Sec. 13b.08.14.07. Selection of Recipients

A. Grant awards shall be issued using both merit- and need-based criteria.

B. Applicants shall be ranked by grade point average (GPA) and then ranked by need within each occupational field. Students with the greatest need within each GPA range shall receive awards first.

C. The following GPA ranges shall be used:

(1) GPA 3.8 to GPA 4.0;

(2) GPA 3.6 to GPA 3.79;

(3) GPA 3.4 to GPA 3.59;

(4) GPA 3.0 to GPA 3.39; and

(5) GPA 2.9 and below.

D. Merit Ranking.

(1) Transcripts shall be required to determine a student’s merit ranking.

(2) A minimum GPA will not be required to determine a student’s eligibility because the appropriate GPA level could vary by major.

(3) The GPA ranking of students shall be based on each student’s cumulative, unweighted GPA on a standardized 4.0 scale.

(4) High school transcripts shall be used to calculate the GPA for entering freshman and students that have completed less than 12 college credits. Undergraduate level college transcripts shall be used for students who have completed more than 12 college credits as an undergraduate student and less than 12 college credits as a graduate student. Graduate level transcripts shall be used for students who have completed more than 12 graduate level credits.

E. Need Ranking.

(1) In determining the award order, students within each GPA range with the greatest need shall be given the highest priority.

(2) A student’s need ranking shall be based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

(3) Except for the William Donald Schaefer Scholarship, it is not mandatory that students complete a FAFSA to be eligible to receive an award. If a student chooses not to file a FAFSA, it will be assumed that the student has no need and will be placed at the bottom of each GPA range to be considered for an award.