Shepherd University Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

Shepherd University provides a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students seeking to pursue their academic goals. These scholarships recognize academic merit, athletic talent, and commitment to service, aiming to make higher education accessible to a diverse student body. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarships available, eligibility criteria, and application processes for international students at Shepherd University.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Shepherd University offers merit-based scholarships specifically for international undergraduate degree-seeking students. These scholarships are automatically considered upon admission for students who have submitted their applications by March 1. These scholarships are renewable for all four years of study, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and full-time enrollment. However, students receiving scholarships from a government, educational organization, or an approved third-party company are not eligible for a Shepherd University scholarship.

Scholarships Awarded by the Office of Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid offers a range of scholarships to full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students. Most of these scholarships require a minimum GPA of 2.50. Additionally, some scholarships consider financial need, which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must have a FAFSA on file to be eligible for these need-based scholarships. For detailed information, it is recommended to contact the Office of Financial Aid directly.

Transfer Scholarships

International transfer students who meet specific requirements are eligible for automatic transfer scholarships upon admission. However, students transferring from a partner community college who already receive a scholarship as part of a transfer scholarship agreement are not eligible for this particular transfer scholarship.

External Scholarship Resources

Private scholarships are offered by external organizations such as businesses, churches, and foundations. Students are encouraged to explore these external opportunities and complete the necessary online applications.

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Specific Scholarship Programs and Endowments

The P.E.O. Sisterhood - Philanthropic Educational Organization

The P.E.O. Sisterhood is a philanthropic organization that provides educational opportunities for women. While the provided information does not explicitly state scholarships offered by P.E.O. at Shepherd University for international students, it is worth investigating potential partnerships or related scholarships.

P.E.O. Margaret M. Alia and Family Continuing Education Endowment

Created by Shepherd alumna Margaret M. Alia ’64 and her siblings, Phyllis Alia Greely and Patrick Alia, the Margaret M. Alia and Family Continuing Education Endowment supports Shepherd students pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (focus on curriculum and instruction). While this scholarship is geared towards graduate students in specific programs, it exemplifies the type of targeted financial aid available at Shepherd.

McMurran Scholars Association Scholarship

The McMurran Scholars Association Scholarship, funded through private donations to the Shepherd University Foundation, was established in 2011 to celebrate the 50th class of McMurran Scholars. This scholarship is specifically for McMurran Scholars attending Shepherd University as graduate students (full or part-time).

Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program

The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for recent high school graduates passionate about teaching, with a strong academic record, community service involvement, and extracurricular activities. Recipients receive $10,000 per year for up to four years, covering tuition, fees, room and board, and other approved educational expenses. The scholarship can be used at any eligible West Virginia public or private, non-profit college or university offering West Virginia Board of Education-approved teacher preparation programs in math, science, elementary education, or special education. Up to 25 new Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars are selected each year from a national applicant pool through a 3-step application process.

West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program

The West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program encourages academically talented individuals to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology.

NSF S-STEM Grant

The NSF S-STEM Grant supports a diverse community of students majoring in degree programs offered by the Department of Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering (CME). The eligible programs include Data Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Information Sciences, Computer Information Technology, Computer Engineering, and Engineering Science. The awards are both merit- and need-based.

Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)

The Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides financial assistance to students in direct or indirect health-care services disciplines. It assists the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in meeting its need for qualified health care professionals.

TEACH Grant

Although not a scholarship, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a federal program that provides grant assistance to students pursuing a teaching career. However, it's crucial to understand the service obligation associated with the TEACH Grant. Recipients must agree to teach full-time in a public school in West Virginia in a subject area or geographic area of critical need for a period of two school years for each year of loan assistance received. Failure to complete this service obligation results in the conversion of the TEACH Grant into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Each eligible teacher can receive loan assistance of up to $3,000 annually.

General Eligibility Requirements

While specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the scholarship, some common requirements include:

Full-time Enrollment: Most scholarships require students to be enrolled full-time.
Degree-Seeking Status: Scholarships are generally awarded to students pursuing a degree.
Minimum GPA: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA, often 2.50 or higher.
Financial Need: Some scholarships consider financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.
Satisfactory Academic Performance: Renewal of scholarships often depends on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.

Application Process for First-Year Students

First-year applicants are students who have never attended a college or university after graduating from high school (excluding dual enrollment courses). These students are required to submit high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to complete their application for admission.

Read also: Explore Shepherd University Jobs

Application Process for Transfer Students

Transfer students are those who have previously attended another college or university prior to applying to Shepherd. Students with less than 24 college credits are required to submit high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores for admission requirements.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

PROMISE Scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA and complete 30 credit hours per academic year for renewal. College credit earned prior to actual enrollment does not count toward the student’s renewal eligibility for the scholarship. Students who fall short of either the GPA or credit hour requirements can attend summer school to meet those renewal criteria, but PROMISE will not pay for summer school in this case. Each student is responsible for tracking their academic progress and eligibility status. To be eligible for a summer award, a student must be academically eligible for scholarship continuation at the end of the spring semester preceding the summer that assistance is requested. A summer award counts as a semester of utilization toward the maximum number of available semesters.

The Shepherd University Foundation

The Shepherd University Foundation is a valuable resource for exploring the scholarship database based on specific eligibility criteria.

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