At the beginning of the year, I attended a scholarship competition at my favorite college, Asbury University. It wasn’t long afterward I was informed that I would not be receiving a competitive scholarship. Much to my surprise no more than two weeks ago, my admissions caller notified me that I was named a Morrison Scholar. A former recipient had decided not to attend Asbury University, and I was chosen to receive their award. The Henry Clay Morrison Scholarship covers 75% tuition and grants participation in the university’s student forum. The forum allows students to meet and connect with the professors and the president on a deeper level than most. It was such a miracle and a blessing to be award the Morrison Scholarship however, I’m concerned about the retention requirements for the scholarship. Unlike other premier scholarships I’ve seen, the Henry Clay Morrison Scholarship has only one task for renewal: mantain a 3.5 grade point average. As I’m sure everyone here is aware how high a 3.5, which at Asbury is the requirement to graduate cum laude grade point average in college is, should I accept the scholarship and enroll at Asbury Univeristy? It would be a massive risk, but Asbury University is my favorite college, and I would not be able to attend without the Morrison Scholarship.
In order to help determine if the risk is worth it, I have gathered some data from the university which could prove to be useful. The first important factor is Asbury’s grading scale. Asbury University asses grades in the following:
A: 4.0
A-: 3.7
B+: 3.3
B: 3.0
B-: 2.7
I did not include the point values for C, D, and F grades due to their low value. I feel the grading scale would make mantaining a 3.5 grade point average more difficult because an A is not always worth four points and a B is not always worth three. Another point to mention is the time at which the grade point average is taken into consideration for financial aid purposes. According to the information I’ve found, Asbury’s financial aid office verifies student grade point averages following each semester. The requirements seem quite rigorous however, it is important to note that Asbury University is a private university and thus they pay extra attention to their students, The director of admissions also assured me that Morrison Scholars rarely lose their scholarship, but I still think it is best to see the opinion of the College Confidential forum.
@SolarGoat
What is your intended major?
Did you already commit to another school?
If you lose the scholarship, what is your plan?
The total cost of attendance for this school is listed at 40,000? Even with the 75% tuition scholarship, can you afford it?
The scholarship does not cover anything but tuition.
My kids are both averaging 3.9 GPAs with a grading system as you mentioned above, but they are very motivated and excellent students. Do you consider yourself to be like that?
Where were you planning to attend before this scholarship was released to you?
@NJRoadie
My intended major is equine studies. Although I have commited to a different school, I can still change my decision. The Morrison Scholarship, in combination with a state grant, would make attending Asbury University affordable. If I lose the scholarship, I would have no choice but to transfer. If no college would offer me a decent transfer scholaeship, I would have to leave college. I don’t consider myself motivated or even college ready. I enrolled in an Advanced Placement course my freshman year, and I couldn’t handle it. I did take a dual credit class my senior yesr though. I passed the class with a low A. Before I received this scholarship, I was stil uncertain about where I wanted to go for college as I am today.
Take it!! Several decades after receiving a full college scholarship to study in Europe, I often think about the person on the other end who wrote the check. Gifting a scholarship to a college is a wonderful act. You should take the opportunity and never look back. You will be able to maintain that GPA because they will be watching you and want you to succeed. Just make sure you speak up if you have any issues. Good luck and congrats.
I wonder if you should ask to defer for a year. Take a gap year, work at a minimum wage job and get yourself motivated. You don’t sound like you feel ready for college, and if you would lose college if you lose the scholarship, that’s a pretty big penalty.
@NJRoadie
A gap year isn’t possible. Even if it were, I would have no way to get to work or find a job. I live in a rural area without public transportation, and I can’t drive due to a visual impairment. I live five miles past the city limits. which also makes walking impossible. My visual impairment also effects my ability to get a job. I have applied for different positions, but no one has even asked me for an interview. My vision is seen as a liability to most employers.
I do have other offers from different universities. Morehead State University is offering me an $8,000 scholarship. To retain the scholarship, I’d be required to mantain a 3.0 grade point average and complete 30 credit hours a year. Their equine science program is in decline, but they still offer the major. I looked at the curriculum map yesterday, which revealed that most classrs were focused on general agriculture while very few focused on equine science.
Murray State University is offering me a full tuition scholarship, but they would demand a lot from me. In order to retain the scholarship, I would need to mantain a 3.2 grade point average while also enrolling in two honors classes per semester. All honors classes are either general education courses or courses related to the honors program. I would also be required to complete one study abroad experience, which is not covered by the university, and a thesis prior to graduation. They have a strong agriculture department, but they’re far away from home and I didn’t care much for it during my visit.
No matter which scholarship I choose, I should be receiving a $6,200 grant from the Office for the Blind each year. I will also get a $2,437 scholarship each year from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. In addition, I will receive a $5,000 one time award. It’s also important to note that my family will not be helping me pay for college.
https://www.asbury.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EQSmajor.pdf
This is the course requirements for the equine studies major. Is this the major you were specifically looking at? Or where you thinking equine studies and pursuing pre-vet requirements? Pre-vet requirements are vastly different than the ones for equine studies. I ask because that would lend to the degree of difficulty of the courses and course load.
Asbury also states 46 units of foundations courses.
https://www.asbury.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/0FND_foundations.pdf
It does not look like a ton of math or science for those. If pre-vet is the goal then a lot more math and science.
How do feel about those courses with regards to the 3.5 GPA?
Kat
PS. tuition and fees/ room/board
https://www.asbury.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/costs/undergrad/
$29,900+ $4000+ $3138=COA $37,100 + books, travel, incidentals
so 75% tuition $22,500+$6200+$2437=$30,945 in FA…the rest through student loans?
Pell eligibe?
SEOG eligible?
Federal work study?
When is the one time $5000 awarded? If you split it up between 4 years that will help.
@katwkittens
I do not wish to pursue pre-veterinary medicine at this time. I’m not sure I could handle the workload or be able to practice effectively with my visual impairment. As far as the equine studies major, I’m not sure I can handle any college class because I struggled so much with Advanced Placement. In addition to the aid mentioned above, because Asbury University is a private university, I’m also eligible for the Kentucky Tuition Grant, which is worth $3,000. I’m not able to receive any federal grants due to my family’s income. The one time $5,000 award will be disbursed to whichever university I attend in the fall. The award has to be issued all at once. I also qualified for up to $1,800 for the Federal Work Study program. I’m not sure whether or not I’d accept it though because it would add more to the already stressful enviromemt. After all aid, excluding Federal Work Study and the one time award, I would owe $3,296 a year. I could pay for this through Direct loans.
Your AP course was in your freshman year of high school correct? Did you attempt any others throughout high chool? There are many high schools that do NOT allow freshman to take AP for that very reason. My younger son did and he did fine. His older sister did not take any and graduated magna cum laude from college with a difficult major.
I really cannot see a university awarding you such a scholarship with the idea you would fail. College is different you need 12 units to be full time. Keep to a study schedule and utilize all the study aids offered…group work, teacher hours. tutors, resource center…Know that you will commit to working hard and keep to it. And it does sound affordable. With the additional Kentucky money.
Federal work study can be a blessing. It provides you with spending money and gives you a schedule to work and not many hours. All my kiddos enjoyed their on-campus FWS jobs and gained a lot from them Some turned into long-term employment and significant research.
Let us know what you decide and keep asking questions!!
Kat
@katwkittens
I took an Advanced Placement class during my freshman year. I never tried another one because the class I took was too stressful for me. Would you reccomend me enrolling in 12 hours rather than the 16 hours they have me scheduled for? Taking only 12 credit hours would prevent me from graduating within four years though. I’m so scared. I’m afraid I’ll go there, make poor grades, and then drop out because I can’t afford the tuition. Do you have any suggestions? I’m very worried about accepting the scholarship.
Have you decided on a major? Is the equine studies the major you are leaning towards? 16 hours is either 4-5 classes depending on the class. If you love horses I do not think you will make poor grades. My oldest daughter was an animal science major with an equine studies concentration and LOVED it. She was also pre-vet so she had a much more rigorous class schedule. Calc 1 and 2 , biochemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology…many upper division science in addition to animal science classes. The equine studies degree courses do not have those difficult upper division science courses. Looks like all horses all the time!!
Take what you need to graduate in 4 years. Do you have any dual credit courses that can transfer in? The foundation courses look to be GE (general education) courses everyone takes. Can you take any pass/fail? You need to look at the requirements for a degree and strategically decide what would be most advantageous to keep your 3.5 GPA. You probably will be assigned a counselor who will be able to assist, and you can always look for a mentor within your major. Also your fellow students will be there to provide advice, especially upper classmen.
Ask for help. Don’t go in thinking you will fail, rather put safe guards in place to prevent that. Use office hours, from the very beginning. Don’t wait until you are struggling. Find out the resources ahead of time, writing lab, math lab, tutors within your major…set up a schedule from the start and go, whether you feel you need to or not. This will strengthen your confidence and help with your specific course work. A work study job will give you a fixed schedule and maybe some social activity.
It is ok to get excited about this opportunity. It sounds great.
What other choice are you leaning towards? Is that one as affordable? Do you like the campus and their program better? You need to strike a balance between leaving your comfort zone and grow and being comfortable to gain confidence. I do not think the AP class when you were 14 is indicative of your ability now and in the next 4 years.
It does sound wonderful. Is there a teacher you have now you can discuss this with? Some one who knows your academic strengths and weaknesses?
Kat
@katwkittens
I plan to major in equine studies. I have six credit hours which can be transferred into the university, but they don’t count toward general education or major requirements. None of the general education or major requirements can be taken on a pass or fail basis to my knowledge. I listed my other options on the fifth post above in the thread. Out of the programs I mentioned, Asbury University has my favorite campus and program. Their farm is massive, and with over 80 horses, I will have many opportunities to work with them. Asbury doesn’t suffer from not having enough classes for the students either, and the staff care about the students. I have no one to discuss this with though. I graduated last month, and my parents won’t listen to me. I’m terrible at decision making. Even making small choices is difficult for me. I need to make a decision by tomorrow, and I’m quite anxious.
80 horses!!! Daughter had at most 12 at one time on the equine unit, mainly rescues but some thoroughbreds for breeding. I think being anxious about a big decision is normal and expected.
You sound as though you know what you want (Asbury). I had read previously your 2 other options you posted but I did not see where you had previously committed. Can you attend those if you lose their respective scholarships?
Knowing there is a caring staff and a program you are thrilled about sounds like a great fit. I think it is fantastic that you have some great choices. My very best wishes on your final decision.
Kat
Asbury sounds like the best match for you. Contact the disabilities coordinator to get specific information about adjusting your courseload each term, and about accessing services that you will need (rearer, large print books, braille editions, etc.). It is not unusual at all for students with vision issues to take a lighter courseload simply because of challenges associated with access to appropriate textbooks. You also can discuss taking a lighter load for your first semester while you adjust to college life and learn your way around campus.
Wishing you all the best!
@katwkittens
My other options would pose the same problem if I were to lose their respective scholarships. No matter where I go, if I lose my academic scholarship, I’d have to borrow over $10,000 in loans to continue attending college. They do have more lenient requirements for renewing their scholarships however, I don’t like their programs or campuses near as much as Asbury’s.
@SolarGoat please contact you state voc rehab/ blind services office, they may transitional services available to you including funds to meet your financial gap, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask! It sounds like Asbury’s where you really want to go so you should go for it!
@3scoutsmom
I do not qualify for services through vocational rehabilitation however, I do receive services from the Office for the Blind. The grant I mentioned above worth $6,200 is from their office. They can’t provide me any additional financial assistance.