MSA Program

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The application for the Multicultural Scholastic Award Program (MSA) is currently available for download. The submission deadline is March 15, 2008. 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:

  • The application can be completed electronically with the Adobe Acrobat software, and then printed.
  • Supports the Texas Higher Education's Closing the Gap by 2015 program.
  • Each application must be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.


Contents

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 (Math/Verbal) or 21 on the ACT.
  • Preferably should be in the top quarter of their class.
  • Transfer freshman applicants with 29 or fewer college credit hours 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.
  • Must have applied for admission to UNT.

UNT Undergraduate Continuing

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

Graduate

  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
  • Must have been accepted by the UNT Toulouse School of Graduate Studies or be a current graduate student at UNT.


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)


Application Packet Includes:

  • Completed application form
  • One letter of recommendation - the letter must be from a teacher, professor, or employer. The letter must be on letterhead.
  • 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 MSA.
  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.


Requirements to maintain the award

  • Enroll for full time each semester in the 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:
    • MSA Volunteers. On / off-campus community service - 25 hours per semester.
    • Champions of Equity and Diversity. Organizations in which UNT students volunteer in the Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth community in various educational outreach endeavors. Sponsored by the Center for Outreach and Community Involvement.
    • UNT G-Force. An organization in which students volunteer to work with students 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.

Note: It is imperative 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. (March 15th of each year).

Retrieved from "http://coci.unt.edu/index.php/MSA_Program"