Degree Completion Assistance Fund

Op5.08-23 Degree Completion Assistance Fund

The Degree Completion Assistance Fund (DCAF) is a one-time grant designed to assist undergraduate or graduate students who are experiencing circumstances resulting in an outstanding balance with the university that prevents them from either continuing their enrollment, registering for a future semester, or graduating from MSU. Grants may be awarded to students who meet all of the following criteria:

• Have declared a degree program;
• Have a cumulative grade point average (MSU and combined) of 2.00 or higher;
• Have an eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status;
• Have documented financial need as shown on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and,
• Have utilized all available aid, including Pell, Direct Student Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal Perkins loan.

Students who meet these criteria must confer with a financial aid counselor who will review their financial aid status and verify initial eligibility. Once initial eligibility is verified, students must submit to the Office of Student Financial Aid a completed application, to include appropriate documentation of the exceptional circumstances that they believe justify their need for the grant. The application will be reviewed by a DCAF Review Committee, which will be composed of members appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. The Committee may require additional documentation to support a student’s request.

Award amounts will be determined by the Committee based on a student’s eligibility and circumstances, but will not exceed $1,500. Grants must be used to pay existing or upcoming charges on a student’s university account. No student may receive more than one DCAF grant and the DCAF grant is not renewable. DCAF grant funds are limited and once the available DCAF grant funds have been awarded for a given fiscal year, no additional students will be considered.