• You must stay enrolled in an eligible program each semester to receive funding. Enrollment will be checked each semester.
• You must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), evaluated at the end of each spring semester.
• Cumulative GPA is calculated according to the Registrar's Policy on Grades and GPA Calculation.
• If you do not meet the GPA requirement at the end of the spring semester, your scholarship will not be renewed for future semesters.
• Scholarships are based on a percentage of tuition and the value of the scholarship will vary with changes in tuition. 

• The maximum length of your scholarship is based on the number of credits required for your program. Scholarship eligibility terminates once the credits you have earned as a UVM graduate student reaches the number of credits required for your degree program, even if you have not completed the program.
  • For example, if a program requires 30 credits, your scholarship eligibility is limited to 30 total credits.
  • Credits that do not apply towards the degree do not extend scholarship eligibility.
• Summer credits count towards the total scholarship credit limit.
• Withdrawn credits do not count toward the total scholarship credit limit.
• If you transfer to a different scholarship eligible degree program, any previously earned credits will count toward your total scholarship credit limit. The new limit will be based on the credits required for your new program.

If your residency status is reclassified, your scholarship eligibility will be re-evaluated. A change to your residency classification may result in a loss or reduction of your scholarship.

The Graduate Merit Scholarship is not based on need or financial aid eligibility. If you apply/have applied for need-based financial aid at the University, you will receive more information on your total financial aid offer directly from Student Financial Services. Your scholarship will be calculated into your overall aid offer. 

• Students with funded GRA/GTA appointments or who are enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Program are not eligible.
• Students receiving any scholarship or benefit which pays or reduces tuition (in full or in part), including, but not limited to NEBHE, VA benefits, UVM/VSU tuition remission, and/or employer tuition benefits are not eligible. If a student is receiving any of these benefits, their scholarship funding will be withdrawn for the current and all future semesters.

• Your scholarship will not be applied to summer session courses. Scholarships may only be applied to fall and spring terms.
• Summer credits count towards the total scholarship credit limit.

You may take an approved leave of absence for up to two consecutive terms and retain your scholarship, provided you continue to meet all other scholarship criteria. This leave of absence may include enrollment at another institution.

If you withdraw or become inactive you will retain your scholarship if you return to UVM with no more than two full, consecutive terms away (not including summer), and continue to meet all other scholarship criteria. Your time away may include enrollment at another institution. 

• If you withdraw after a term begins, during the add/drop period or later, you can be away for the term of withdrawal/drop plus the very next term (not including summer) and will retain your scholarship upon return if you continue to meet all other scholarship criteria.
• If you withdraw prior to the term start you can be away for two full consecutive terms and will retain your scholarship upon your return if you continue to meet all other scholarship criteria.

If you are suspended or dismissed from the University, you will lose your scholarship eligibility for all future terms. If the suspension or dismissal happens during a term, your scholarship amount may be reduced or cancelled for that term in accordance with any tuition refund given based on the tuition refund schedule. 

If you defer admission, you will retain your original graduate scholarship offer, if you remain in an eligible program. 

If you decline or do not accept your initial offer of admission and accompanying scholarship offer, you will not be eligible for your original scholarship offer if you return to UVM for a later term.

To accept your scholarship, accept your offer of admission as outlined in your notice of acceptance.