Meritus Scholars|Central Classroom, Suite 223

Through Meritus Scholars, anyone who is at least 60 years old may audit courses at MSU Denver at no cost to them on a non-credit, space available basis. Participants must be 60 years of age the semester before they want to attend classes.

No. You only apply for admission IF you want to take the course for credit, which involves paying regular tuition and fees. Meritus Scholars participants do not formally register for the courses they wish to audit, nor do they need to apply to be admitted to the University.

Do not contact Admissions or Registration to register in the Meritus Scholars Program. Contact the program at [email protected].

No, this is a non-credit program. If you wish to earn credit, then you should apply through the regular admissions process.

Access is usually available approximately 48 hours after your registration form is received either by email or in person.

Yes, starting Fall 2023 due to new building restrictions on campus. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Your credentials consist of the following three items, which are used to access university systems and email:

MSU Denver Identification Number (also known as the student ID # or 900#)

MSU Denver Email Address – Example: [email protected]

MSU Denver Net ID – this is the portion of the email address before @msudenver, which in the example above is “pickles”.

New participants receive their credentials, via email, approximately 48 hours after the pre-registration form is received by the Meritus  Scholars program. The credentials are used to set up your MSU Denver account, which must be completed prior to accessing Canvas.

If you are a returning participant who can’t access their email, or log on to your MSU Denver account, and need your credentials, please email [email protected] for assistance.

If you need assistance setting up your MSU Denver account, password reset, trouble accessing Canvas course(s), email issues, or other IT related concerns, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected]. Please do not contact IT directly as they will contact the Meritus Scholars program with your concerns, which will delay your request.

Download directions to learn how to Search the course catalog and schedule

MSU Denver has many different course delivery options. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s website.  Scroll down the page to the Course Delivery Methods section.

• You can search for textbooks here: MSU Denver Bookstore
• Meritus Scholars participants are permitted to sell back textbooks to the Tivoli Station (formerly the Auraria Campus Bookstore). They buy back books year-round except for the first 2 weeks prior to and after the start of the school year.
• Present your university identification card when selling textbooks back to the bookstore.
• If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected] 

You must set up your MSU Denver account before you can access Canvas.

Use this link to set up your account: Setting Up Your MSU Denver Account

• Scroll down to the Instructions and begin at #2. Item #1 is intended for tuition paying students and employees.
• You should be able to follow the instructions to set up your account. If you have any problems doing so, please call the IT Help Desk at 303-352-7548 or visit them in the Jordan Student Success Building (JSSB), Suite 130A, located to the right side of the Financial Aid window. Please take your university identification card and a photo ID with you.

Once your account is set up you will be able to access Canvas through the Student Hub. Click on “Web Services” then “Canvas”.

Canvas is the university’s learning management system (LMS) used by instructors to post course materials.

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Because it’s built using current web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.

1. Logging in to Canvas
· Navigate to the Student Hub on the MSU Denver webpage.

· Under Web Services, click Canvas.

· You will be asked to log in. (Use your NetID and University ID#)

2. Navigating Canvas
Inside Canvas, you will have access to the Canvas Student Training course. Access this course to learn how to use Canvas.

3. Canvas Tutorials:
· Overview Video
· How to view all of your courses
· Using the dashboard
· Using the course home page
· How to submit an assignment
· How to reply to a discussion

While the large majority of MSU Denver classes are available to Meritus Scholars participants on a space available basis, some classes with specific studio or technical requirements may not be. Attendance in courses is always at the discretion of the instructor.  Also, participants are restricted to attending two courses per semester.

Restricted Courses

• Courses with substantial fees
• Non-credit courses
• Correspondence courses
• Self-paced courses
• Art Studio courses
• Communication Design courses
• Creative Writing courses
• Private Music Instruction
• Courses requiring a lab or specialized equipment, including restaurant (RST) and beverage (BVG) management
• Field trips
• Master’s degree courses

No, Meritus Scholars participants do not have to meet pre-requisite requirements for courses they attend.  They just need the approval of the instructor.

New Participants complete the  Meritus Scholars New Participants Pre-Registration:

• Pre-registration allows entry into university systems, assigns a university identification number,  and provides access to an official university identification card.
• Submit the form at least one week prior to the first day of a course.
• Late submissions may delay your access to university systems and your ability to complete registration.
• When this form has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email that the pre-registration process is complete.  This email will also contain your university credentials and instructions on obtaining your identification card.
• Complete the Meritus Scholars Registration Form after you receive your confirmation email.

Returning Participants complete the new online Meritus Scholars Registration Form

• If you do not have an official MSU Denver identification card, please contact the Meritus Scholars Coordinator, Susan Heath, at [email protected].

No, you do not. Participation is only for your personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

This service is offered at no charge.

No, the program does not provide RTD bus passes to Meritus Scholars participants.

Campus parking is managed by the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC).  Please visit their website at Parking & Transportation Services for detailed information.