The Multicultural Assistance Grant (MAG) is a one-time grant designed to assist students who are approaching graduation, but whose circumstances have resulted in an outstanding balance with the University that prevents them from registering for a future semester and/or graduating. The grant was originally facilitated by Multicultural Services, but has since fallen under the jurisdiction of the Office of Student Financial Aid. Grants may be awarded to students who:
- Are enrolled full-time (or, students in their last semester, enrolled in all courses needed to graduate);
- Are admitted to a degree program
- Have a grade point average (MSU and combined) or 2.50 or higher
- Plan to graduate either during the current semester or within a year of requesting the grant (must be documented with a degree audit);
- Are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress as required for federal student aid;
- Have documented financial need; and,
- Have utilized all available aid, including Pell, Direct Student Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Perkins and PLUS loans (if available to the student’s parents).
Students who meet these criteria must meet with a Financial Aid counselor who will review the student’s financial aid status and verify initial eligibility. Once initial eligibility is verified, students must submit a completed application, to include appropriate documentation of the exceptional circumstances that they believe justify their need for the grant, to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The application will be reviewed by the MAG Review Committee, which will be composed of no fewer than three financial aid professionals appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Assistant Vice President for Multicultural Services. This committee is responsible for reviewing grant applications and supporting documentation and making final eligibility and funding decisions.
All required documentation as specified on the application must be submitted with an application or it will be returned to the student. The Committee may require additional documentation to support a student’s request. Students must allow up to four weeks for their applications to be processed and reviewed by the Committee. The decision of the Committee is final and cannot be appealed.
Award amounts will be determined by the Committee based on a student’s eligibility and circumstances, but will not exceed $3,000. Grants must be used to pay existing or upcoming charges on a student’s University account. No student may receive more than one grant and the grant is not renewable. Funds are limited and once the available funds have been awarded for a given fiscal year, no additional students may be considered.
The Office of Student Financial Aid is responsible for developing the grant application form.