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Model Scholarship Program

A scholarship programming resource manual for fraternities and sororities.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Panhellenic Council

Minnesota State University, Mankato Interfraternity Council

Spring 2015

This model program is meant to be a resource for chapters looking to update their scholarship plans or looking for new ideas. This is a model and is meant to be taken and adapted to each chapters specific needs.

Table of Contents

Scholarship Chair and Committeepage 3

Responsibilities of the Scholarship Chair

Responsibilities of the Scholarship Committee

Key Components page 3

GPA Requirements

Goal Setting

Study Hours

Motivation and Eventspage 4

Scholarship Folder

Educational Programs

Member Collaboration

Scholarship Banquet

Rewards page 6

A and No Skip Jars

Scholar of the Month/Semester

Personal Recognition

Chapter Spotlights

New Member Scholarshippage 7

Educational Program

Active/New Member Study Program

Study Hours

Appendixes

Appendix I: Scholarship Program Evaluationpage 8

Appendix II: Scholarship Goal Setting Plan page 10

Appendix III: Midterm Grades Check Formpage 11

Appendix IV: Campus Resourcespage 12

Scholarship Chair and Committee

Responsibilities of the Scholarship Chair

Evaluate the existing scholarship program (Appendix I)

Set individual academic goals with each member using a Scholarship Goal Setting Plan (Appendix II)

Collect midterm grade reports from each member (Appendix III)

Manage chapter study hours

Host educational events for the chapter

Set chapter academic goals with the chapter members each year/semester

Chapter wide GPA goal

Certain percent of members achieve their scholarship goals for the semester

Certain percent of members attend an educational program

Assemble a scholarship committee

Responsibilities of the Scholarship Committee

Help plan educational events

Proctor and record study hours

Support the scholarship chair

Set good examples for the chapter

Key Components

Scholarship programs vary from chapter to chapter and campus to campus: however, there are essential elements every fraternity and sorority chapter need to have in order to emphasize academics. By having the following necessities, a scholarship program can be structured. The following ideas are just basic elements that will help begin to form a strong base for a chapter scholarship program.

GPA Requirements

All chapters have GPA requirements for membership. GPA requirements to hold an officer board position. It is important that officers are above average in academics so that members of the chapter are motivated to do well.

Goal Setting

The Scholarship Chair should set grade and GPA goals with each member at the beginning of the semester. The scholarship chair is responsible for helping the members achieve their goals. The scholarship chair should check in with members on their midterm grades and after they receive their final grades. Final grade check can take place when the plan for the new semester is being set. A Scholarship Goal Setting Plan example is located in Appendix I.

Study Hours

Each chapter should have a system that encourages members to spend time on their studies. Proctored study hours should be one option for earning study hours, along with group project work and going to professor office hours. Study hours are typically based on GPA from the previous semester.

Example:3.5 and higher1 hour

3.49-3.0 2 hours

2.99-2.5 3 hours

2.49- and lower4 hours

Motivation and Events

Scholarship Folder

Start a Scholarship folder of Google Drive or OrgSync to share with chapter. This folder should hold all the forms and resources the members need relating to academics. Keeping everything in one place will help to avoid confusion for members and will help the Scholarship Chair stay organized.

Midterm Grades Check Form (Appendix III)

Class and Professor reviews

Chapter Academic Inventory with majors, minors, and areas of expertise

Study Table Proctor Schedule

Campus Resources (Appendix IV)

Educational Programs

Educational programs are a great way to focus on academics and career development. Many programs can be found online or on national/international organizations member resources websites. Some examples include:

Study Habits

Time Management

Resumes and Cover Letters

Internships

Listening and Note Taking

Member Collaboration

Host a class scheduling event where members can plan their schedules together before registration.

Encourage members to utilize the Chapter Academic Inventory to find help from other members.

Scholarship Banquet

The purpose of a scholarship banquet is to recognize all members who have excelled academically. Scholastic achievement awards should be given out at the banquet. Prominent members of the faculty, such as the Dean, President, department chairs and professors should be invited. Invite members parents. Members from the international/national headquarters (such as regional advisors, graduate boards, etc.) should also be invited.

Rewards

A and No Skip Jars

Pass jars around at your weekly meeting for members to put their names into. One jar for receiving an A on a paper or exam, and the other jar for attending every class they had. At the end of each month, the Scholarship Chair should draw a name out of each bucket. The person drawn out of each bucket should receive a small prize, such as a gift card or baked goods.

Scholar of the Month/Semester

Each month or semester (depending on funds), the Scholarship Chair and Committee should choose a member o f the chapter who has excelled or improved significantly in academics. This individual should receive a more substantial prize. A post on the chapters social media pages recognizing that member is also a great addition.

Personal Recognition

Scholarship Chairs dont always have to spend money in order to reward members for excelling in academics. Writing personalized notes or letters to your members when I they do well or when they need some motivation can be very meaningful. Make sure to add something personalized, rather than a generic phrase.

Chapter Spotlights

The Vice Presidents of Public Relations and Marketing for PHC and IFC can help you recognize your members by including accomplishments in the Greek Life newsletter. Send them information about members who are presenting at conferences, got internships, were accepted into graduate school, and other accomplishments related to academics or careers.

New Member Scholarship

Special attention should be paid to new members because many of them will be freshman and new to the demands of college academics. It is important to foster an appreciation for academic excellence in your new members because they are the future of your chapters and your Panhellenic community. We want new members to excel and persist in college to graduation.

Educational Program

Host an educational program specifically for new members to focus on scholarship. Discuss the importance of education to your organizations Founders. Make sure they are aware of the chapter expectations and requirements regarding GPA, study hours, etc.. Include information about the chapters scholarship program.

Active/New Member Study Program

Pair each new members with an active member as a study partner and mentor. Preferably, the two individuals should have the same major, minor, or be in the same class. This active member will serve as an academic role model and a friend in addition to their Big/Dad/Mom. This relationship will also help the new member form good study habits.

Study Hours

It is recommended that each new member be required to log one study hour per week so that they can be transitioned into the expectations of an active member. Make sure to explain the study program clearly because this will be a new concept for most new members.

Appendixes

Appendix I: Scholarship Program Evaluation

Scholarship Program Evaluation

MNSU Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils 2015

1. Is the importance of academics emphasized to new members? Yes No

2. Is there a reinforcement of academic achievement throughout the term? Yes No

3. Does your chapter have written academic goals? Yes No

4. Does each member set academic goals and turn them in to the Yes No

scholarship officer?

5. Are they reviewed periodically throughout the term? Yes No

6. Is the scholarship officer a respected leadership position? Yes No

7. Are study hours recorded? Yes No

8. Does your host at least one academic or educational workshop each year? Yes No

9. Do you have a system of recognizing/rewarding those who do well in Yes No

your chapter?

10. Do you have a system of feedback and support for those who are below Yes No academic expectations?

11. Is there any sort of competition? Are the awards/recognitions valued? Yes No

12. Are grades checked as part of the recruitment process? Yes No

13. Are faculty relationships cultivated? Yes No

14. Is there an event to recognize academic achievement? Yes No

15. Is there little to no programming during the weeks of midterms and Yes No just before final exams?

16. Do members talk about their classes/professors with one another? Yes No

17. Do you know about the honor societies on your campus? Are the Yes No application deadlines and qualifications announced?

18. Do you promote membership in special interfraternal honor Yes No societies such as Order of Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha?

How did you score?

Count how many Yes responses you gave to the questions. See below for an explanation of what your score means.

0-6: Select ways to improve your programming by reviewing your responses. Start with easy steps.

7-10: You are on the way to better academic achievement. Review the areas where you did not answer Yes, and add the ones that are relevant to your chapter.

11-14: You have a strong academic program, but think through what could make it better and add those ideas/events.

15-18: Congratulations! Your group is covering the bases and should have strong academic achievement.

*Modified from the National Panhellenic Conference Resource for Academic Excellence

Appendix II: Scholarship Goal Setting Plan

Scholarship Goal Setting Plan

Name:Semester:

Courses

Grade Goal

Midterm Grade

Final Grade

GPA Goal for this Semester:Final GPA:

In order to achieve my goals, I will:

1.

2.

3.

I am aware of the chapter expectations for good academic standing and will do my best to achieve academic excellence this term.

Member Signature_______________________________________ Date__________________

Scholarship Chair Signature_______________________________ Date__________________

Midterm Grades Check Date____________

Final Grades Check Date_______________

Appendix III: Midterm Grades Check Form

Midterm Grade Check Form

Name:Due Date:

Course Name

Grade

Comments

Signature

Appendix IV: Campus Resources

Campus Resources

Accessibility Resources

Location: Memorial Library 132

Phone: 507-389-2825

Services:

Physical Accommodations

Academic Accommodations

Housing Accommodations

Career Development Center

Location: 209 Wigley Administration Center

Phone: 507-381-6061

Scheduling: log on to MavJobs.com

Services: Individual appointments for

MavJobs

Choosing or Changing Majors and/or Career Paths

Career Assessment Interpretation

Internships/Co-ops

Job Search

Graduate School Planning

Resume/Cover Letter Assistance

Practice Interview/Interview Prep

QuickStop hours 11am-2pm Monday-Friday

Center for Academic Success

Mathematics & Science Center

Location: Memorial Library 125

Scheduling: http://www.mnsu.edu/success/tutoring/mathsci-center-schedules.html

Writing Center & Modern Languages

Location: Memorial Library 116

Scheduling: http://www.mnsu.edu/success/tutoring/writing-center-schedules.html

Counseling Center

Location: Centennial Student Union 285

Phone: 507- 389-1455

After Hours Emergency: 507-625-9034

*MNSU students get 10 free sessions each year

Compiled by:

Kammie Beyer

Vice President of Member Education & Development

Spring 2015

Acknowledgements

National Panhellenic Conference

University of California, Los Angeles

Western Illinois University