G R I Z Z L Y
A T H L E T I C S
S T U D E N T - A T H L E T E
H A N D B O O K
Financial Aid and Athletic Scholarship Policies The goals of the athletic scholarship program at the University of Montana are to provide financial assistance to deserving student-athletes and to ensure that all awarding of such aid is consistent with the regulations of the NCAA and the Big Sky Conference. The assumption in awarding athletic financial aid is that students who devote long hours in practice may, through a regulated program of assistance, be relieved of the obligation to work part-time to subsidize their collegiate education. Athletic scholarships are awarded only to those individuals who show exceptional athletic promise and aptitude to meet academic standards and maintain academic progress. The program’s justification must provide the expectation that students will meet the University’s academic standards while encouraging participation in an intercollegiate sport. I.
II.
Definition and Maximum Value A.
A student-athlete receiving financial assistance other than that administered by the student-athlete’s institution or from anyone upon whom the student-athlete is naturally and legally dependent is not eligible for intercollegiate competition, except for exceptions provided in NCAA Bylaw 15.
B.
Institutional financial aid includes scholarships, grants, loans.
C.
Institutional financial aid may not exceed the value of tuition and regular fees, room, board and course related books. A student-athlete also receiving a Pell Grant may receive that beyond the value of the allowable institutional financial aid.
D.
The tuition waiver portion of an athletic scholarship waives fees for a course load of 12 to 21 credit hours. Student athletes are financially responsible for courses registered beyond 21 credit hours. Some fees are refunded for dropped courses through the 15th day of the semester.
E.
Special course fees and on-line course fees are not covered by athletic scholarship. Appeals can be made to Jean Gee, Senior Associate Athletic Director.
F.
Academic year athletic scholarship does NOT cover summer courses. Summer financial aid is awarded through an application process. Applications are available from the Senior Associate Athletic Director generally in March of each year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an athletic scholarship, a student-athlete must be eligible for intercollegiate competition by being in compliance each academic semester with the minimum grade point average, satisfactory progress requirements and full-time student status. (See Academic Eligibility Policies) III.
Terms and Duration A.
A Tender of Financial Assistance defines the terms and duration of an athletic scholarship and the mutual responsibilities of the University of Montana and the student-athlete. A student-athlete assumes responsibilities to the University of Montana and to the particular sport for which the aid is granted when he/she signs a Tender of Financial Assistance.
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