Scholars Stipend
ELIGIBILITY
Pre-Award: Students requesting their stipend must have completed two consecutive semesters at UMM and at least 30 cumulative credits, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. The stipend may be used during the second, third, or fourth year. Students may request smaller amounts of the stipend total to cover more than one enrichment activity.
Complete this form, including any required supplemental documents, and return to the ACE Office.
The Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) and Office of Financial Aid will review and approve all requests before the beginning of an enrichment experience. Requests can not be accepted for activities done prior to stipend approval. Students are highly encouraged to start this process early to avoid complications. Requests should be submitted a minimum of 30 days before the beginning any enrichment activity.
Student will receive an email from ACE confirming or denying the stipend request within 30 days of submission. During the approval process, ACE will work with the student to clarify or improve a proposal, and may ask for additional information or adjustments to the request. In the event of a denied request, the student is eligible to appeal the decision to the Dean’s Office; the Dean will review all materials and make a final decision within 30 days of that request.
Post-Award: Stipend funds will be deposited in the student's account. The student is responsible to spend the monies responsibly and within established guidelines.
The student must complete one additional semester of coursework at UMM or complete their degree at UMM after the stipend is awarded or repay the full stipend amount back to the University.
Additionally, at the completion of the project, student must also submit a written report about their stipend experience (including all receipts). ACE and UMM may use these reports for assessment and recruitment.
Unspent funds, unapproved or inappropriate use of funds must be repaid to UMM.
PROCEDURE TO ACTIVATE STIPEND
All proposals for an enrichment activity must have a relationship to the student’s academic pursuit of a degree, whether in the areas of General Education requirements or the completion of a major or minor in an academic program.
As per University policy, stipend funds can not be used to cover tuition, textbooks, food, clothing or personal items, salary, or any expense outside the proposed request. Any non-consumable items like equipment, tools or books purchased with stipend funds are the property of UMM and must be returned at the completion of the project. Any adjustments to proposed budget expenditures must be approved by ACE.
Previous Morris Scholars have used the stipend for enrichment activities in study abroad, conference travel, internships and independent projects. Please follow the directions for the category chosen.
STUDY ABROAD/STUDY AWAY:
Stipend funds can be used to cover an approved program or travel costs for a study abroad or study away course (separate from tuition). Write brief 250-300 word statement on how study abroad experience benefits UMM academic goals.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
Stipend funds can be used to cover travel and registration.
Write brief 250-300 word statement on how conference participation benefits UMM academic goals.
INTERNSHIP
Internship must demonstrate academic relevance: via registration for credit or faculty letter of academic relevance. Costs reimbursable are those that are only incurred due to the internship (ie. additional rent payments, mileage over 50 miles). Students must a submit copy letter of acceptance with contact info for supervisor, copy of rental contract if using for housing. ACE reserves the right to contact supervisors for additional information.
INDEPENDENT PROJECT
Students should get a mentor for project, be for credit (Directed Study) or capstone?
Submit no more than two pages detailing:
1. Overview of the project
2. Significance to studies at UMM
3. Work plan and timeline
4. Budget
5. Expected outcomes