Senior Degree Completion Grant

Op5.08-21 Senior Degree Completion Grant

The Senior Degree Completion Grant (SDCG) is a one-time grant designed to assist undergraduate 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. Grants may be awarded to students who:

• Are admitted to a degree program;
• Have a cumulative grade point average (MSU and combined) of 2.00 or higher;
• Are within a year of graduating as documented by a degree audit and student educational planner;
• 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 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 a SDCG Review Committee, which will be composed of members appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Assistant Vice President for Multicultural Services. 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 $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.