Scholarships generally require that the student complete a certain number of credits each semester. For example, the Banneker/Key Scholarship, a full scholarship offered by the University of Maryland, requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits each semester. Merit-based scholarships at Northeastern University also require recipients be enrolled as full-time students.
Most schools warn that if your grade point average (GPA) dips below a certain level, you will lose your scholarship. Fairmont State University declares that recipients of the Charles J. McClain Scholarship must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Washington College of Law at American University goes one step further by saying that students who receive the Public Interest/Public Service Scholarship and then graduate with a GPA of less than 3.0 will be expected to repay the money awarded.
Besides maintaining full-time status and a high GPA, some scholarships require students to complete community service. Recipients of full scholarships for Northeastern University are expected to complete at least 100 hours of community service for each academic year. Washington College of Law at American University mandates that Public Interest/Public Service Scholarship recipients are expected to organize Public Service Days and complete 75 hours of pro bono work prior to graduation.