Montana University System Overview and Review

1
Montana University System Overview and Review

• MUS Honor Scholarship
• Governors Best and Brightest Scholarship

2
A Quick Review

• The MUS Honor Scholarship replaced the High
  School Honor Scholarship in 2004
• In 2005, the Governor introduced the Governors
  Best and Brightest Scholarship
• In 2007, The Governor introduced and the
  Legislature approved CAP. The Regents agreed not
  to raise tuition during the 08-09 biennium.

3
A Quick Review

• It was not possible to keep tuition level AND
  maintain the same number of MUS Honor
  Scholarships
• In 2007, the Regents approved the new MUS Honor
  Scholarship policy
• In combination with the Governors Best and
  Brightest Scholarship, all Montana high schools
  are guaranteed to receive at least one
  scholarship

4
MUS HS Eligibility Requirements

• Prospective recipients must
• Graduate from an accredited Montana High School
• Be enrolled at an accredited Montana High School
  for at least 3 years including senior year
• Be a US Citizen
• Meet the Board of Regents rigorous core
  requirements (grad 2010)
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.4
• Be accepted to an eligible Montana Campus

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Eligible Campuses

• Montana State University
• Bozeman
• Billings
• Billings College of Technology
• Northern
• Great Falls College of Technology
• University of Montana
• Missoula
• Missoula College of Technology
• Western
• Montana Tech
• Montana Tech College of Technology
• Helena College of Technology

• Community Colleges
• Dawson
• Flathead Valley
• Miles
• Governors Scholarship also includes Montana
  Tribal Schools

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Impact to Students

• Highest GPA NOT guaranteed to be an MUS HS
  Recipient
• Reiterates importance of ACT/SAT score
• Taking challenging classes math, science,
  advanced placement/honors classes
• Allow time to retake ACT/SAT
• Prepare for ACT/SAT by taking practice tests
• www.SmartAboutCollege.org

7
Impact to HS Administrators

• Each school decides whether to use
  weighted/honors class scoring methodology
• Each school decides GPA decimal point extension

8
Choosing Recipients

• All Seniors with a 3.4 or higher GPA will be
  ranked
• The student (s) with the highest GPA will receive
  30 points
• The student (s) with the second highest GPA will
  receive 29 points
• Pattern continues until all students have been
  ranked or you have scored down to 1 point
• GPA points are added to ACT or SAT score
• Highest composite scores will be awarded
  scholarship

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Who Gets Ranked?

• Jane Smith valedictorian, going to Harvard and
  did not apply for the MUS HS Yes
• Tom Jones 2nd highest GPA, going to MSU Yes
• Heinrich Grote 3rd highest GPA, German exchange
  student No
• Fred Thomason 4th highest GPA, home schooled
  every year but senior year No
• Nancy Johnson 5th highest GPA, going into the
  Army Yes
• Mike Green 6th highest GPA, transferred from
  another Montana accredited high school Yes

10
Score Calculation ExampleWeighted Average, 3
decimal point calculation
11
Score Calculation ExampleWeighted Average, 1
decimal point calculation
12
Score Calculation ExampleNo weighted averages
1 decimal
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State Wide Competition

• Students compete across the state
• Schools are not guaranteed a winner
• Some schools may have more than one recipient

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Distributing the Application

• 2nd Week in September
• Initial packet mailed to all accredited high
  schools
• 1st Friday in December
• Actual application packets will be mailed out
• Copies of the application should be made and
  handed out to all
• eligible seniors!

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The Application Timeline

• February 15th - Students must return to
  designated official
• Completed application
• College Acceptance Letter (CAL)
• Documented ACT or SAT scores
• February 20th - Designated officials must send to
  MGSLP
• All applications, CALs, and ACT or SAT scores
• 7th semester transcripts
• March 15th - Certification forms or class ranking
  lists must be sent to MGSLP
• If returning class ranking list it must contain
  the same information as requested on the
  certification form
• May - MGSLP will send out final award materials
  to HS

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Relinquishing the Scholarship

• Waives all rights to the scholarship
• Must be done by May 15th
• MGSLP may award scholarship to next highest
  ranked student (but not likely as we award
  expecting a certain number of relinquishments)
• Form must be signed by both the student and legal
  guardian
• NOT Reversible

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Students who do NOT return an application by Feb
15thwill not be considered for the MUS Honor
Scholarship!NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Renewing the Scholarship

• Undergraduate study only
• To renew annually students must
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4
• Complete at least 30 credit hours per academic
  year
• Students also lose eligibility if
• Cease to be enrolled
• Violate the student code of conduct

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Additional Information

• Appeal provisions if unable to complete yearly
  progress due to extenuating circumstances
• Summer tuition may be waived at the discretion of
  campus
• Scholarship transferable between eligible
  campuses
• Approve on-line classes with home campus

20
Potential Board Changes

• Eliminate 9 months to use
• Require notification of intent to use, including
  which school

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Helpful Websites and Emails

• MGSLP Website www.mgslp.org
• Policy 501.1-MUSHS www.mus.edu/borpol/bor500/5011
  .htm
• Policy 301.7-B of R College Prep
  www.mus.edu/borpol/bor300/301-7.pdf
• Policy 301.15-B of R Rigorous Core
  www.mus.edu/borpol/bor300/301-15.htm
• Policy 501.3-Gov www.mus.edu/borpol/bor500/501-3.
  pdf
• scholarships_at_mgslp.state.mt.us
• jkirkpatrick_at_mgslp.state.mt.us
• cbeecher_at_mgslp.state.mt.us
• 
  1-800-537-7508

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MUS Honor Scholarship2008 and 2007 Awards
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MUSHS 2008 Award Results Based on GPA and ACT