Combined Degree Scholarship Program. A Great Opportunity Which Can Come with Hard Choices

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) offers high performing students the choice to continue their education past undergraduate studies and "fast track" into a graduate degree.Students who choose this route early in their academic career can complete their master's degree in about a year, less time than it would take had the student pursued a graduate degree independently.GVSU was awarded a grant to help high performing students who might not be able to afford graduate school the choice to participate in the combined degree program.This helps students from diverse, underrepresented backgrounds have a choice where there were no options before.Many of these students are the first generation in their family to attend a university, and never considered the option of an advanced degree.This paper investigates the options a student in West Michigan should consider when making such a commitment.This includes important decisions on financial gains and losses, committing to a master's topic that fits the student's overall interests, and overall perspective from West Michigan's employers.The combined Degree Program was offered to students ranging from sophomore to junior year standings.Students were selected based on their grades and financial need by Grand Valley State engineering faculty.Some selected students were apprehensive to receive this award as there were many things to consider.Continuing straight to a combined degree meant that the student would not receive any degree until completing the requirements for both the undergrad and graduate requirement, with a bonus of applying some undergraduate credits to their graduate degree.This paper reviews important aspects learned by the Grand Valley faculty of this scholarship program after completing three rounds of scholarships to three groups of talented students.