.
- You should NOT use a withdrawal as an option to “save” your funding award if you are performing poorly in your classes. Therefore, you are REQUIRED to obtain Honors Student Evaluation Forms from the Honors Program Office and have each of your professors complete a form so that the Program can evaluate your Honors-level academic standing at the time of your withdrawal. The information submitted by your professors will determine your Honors Program academic standing for the semester. We will treat each missing evaluation as a report of unsatisfactory academic progress in the course. YOU are responsible for obtaining these forms and ensuring that your professors return the form to the Honors Program before the final day of examinations for the semester.
- If you obtain a withdrawal, you must withdraw from ALL of your courses. Otherwise, we will evaluate your “withdrawal” as dropped courses.
- When you plan to return to school, you should notify the Honors program within four to six weeks prior to the first day of classes of the semester in which you plan to return. This will give us enough time to evaluate your records to determine your eligibility for scholarship funding.
- Unless you have extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical reasons), we will not permit you to incur more than one withdrawal during your undergraduate tenure at Morgan and maintain your Honors Program funding. A second withdrawal will result in the cancellation of your scholarship. However, you may appeal the decision to the Program.
Question: Other than for an academic concern, is there anyway I can lose my scholarship?
Response: Yes. If you violate certain funding maintenance requirements, you will receive a “warning” as the penalty. If you accumulate a specified number of warning semesters (depending on the award), we will cancel your scholarship. On another front, the University requires you to abide by certain standards of honesty, safety and conduct. You may pick up a copy of the Morgan State University Student Handbook Code of Conduct in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. You should read and know the material in that handbook. The Honors Program embraces all facets of a challenging and rewarding living and learning environment.
Question: What happens if I lose my scholarship and have to appeal?
Response: If we cancel your scholarship and you think we made a mistake when we evaluated your grades and/or credits based on your specific requirements, you should appeal our decision. Your appeal should be strictly based on your academic performance.
If we made a mistake during our evaluation, we will quickly correct our error and notify you in writing of your correct scholarship status.
If you are disputing a grade with a professor, you should try to settle the dispute as quickly as possible. We make our evaluations based on your recorded grades, and we assume that your grades are correct unless we see otherwise or your professor(s) tell us otherwise.
If we did not make a mistake in our evaluation, we will render a decision on your appeal based on your academic requirements, your academic record, and the availability of funds. The amount of time we take to make this decision could be after the first day of classes, depending on the time of year (beginning of the fall or spring semester). Although our first obligation is to the students that are receiving awards, we will make a decision on your case and notify you as soon as we can. Please remember that the University requires you to adhere to certain deadlines for making financial arrangements to pay your bill. Since we do not guarantee your appeal will be granted or that you will receive the same level of funding that you previously received, you are responsible for making arrangements to pay your bill based on the University’s deadline. If the Bursar’s office drops your schedule for non- payment or insufficient payment, YOU will be responsible for reconstructing your schedule.
Question: If I want to attend a mini-mester or summer school session, will the Honors Program provide the money?
Response: Generally, the answer is, “No.” Honors Program awards cover costs associated with academic semesters and do not include any provisions for academic sessions. However, there are two exceptions to the rule.
Firstly, students majoring in Medical Technology are REQUIRED to register for certain courses that are offered ONLY during the summer between their junior and senior years and the winter mini-mester of their senior year. These courses are a required part of their curriculum; and therefore, the Honors Program will fund these students based on the type of award that they have.
Secondly, if there is money available to assist students during a summer session (no funds are ever available for the winter mini-mester), and we provide you with funding, we expect you to earn a grade of “A” or “B” in the course…..period. If you suspect that you are unable to earn either of those grades, you should decline the funding offer. If you fail to earn a grade of “A” or “B” in any course taken during a session in which we provided you funding, we will not provide you with any future scholarship funding.
Question: Do the grades I earn during a mini-mester or summer school session effect my scholarship funding if I pay for them with non-Honors money?
Response: All grades earned in courses taken at Morgan impact your academic records. Keep the following in mind.
- We always require you to achieve academically. Therefore, all grades influence your scholarship eligibility and status. If you are not a freshman, your scholarship status is based on your performance during the academic semesters. You should be spending your winter working or resting, and your summers working.
- If you take a summer or winter course, the course SHOULD NOT have an Honors equivalent. We require you to take Honors sections/ courses. If you take a course that has an Honors equivalent, and you don’t receive permission from the Honors program director or assistant director, you will receive a warning. This warning could result in the reduction or cancellation of your scholarship.
- Grades of “B” and “C” will generally reduce your academic grade-point average. You could end up with a warning. This warning could result in the reduction or cancellation of your scholarship.
- Grades of “D” or “F” will result in a scholarship reduction or cancellation. Honors students are never allowed to earn failing grades in ANY course take at Morgan.
- If you are a freshman, grades earned in summer or winter courses will enhance, have no bearing on, or reduce your scholarship standing. Therefore, you should choose your course(s) wisely.
- If you are an upperclassman, grades earned in summer/ winter courses will either have no effect or reduce your Honors scholarship status.
- Question: Is it possible to have my award “upgraded?”
Response: Yes. First, you must have received a scholarship for at least the two (2) academic semesters prior to the semester that you would like the upgrade. Secondly, you must have never received a scholarship warning other than for an incomplete grade. Thirdly, you must complete a scholarship application and specifically request an upgrade.
Generally, we accept applications for scholarship upgrades during the second week of April of an academic year. However, if funds are available, we will accept applications for a spring semester upgrade during the first two weeks of November. Applications MUST be returned to the Honors Program office by May 1 (for upgrades beginning during the fall semester) or December 1 (for upgrades beginning during the spring semester).
However, as a courtesy, if you perform exceptionally well we may offer you a scholarship upgrade regardless of whether you submitted an application. You are free to decline our offer if you wish.
We evaluate upgrade applications using the same criteria that we use for new awards. However, because an upgrade generally represents a significant increase in funding, responsibilities, and maintenance requirements, your achievements, accomplishments, evaluations, etc., must be truly outstanding. If we approve your application, you must sign a new Specific Requirements agreement before we apply the new funds to your account.
Question: I’m a graduating senior, and I need fewer than 15 credits to complete all of my graduation requirements. Do I HAVE to register for at least 15 credits? I’ve taken an “overload” (at least 19 credits) a few times. That’s why I have so few credits remaining.
Response: We applaud your registering for and completing more than 18 credits in a semester. However, that accomplishment is…well… an expectation for high ability students.
But, if you are a final semester graduating senior in good Honors academic standing, will graduate on time or early , have never received a warning because of grades or credit load, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or greater, and will complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours for the academic year, we will allow you to register for fewer than fifteen (15) credits during your final semester. However, you must register for, maintain, and pass at least twelve (12) credit hours for the semester.
If you do not meet ALL of the above criteria, and you register for fewer than 15 credits for the semester, we will REDUCE your total final semester award by $1000 for every credit below 15 that you complete.
WE WILL NOT PROVIDE YOU ANY FUNDS IF YOU ARE REGISTERED FOR FEWER THAN 12 CREDIT HOURS!!
Question: If I do not finish my degree program in the allotted time (2.5 or 4 years), may I get my scholarship funding extended?
Response: It is possible to be granted an additional semester of funding. However, this is the exception and not the rule. You must first complete a scholarship application and specifically request an additional semester of funding. We will evaluate your funding request based on your overall academic merit, accomplishments, faculty and Honors Program evaluations, and circumstances. “Additional semester” scholarships, like all other scholarships, are based upon the availability of funds. If we approve your application, you must sign a new Specific Requirements agreement before any money will be applied to your account.