January Newsletter
Click here to view the newsletter as seen in print
By Judi Haskins, GEAR UP Program Director
It's Spring Semester 2023, and GEAR UP welcomes back the first-year students returning from holiday break, and welcomes any new GEAR UP students joining us this semester! There are many exciting opportunities for GEAR UP students during spring semester. Examples include more prizes for ChampChange point collection, additional textbooks through the book borrowing program, more free school supplies, and free printing and snacks available in the GEAR UP office. We'd also like to remind students that they still get free tutoring through SmartyCats Tutoring, free success advising and financial education through the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success (AYCSS), and free meal passes to take family to eat in Rendezvous or Miller when they come to visit. Also, we've got some exciting events planned such as outdoor recreation activities, bowling and billiards in the SUB Rec Center, a registration breakfast for Fall course registration, and more!
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"Always go to class" -Courtney (MSU Sophomore)
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"Connect with your professors and go to office hours" -Sarah (MSU Senior)
See www.montana.edu/aycss/success for useful resources and videos to help you conquer Spring 2023! -Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success (AYCSS)
Food Security Scholarships
As part of an effort to combat food insecurity for MSU students, the Office of Health advancement and Bounty of the Bridgers are partnering to offer Food Security Scholarship awards. These are 25-pass commuter meal plans which can be used at the MSU dining halls across campus. If you are a student with barriers to accessing enough nutritious food, please consider applying. The Spring 2023 Food Security Scholarship is now open at www.montana.edu/oha/bounty-of-the-bridgers/food-security-scholarships. This scholarship will close on Wednesday, January 25th, at 11:59pm.
Native Student Preview Day
Montana State University is excited to offer Native Student Preview Day on Monday, January 23, 2023. Native Student Preview Day gives prospective first- time and transfer students the opportunity to meet MSU faculty and staff, engage with current students, tour campus, connect with academic departments, and learn more about campus resources such as financial aid, Native student support services, and housing. Native Student Preview Day is free and open to individuals, school groups, and families.
Order textbooks for Spring Semester!
GEAR UP MSU's Book Borrowing Program provides textbooks and supplies to first-year students in the GEAR UP program. Fill out the online request form or ask the GEAR UP staff for help. For more information and to find the online request form visit www.montana.edu/gearup/gearup-book-borrowing-program. Books can be requested until Friday, January 27th.
Spring Kick Off
Tuesday, January 24th, 4:30-6:30 pm
TRIO Student Support Services and GEAR UP MSU are excited to start off the Spring 2023 semester with an inspiring Kick Off event. Join us for important information and key dates to help kick off the spring semester successfully. There will be dinner and prizes! Please RSVP in CatsConnect.
Snow Shoe and XC Ski Day
Sunday, January 29th, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
TRIO SSS and Outdoor Rec are partnering for a day of XC skiing and snowshoeing at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. FREE to TRIO and GEAR UP students and space is limited, so sign up ASAP at www.montana.edu/outdoorecreation and select Trips then Custom Programming. Transportation and lunch will be provided!
Cat $cholarship Priority Deadline
February 1st, 2023
The Cat$cholarship priority application deadline is February 1st. Cat$cholarships is MSU's Online Scholarship application system. With one application, the system automatically matches students to all scholarships they are eligible for based on the information provided. Visit montana.academicworks.com to apply.
On December 6th, GEAR UP joined TRIO Student Support Services for an end-of-semester Moving On & Moving Up Celebration. Students had dinner, were recognized for their leadership and engagement during Fall 2022, and won prizes from the ChampChange points they had collected all semester.
GEAR UP student Daniel Stevenson won a desktop organizer at the Moving On & Moving Up Celebration.
GEAR UP students Arista Munsel and Zane Nordwick are pictured with Zane's grand prize awarded at Moving On & Moving Up: a gift tree filled with over $200 worth of gift cards.
