MSA Program

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The Multicultural Scholastic Award Program (MSA) is a scholarship and student retention initiative targeting academically talented students from diverse backgrounds. All students are encouraged to apply. The MSA Program offers scholarships for incoming freshmen, current UNT students, incoming transfer students, masters and doctoral students. Scholarships range from $1000 per year for undergraduate students to $1500 per year for graduate students (see below for details). UNT's Outreach and Community Involvement has administered this program since 1996 and supports over 120 students annually.


The submission deadline for the Multicultural Scholastic Award Program application is March 31, 2009. Read 'Complete Application Packet Includes' below and follow the link to download the application. It is encouraged that freshman applicants take the SATI or ACT test before or during the Fall Semester of their senior year to have their test scores available, before the application deadline.

Note:

  • Each application must be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.
  • The MSA Program supports the Texas Closing the Gaps by 2015 initiative to graduate 630,000 additional college students.
  • The MSA Program is a Top 10 Recruitment and Retention Program in Texas.
  • The application can be completed electronically with the Adobe Acrobat software, and then printed.


Contents

Complete Application Packet Includes:

  • Letter of Recommendation Form. Include one letter of recommendation from from a teacher, professor, or employer. Please use this Letter of Recommendation Form.
  • Transcripts:
    • Freshman - High School transcript showing SATI or ACT score and rank in class.
    • Transfer freshman applicants must include college transcript(s) showing cumulative GPA for all college work.
    • Transfer, UNT Undergraduate Continuing, Graduate - transcript(s) showing all college work, including cumulative GPA.
  • Write a brief essay, no more than two pages single spaced, that incorporates the following 5 discussion items:
    1. Give a brief autobiography describing your motivation for pursuing a college degree, your personal and academic achievements and include reason(s) for applying for the Multicultual Scholastic Award Program.
    2. Describe your educational and professional goals.
    3. Discuss your views concerning the challenges and benefits associated with living in a culturally diverse society. Give concrete examples of what you have done and what you plan to do to promote diversity in your school or community.
    4. Describe your philosophy regarding community service and highlight your involvement.
    5. Add other relevant information that will help the Selection Committee know you better.

Note: In order to be considered for the award, the application packet must be complete.

Benefits

  • Financial Assistance
  • Personal Development
  • Mentoring
  • Social Development
  • Cultural Enrichment
  • Academic Advising
  • Career Guidance
  • Leadership Development


Eligibility Requirements in 4 Categories

Freshman

  • Must have a score of at least 1000 on the SAT1 (Critical Reading + Math) or 21 on the ACT.
  • Preferably should be in the top quarter of their class.
  • If transferring with 29 or fewer college credit hours, prior to spring 2009, must meet entering freshman requirements and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their college work.

Transfer

  • Must have completed 30 college credit hours or more with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, prior to spring 2009.
  • Must have completed the application for admission to UNT.

UNT Undergraduate Continuing

  • Must have completed 30 college credit hours or more with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, prior to spring 2009.
  • Must be currently enrolled at UNT.

Graduate

  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
  • Must have been accepted to the UNT Toulouse School of Graduate Studies.


Value of the award

Undergraduate

  • Freshman - $4,000 ($1,000 annually, renewable for up to four years)
  • Transfer - $2,000 ($1,000 annually, renewable for up to two years)
  • UNT Continuing - one time $1,000 award

Graduate

  • $3,000 - ($1,500 annually, renewable for up to two years)


Requirements to maintain the award

  • Enroll for full time during each fall and spring semesters (12 hours Undergraduate and 9 hours Masters/Doctoral), maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for Undergraduate and a GPA of 3.5 for Masters/Doctoral
  • Keep the Center for Outreach and Community Involvement informed of any change of status or academic standing and/or academic needs and concerns.
  • Actively participate in the programs designated by the Center for Outreach and Community Involvement to receive continuous academic guidance.
  • Attend workshops and other events designed to help students succeed at UNT.
  • Recipients choose to actively participate in one of the following:
  • Complete 25 hours per semester of community service hours by actively participating in one or more of the following programs:
    • MSA Volunteers (On or off-campus community service - 25 hours per semester required). Volunteer opportunities exist to provide help and assistance on campus or away from the campus. Students are encouraged to seek volunteer opportunities with area agencies and community organizations.
    • Champions of Outreach. This group of UNT students speaks to thousands of elementary school, middle school and high school students as they visit our campus to learn about applying for college and preparing for higher education. Champions also represent UNT Outreach and community events.
    • UNT G-Force Organization. An organization in which students work at sponsored high schools in Denton, Dallas, and Fort Worth areas. Sponsored by the Center for Outreach and Community Involvement.
    • Buddy System. Peer Mentoring program. Sponsored by the Multicultural Center.


Requirements to renew the award

  • Freshman/Transfer/Graduate - Students must earn at least full time credit hours per semester (Undergraduate-12 hrs, Graduate-9 hrs for the fall and spring semesters), maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for undergraduates and 3.5 for graduates. All applicants must complete 25 hours of community service, as the COCI outlines. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS OBLIGATION WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE AWARD.

Note: MSA Recipients will not need to reapply if all requirements are satisfactorily met, with the exception of the UNT Continuing Award.

  • UNT Continuing - There is no provision to renew the scholarship for subsequent years. All applicants must reapply every year to be considered for the Award.
  • All applicants must fulfill all of the conditions outlined in the Conditions for Receipt of the Award.
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