Inclusive Excellence Scholarship
About the Program
The Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program, formally known as the “Multicultural Leadership Scholarship Program” and "Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship Program" is a curricular experience where scholars and award recipients participate in the exploration of identity and self through critical classroom discourse as well as co-curricular engagement in programs and community service opportunities sponsored by Multicultural Programs and offices housed in the Multicultural Services unit. Scholars and award recipients will have the distinct opportunity to explore their multiple identities, celebrate their personal heritage, learn about and appreciate the cultures and identities of others. Students in the program are highly encouraged to take advantage of the resources in our spaces, which provide computer labs, free printing, lounge space for studying, and kitchen area. These spaces are the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center, which also houses the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Student Services located on the first floor of the Plaster Student Union.
Multicultural Services is a unit in the Division of Student Affairs, which houses the offices of Multicultural Programs, Access & Success Programs, Bears LEAD, and TRIO Programs. As a scholar and or award recipient, you will have the opportunity to learn about the vast resources in these offices as well potentially being eligible to utilize available services. Recipients of the scholarship and award will work directly with the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Multicultural Services.
The Inclusive Excellence Scholarship is valued at $4,000 per year, plus $1,000 per year for on-campus housing (this does not include fraternity or sorority houses). Recipients will also have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Total potential value over four years is $21,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of nonresident fees for fall and spring semesters.
Scholarship Requirements
As a Public Affairs institution that values Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence, and Community Engagement through the practice of inclusion, we view this scholarship program as the vessel that develops student leaders to serve as social change agents that advocate and support a culturally conscious and inclusive campus community. Multicultural Services looks forward to your participation in the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship/Award Program as well the perspectives you will bring to our campus and community.
Application Process
More information about the application process can be found on the Missouri State University Office of Financial Aid's website.
Selection Criteria
To be considered for this scholarship, the student must be committed to fostering an ethical, connected, and collaborative community, as embodied in Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Mission. Additionally, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Have an interest in and/or commitment to working with diverse individuals and/or groups (e.g., age, disability status, socioeconomic class, veteran status, nationality, race, ethnicity, sex, indigenous-status, LGBTQIA+ status, ESL speakers, and/or religion) to promote principles of equity and inclusion;
- Be from a low-income background (e.g., receive benefits from programs such as Free or Reduced Lunch, WIC, SNAP, TANF); or
- Be a first-generation college student (i.e., neither of your parent(s)/guardian(s) has a bachelor's degree).
The student's academic performance and their record of school and community service will also be considered.
Renewal Criteria
The Inclusive Excellence Award must complete 27 Missouri State University credit hours each academic year with a 2.75 cumulative Missouri State grade point average and participate in all additional requirements in the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Program.
Inclusive Excellence Scholarship recipients who graduate in four years or less, meet renewal criteria their fourth year, and begin a Missouri State University graduate program the semester following their graduation may receive this scholarship for their first year of graduate study (unless they are offered and accept a graduate assistantship).
For additional information regarding scholarships, including enrollment standards and renewal guidelines, see Scholarship Enrollment and Renewal Standards.
Students in the Military and/or Education Abroad
For all students with scholarships, including Inclusive Excellence, you can request
to place your scholarship on hold for the semester that you plan to be away. Those
requests are turned into the Financial Aid office via an online process. In this situation,
your scholarship will not pay out and will pick back up when you return. For activities,
you do not need to complete any because everything is on hold. For grades and GPA,
your renewal cycle changes to "off-cycle".
For Education Abroad, most students are still enrolled full-time. That being the case,
you may still use the scholarship and are required to meet all criteria, including
program requirements. However, the education abroad experience is enough to meet
the programming component. You will be required to provide an essay, to the Assistant
Vice President of Student Affairs, Multicultural Services, outlining the experience
and how it applies to inclusive excellence, diversity and inclusion. If you are not
enrolled, or are enrolled less than full-time, you will need to go through the request
process to place the scholarship on hold.
When away for military, students should request to place their scholarship on hold.
To request a hold be placed on your institutional scholarship, please complete the Scholarship Hold Request Form.
Appeal Process
If a student does not meet the renewal criteria, there are no provisions beyond the Scholarship Reinstatement policy listed above for reinstating a scholarship for future semesters. However, if problems occur due to some extenuating circumstance or medical emergency, students may appeal to the Scholarship Appeal Committee through the Office of Student Financial Aid with a letter explaining the situation, along with supporting documentation. Appeals are granted only in extreme circumstances beyond the student's control. If a student experiences other challenges throughout the year, such as difficulty with classes, time management, work or family responsibilities, or other co-curricular commitments, be aware that these are not considered extenuating circumstances. In these cases, it is important to consult with your academic advisor to determine feasibility of the MSU summer enrollment option and utilize MSU resources earlier in the semester to receive the guidance and assistance necessary to remain on track academically.
For students who did not meet the minimum credit hours and/or GPA but wish to appeal their fund termination, please complete and submit the Institutional Scholarship Appeal form.
For students who did not meet the program requirements (events, service hours, etc.), please contact Dr. Rabekah Stewart immediately at RStewart@MissouriState.edu.
Scholarship reinstatement
Students who fail to meet scholarship renewal criteria will not receive the scholarship for the following academic year (and will lose one year of scholarship eligibility) but may regain the scholarship for the second following year by completing the required annual MSU credits during that year, having the required cumulative MSU GPA (including all MSU courses) at the end of that year, and completing service hours (if applicable). This is not an automatic process; instead, students must complete and submit the Request to Reinstate Scholarship form and return it to the Office of Student Financial Aid no later than the first day of classes for the academic year for which they are requesting reinstatement.
Contact
Questions about the program? Email IES@MissouriState.edu.