Conditions on a college scholarship

Where the conditions are written

The terms of a college scholarship usually appear in the award letter, a scholarship agreement you accept online or the aid office's renewal policy. Donor-funded scholarships may add terms from the gift agreement, such as studying a certain subject or coming from a certain county. Find and save every document that names the award.

These conditions sit on top of satisfactory academic progress, the federal standard that applies to federal aid. A college scholarship often sets a higher grade average or a larger credit load than that standard, so a student can keep a Pell Grant and still lose a college award.

Conditions colleges often set

Grade averages are the most common. Some awards look at the cumulative average and others at the average for the most recent year or term. Credit load comes next, often full-time enrollment each term and sometimes a set number of credits completed by the end of each year.

Other conditions vary. A scholarship may require you to live on campus, stay in a major, take part in an honors program, perform community service, attend a donor event or write a thank-you letter. Some awards end after a set number of terms whether or not the degree is done.

Conduct can matter as well. Many scholarship agreements allow the college to end an award after a serious disciplinary finding.

What to do before and after a miss

Check your progress against each condition at midterm, while there is still time to change course. If a class is going badly, talk to your advisor and the aid office before you drop it, because dropping can put you under the credit requirement.

If you miss a condition, the college usually sends a notice. Read it for an appeal process and a deadline, since many colleges consider appeals for illness, a family crisis or other events beyond your control. Write a clear explanation, include documents and describe what you will do differently next term.