Keeping the Scholarship
You did it! The doors have finally opened! All your hard and tedious work of applying for a scholarship paid off! You won the scholarship! This is an important step in your career and you know it. Winning the scholarship places a gold feather in your cap. Keeping that feather means that you understand to the letter what your responsibilities as a student are to your sponsor. Scholarship renewal requirements are not one-size-fits-all criteria, but are unique to the school and the funding organization.
Most scholarships have eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive the award. That is only the beginning. Scholarships have eligibility requirements that must be met in order to maintain the award as well.
This page will refresh your memory of general guidelines and prompt you to get any unanswered questions answered as soon as they come up.
Renewal Requirements
Do you know what your scholarship renewal requirements are? Does your scholarship have to be renewed every year? Every four years? Be very clear about this.
Maintaining Eligibility
GPA
Most academic scholarships require a minimum GPA throughout the duration of your study to maintain and renew the scholarship. If your grades start dropping off, you may forfeit your scholarship renewal.
Academic Progress
What is deemed "satisfactory academic progress" to your sponsor may require the completion of certain courses or number of credit hours within a specified time period. Be very clear about all the fine points and details surrounding your coursework and how your coursework fits the expectations of the scholarship.
Declared Major
Maintaining a declared major or field of study is sometimes required for the purpose of maintaining your scholarship funding as it was originally distributed. If after the first semester of classes you decide that your academic ambitions lie in another field, it's a good idea to talk to your scholarship advisor about this situation before you make any changes. Find out if a change of major will cost you the scholarship. Think before you act.
Full and Part-Time Enrollment
Most scholarships require full-time enrollment. Carrying a full load is usually between 12 and 18 credit hours per semester. If the status of your enrollment falls below what is required, it could be perceived as a breach of your commitment to your sponsor.
Athletics
Athletes on scholarship need to be very savvy when it comes to injuries received as a result of participation in college sports. Obviously, the scholarship sponsor wants to see its star players on the field, not on the bench for a season due to injury. If you are injured and cannot play, ask your advisor what will happen to your scholarship.