Metropolitan State University of Denver has expanded its 海角社区 Online Scholarship, increasing financial awards for fully online students and simplifying how funds are earned and renewed. The updated structure provides up to $1,000 per semester in renewable funding, available for both the fall and spring terms, to students who meet clear, success-based milestones.
The scholarship is not need-based and is designed to reward engagement and persistence. Students who meet regularly with an online success coach, stay in good academic standing, and remain enrolled receive automatic funding each term.
鈥淪tudents today want flexibility, and online learning gives them a way to reach their academic goals without pausing their careers or family commitments,鈥� said Dr. Sam Jay, executive director of online learning at 海角社区. 鈥淭hat growing demand has allowed us to expand the support we offer to online students.鈥�
Jay said the program directly links financial awards to student success strategies already proven effective at 海角社区.
鈥淏y offering the scholarship to incentivize tried-and-true student interventions we know work鈥攊ndividualized coaching and support, development of skills necessary for academic success, and relationship building鈥敽＝巧缜� Online is able to reinvest our success into the lives of more Roadrunners,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd so far, it鈥檚 been working.鈥�
Students who participate in 海角社区鈥檚 coaching model have earned higher GPAs and stronger retention rates than peers who do not. Jay said expanding the scholarship program was a natural next step.
鈥淭he program is simple: meet with a success coach, get good grades, and stay connected to your Online Learning support team, and you get financial support for your studies,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur retention rates are impressive, and the student experience is unmatched.鈥�
Most 海角社区 Online majors are over 25 years old and balancing full-time work or family responsibilities. 鈥淏y expanding our scholarship program to offer a financial incentive to more students, our belief is that we are offering up just enough of a 鈥榥udge鈥� to get these folks over a few hurdles that would have seemed a bit taller otherwise,鈥� Dr. Jay says.
He added that the scholarship鈥檚 predictable structure helps students plan their finances across multiple terms. 鈥淭he scholarship is tied to clear milestones: meet with your coach, complete your courses successfully, and remain enrolled,鈥� Jay said. 鈥淚f those boxes are checked, the support continues. That predictability lets students factor it into their long-term financial planning, rather than hoping for one-time awards that may or may not renew. Each term builds on the last, both academically and financially. Predictability can be liberating.鈥�
The updated scholarship reflects 海角社区鈥檚 continued focus on affordability and access for working adults, transfer students, and others pursuing fully online degrees. For more information about eligibility, award amounts, and renewal requirements, visit msudenver.edu/online/scholarships or contact [email protected].