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Michigan State University
Michigan State University

Office of Admissions
Admissions > Cost and aid > Scholarships > First-year scholarships > High-achieving student scholarships >

Scholarship regulations

Alumni and University Distinguished Scholarship regulations

  1. The student recipient must enroll at MSU for the semester that the scholarship is awarded. The award may not be deferred to a subsequent semester of initial enrollment.
  2. The value of the award is tuition up to 18 credits and fees equivalent to the number of credits taken within each of eight (8) consecutive academic year semesters of undergraduate enrollment, room and board (in a double-occupancy MSU residence hall with a DineOn Silver meal plan) and an allowance of $1,000 per year toward expenses. Students will be eligible for this award while pursuing their first undergraduate MSU degree. The award will be credited to the student’s account each eligible fall and spring semester at registration. Enrollment above 18 credits in any semester may be approved by contacting oa.scholarships@msu.edu.
  3. MSU reserves the right to adjust an award in consideration of other MSU scholarship offers. Although the award is not related to financial need, other aid programs that are awarded based on demonstrated need may be reduced or withdrawn if this award meets the student’s total need.
  4. The student is required to enroll for and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester to complete their degree in a timely manner. Scholarship funding will not extend beyond eight semesters.
  5. If enrollment at MSU is disrupted (excluding summer semester), the student must notify the Office of Admissions in advance at oa.scholarships@msu.edu and request an official leave from the university. A committee will evaluate this request.
  6. For the award to continue to disburse, the student recipient must:
    • be a member of the MSU Honors College;
    • maintain a minimum of a 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  7. The academic records of the student recipient will be reviewed at the end of the first two semesters of enrollment and thereafter each semester. If the student does not meet the minimum criteria, the student will be placed on scholarship probation for one semester. Failure to meet the minimum GPA requirements upon completion of the semester of scholarship probation will result in cancellation of the scholarship until the cumulative 3.2 GPA is re-established. Semesters for which the student recipient is not eligible to receive this award are included in the eight-semester limit.
  8. The student recipient is expected to participate in the ADS/UDS Cohort program each year during their undergraduate program. The ADS/UDS Cohort program facilitates projects, events and recruitment opportunities to ensure that scholars engage with faculty, staff and each other in aspects of personal, professional and career development.