Rowdy Return Scholarship

Program Status: Active. First awarded in 2021 (article dated August 19, 2021)

Award Purpose: To reward students for their commitment to public health and remove financial barriers to education

Award Details:

• Covers outstanding tuition and fees for one academic year (2021-22 academic year in original award)
• Award amount up to $8,164 for full year
• Covers costs not covered by other financial aid packages

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an enrolled MSU Denver undergraduate student
• Must have received at least one dose of any of the three authorized COVID-19 vaccines
• Must complete vaccine verification form by specified deadline
• Selected through random drawing

Selection Process:

• Random drawing from all eligible students who submitted vaccine verification forms
• University's data and analytics team randomly assigned students a number between 1 and 1 billion
• Five largest numbers selected as winners
• First drawing (2021): selected two seniors, one junior, and two freshmen

Geographic Scope: MSU Denver students only

Announced By: President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. (June 2021)

Related Context: Program created as part of university's efforts to:

• Reward students for commitment to public health
• Support access and affordability
• Enhance campus safety during pandemic recovery
• Support students facing financial emergencies

Example Award Recipients (2021 cohort):

• Autumn Gilmore (Chemistry and Biology junior) - faced financial emergencies including home repairs
• Jake Larson (Accounting senior) - unemployed for year, pursuing law school
• Stephany Rogers (Criminal Justice and Criminology freshman) - struggling with tuition payments

Application Process

1. Vaccine Verification:
   • Students must receive at least one dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine
   • Complete vaccine verification form through university
   • Submit by specified deadline (example: August 1, 2021 for 2021 award)
2. Automatic Entry into Drawing:
   • No separate scholarship application required
   • All students who complete vaccine verification form automatically entered
   • Random drawing process determines winners
3. Random Selection:
   • University data and analytics team assigns each eligible student a random number (1 to 1 billion)
   • Five students with largest numbers selected as award recipients
   • No essay, interview, or competitive review process
4. Notification:
   • Selected students notified of award
   • Award details provided regarding tuition and fee coverage

Required Documents:

• Vaccine verification form (documenting at least one dose of authorized COVID-19 vaccine)

Key Details:

• Non-competitive random drawing format
• No GPA requirements mentioned
• Open to undergraduate students at any class level
• No additional qualifications beyond vaccine requirement