Return-to-Learn Scholarship

The Return-To-Learn Scholarship is a two-semester scholarship created to help returning students adjust back to life as a student. It is designed to help students improve their academic performance, financial literacy, and career focus.

Scholarship recipients  will have unlimited access to AYCSS resources includign career coaches, financial coaches, success advisors, free tutoring, and more.

Apply today for Summer and Fall 2024 Scholarships!

Eligibility

The Office of Return to Learn offers two types of Return-to-Learn Scholarships: Merit-Based and Circumstance-Based Scholarships. As such, all returning students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply!

Circumstance-Based Scholarship

  • Applicant must be seeking their first undergraduate bachelor’s degree
  • Applicant must be returning to MSU after an absence of at least one academic year (two semesters).
  • Applicant must be enrolled in and maintain the specified credit hours on the scholarship offer letter during the awarded semester.
  • Applicant’s GPA or academic standing is not considered in the review process.

Merit-Based Scholarship

  • Applicant must be seeking their first undergraduate bachelor’s degree
  • Applicant must be returning to MSU after an absence of at least one academic year (two semesters).
  • Applicant must be enrolled in and maintain the specified credit hours on the scholarship offer letter during the awarded semester.
  • Applicant must have at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA and be in Good Academic Standing.

Selection and Awarding

Return-to-Learn Scholarship awards are awarded based on:

  • Your personal growth, as demonstrated in your scholarship application essays.
  • Commitment to comply with scholarship requirements (including adhering to your MSU
  • Academic Success & Career Plan during your two semesters of receiving the scholarship).

If awarded a scholarship, we will send an offer letter to the email entered on the scholarship application via DocuSign, with additional instructions on steps required to receive your scholarship award.

To receive scholarship funds, Return-to-Learn Scholars must:

  • Sign and accept the offer letter via DocuSign.
  • Submit a Thank You letter via the Cat Scholarships portal.
  • Attend a one-on-one introductory appointment with a Return-to-Learn Advisor to develop a personalized Success & Career Plan.
  • Attend the Return-to-Learn Welcome Back Event, at the beginning of their firstsemester of receiving the scholarship.

Benefits and Guidelines

The Return-to-Learn Scholarship program offers:

  • A two-semester Scholarship award in the amount of $250 - $750 per semester.
  • Free tutoring through graduation!
  • Free Career Assessments, such as the Strong Interest Inventory (typically $20).
  • Events and workshops

Eligibility

The Office of Return to Learn offers two types of Return-to-Learn Scholarships: Merit-Based and Circumstance-Based Scholarships. As such, all returning students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply!

  • Applicant must be seeking their first undergraduate bachelor’s degree
  • Applicant must be returning to MSU after an absence of at least one academic year (two semesters).

Circumstance-Based Scholarship

  • Applicant’s GPA or academic standing is not considered in the review process.

Merit-Based Scholarship

  • Applicant must have at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA and be in Good Academic Standing.

Selection and Awarding

Return-to-Learn Scholarship awards are awarded based on:

  • Your personal growth, as demonstrated in your scholarship application essays.
  • Commitment to comply with scholarship requirements (including adhering to your MSU
  • Academic Success & Career Plan during your two semesters of receiving the scholarship).

If you are awarded a scholarship, we will send an offer letter to the email entered on the scholarship application via DocuSign with additional instructions on how to receive your award.

To receive scholarship funds, Return-to-Learn Scholars must:

  • Sign and accept the offer letter via DocuSign.
  • Submit a Thank You letter via the Cat Scholarships portal.
  • Attend a one-on-one introductory appointment with a Return-to-Learn Advisor to develop a personalized Success & Career Plan.
  • Attend the Return-to-Learn Welcome Back Event at the beginning of their first semester of receiving the scholarship.

Other Considerations

  • To serve as many students as possible fitting our eligibility criteria, Return-to-Learn Scholarships cannot be “stacked” or combined with the following scholarship programs:
    • MSU Hilleman Scholars Program
    • Horatio Alger Scholars Program
    • 1893 Scholarship Program
    • Montana’s Own Scholarship Program
  • Scholarships will be applied directly to the scholarship recipient’s account.