Any luck negotiating with MSM?

violadad
Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:38:01 +0000

S did get a small scholarship from MSM. It is only guaranteed for the one year. Then they review it to determine if you get again next year. If he gets a lower score on his jury than he got on his audition, he could lose the scholarship. We don’t even know what his audition score was…



This is probably defined under the term “artisitic progress” as opposed to “academic progress”. One of the standard criteria in BM and many BA performance disciplines is the annual performance jury, and a major criteria for passing is “making satisfactory artistic progress”.

Now if they are going to quantify it, using an audition score as the initial benchmark, then I would insist on knowing that score (and the subcategories that comprise it).

Usually this type of detail is found within an institutions undergrad handbook, or similarly named document detailing all the specific administrative, financial housing policies, as well as the individual degree requirements across all majors.

While it is quite probable that it would only be enforced in the case of a severely under performing student, it is nebulous enough to believe that it COULD be applied in the one point less than example.

This is a case of CYA beforehand, and if you cannot find the info within the undergrad handbook documentation then I would take pains to get an official written set of specific parameters policy for this scholarship.

Talent scholarships can have an academic component attached, but it is usually identical to the GPA requirements “satisfactory academic” for the major. Where this differs can be in some of those nebulous awards that combine both music and academic criteria, where you may not necessarily know how much is being awarded for scholastic achievement, and how much for talent. These types tend to tie the award to the minimum academic standards for continuation in the major program.

Know your scholarship guidelines before you decide, and if they are unclear, get them clarifed.

And while unrelated, I cannot stress this enough: the devil here is in the details. That’s what the undergrad handbook is for. Have your students become familiar with it, and I urge that they read ALL the applicable procedures for financial aid, housing, academic probation/dismissal, continuation of scholarships, substance abuse issues, judicial procedures, degree plans and degree requirements, change of major, etc. Far too many are bitten on the bottom when they least expect it. Do not rely on your advisor to know everything, especially at large publics or in cross discipline pursuits. It isn’t high school. The info is there, and the colleges take the position that ignorance of a procedure, deadline or policy is not an excuse.