Institutional Scholarships

Op5.08-10 Institutional Scholarships

1. Purpose & Scope

This policy establishes the foundational principles for institutionally funded scholarships at Missouri State University. Its intent is to balance transparency and accountability with adaptability in responding to shifting institutional priorities and external conditions.

2. Guiding Principles

1. Strategic Alignment: Scholarships shall support university goals including enrollment, retention, access, and academic excellence.
2. Equity: Policies shall uphold fair and accessible scholarship opportunities across all student populations. Objective criteria for eligibility and renewal will be established, documented, and maintained to ensure fairness, transparency, and defensibility.
3. Discretionary Governance: The Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM), in collaboration with relevant offices, is authorized to make operational decisions within this policy framework.
4. Transparency: Basic information on scholarship categories, intended purpose, and general selection approaches will be published for student awareness, without disclosing every operational detail.

3. Scholarship Categories

The University will continue to offer scholarships in broadly defined categories such as:

1. Merit-based
2. Need-based
3. Special earmarked (e.g., international, athletics, STEM, etc.)

Within each category, the VPEM may set specific eligibility criteria (such as GPA thresholds, credit hour requirements, or application deadlines) adaptable by academic year or incoming class to reflect evolving strategy, capacity, and funding. Any such recommendations require Presidential approval prior to implementation.

4. Operational Discretion & Oversight

1. The VPEM may recommend adjustments to award amounts, eligibility benchmarks, and renewal conditions in response to budget shifts, strategic initiatives, or external events. Any such recommendations require Presidential approval prior to implementation.
2. Any significant modification (e.g., introduction of new scholarship categories or major eligibility changes) will be documented and presented annually to university leadership for transparency.
3. Appeals, reinstatements, and exceptions shall be handled according to established operational procedures, under VPEM oversight, using clearly defined and consistently applied criteria to ensure objectivity and defend against claims of preferential or prejudicial treatment.

5. Conflict and Compliance

1. Scholarships may be combined, capped, or restricted in line with institutional guidelines and available funding.
2. The policy defers to federal, state, and accreditation regulations where applicable.
3. In cases of discrepancy, institutional operating guidelines will govern; this policy provides broad authorization and boundaries, not exhaustive detail.

Review Cycle

This policy shall be reviewed every three years or sooner if institutional conditions warrant. The VPEM shall lead the review in partnership with Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and academic leadership.