Mark and Tori Smith Endowed Scholarship

Purpose:
Mark J. Smith, principal of the Englewood-based M.J. Smith and Associates and one of Registered Rep. Magazine’s top ten outstanding wealth advisors in America, has long been committed to helping students from needy families further their education. His commitment to fund scholarships comes from his personal experience. Mr. Smith comments, “When I was growing up, my single-parent mom worked two waitress jobs to give my siblings and me everything she could, but there was no money left for a college education. It was the generosity of others that allowed me to get my degree. I’m happy to return the favor.”

The Mark and Tori Smith Endowed Scholarship (FIN52) is established to provide scholarships to students pursuing a degree in Finance, Accounting or to those students seeking a Personal Finance Planning Certificate.

Criteria:
• Be meeting MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid
• Have significant financial need, must be Pell-eligible as determined by FAFSA/CASFA and the University’s Office Financial Aid and Scholarships – EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) must be less than $5711. EFC amount is subject to change each academic year, but student Pell requirement will remain as set criteria
• Be at least half-time (6 or more credit hours for undergrad, 3 or more credit hours for graduate students)
• Be pursuing a Personal Financial Planning Certificate, or a have a declared major in Finance, Accounting or be pursuing a graduate degree in Professional Accountancy
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for Freshman/Sophomore students
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for Junior/Senior students

The Donor’s preference is to provide full cost of tuition/fees (less any governmental aid or other outside sources of aid that are not student loans) for one academic year. Award amounts will vary depending on each student’s individual cost of attendance and unmet need and will be determined at the discretion of the Office of Financial Aid. A portion of the student’s unmet need may be covered by the scholarship.

Preference will be given to students with an interest in Personal Financial Planning.

The scholarship is renewable (contingent on available funds) for multiple years if criteria continues to be met.

DACA/ASSET/Dreamer/International and other undocumented students are eligible for this scholarship.