Many students will not pursue a graduate degree because they already have undergrad student loans to pay and feel like they can’t afford it. Did you know MSU offers scholarships to help offset the cost of grad school? We proudly offer several scholarships to qualified grad students, but these two should be top priorities to apply for: the Need-Based Scholarship for Graduate Students and the Graduate Scholarship for Enhancing Diversity.
The Need-Based Scholarship for Graduate Students is a $1,000 per semester award and may be renewed for the two semesters immediately following the initial semester of enrollment (three semesters total). To qualify, students must:
• Be admitted to and enrolled at least half-time (5 credit hours in fall or spring; 3 credit hours in summer) in a graduate program within one year of receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., students who graduate in May must enroll in a graduate program the following summer, fall, or spring semester)
• Have qualified for a Pell Grant during their final year as an undergraduate
• Have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the semester of their initial enrollment in a graduate program showing an EFC that would qualify for Pell if enrolled as an undergraduate
• Have an undergraduate grade point average (either overall or on the last 60 credit hours) of at least 3.25
• Application deadlines – Fall semester: June 1
Spring semester: November 15
Summer session: April 1
The Graduate Scholarship for Enhancing Diversity is a $1,000 per semester award and may be renewed for a maximum of 4 semesters for degree-seeking students (2 semesters for certificate students), and can be used in fall, spring or summer semesters. To qualify, students must:
• Have an undergraduate degree from a US college/university recognized by Missouri State University
• Be admitted into a graduate program by the application date and enrolled in courses for this program by the start of classes
• Have an undergraduate GPA (total or last 60 credit hours) of 3.0 or a graduate GPA (at least nine credit hours) of 3.0
• Take at least six credit hours per semester, except final semester if fewer are needed
• The ideal candidate for this scholarship can contribute to increased multicultural awareness on campus through his/her life experiences demonstrating the ability to overcome adversity
• Application deadline – April 1
Application deadlines are approaching fast! For more information and to access the applications for each of these scholarships, please visit http://www.missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/scholarships/Graduate.htm.