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CMU Scholarships for New Students

Many scholarships are available to CMU students in recognition of their outstanding academic and/or leadership achievement.

Scholarships

Here is a partial listing. Other scholarships are available through individual CMU departments. Consult the Bulletin or contact your chosen department for more information.

Click on a scholarship below to view more information.

  • Centralis Scholarship Program
    • CMU’s highest merit-based scholarship awards
    • Open to all Michigan high school students with a 3.5 GPA or higher
    • 20 Centralis Scholar Awards equal to the cost of tuition, room and board and a $500 allowance toward the cost of books and supplies
    • 20 Centralis Gold Awards equal to the cost of tuition
    • Both awards are renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 3.25 GPA and full-time enrollment
    • Applications are sent to qualifying students in the fall and are available from guidance counselors
  • Outstanding High School Student Scholarship
    • Open to high school seniors who rank first or second in their high school graduating class
    • No application necessary – qualifying students will automatically receive this award
    • $4,000 per academic year
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 3.25 GPA and full-time enrollment
    • Centralis Scholarship replaces this award
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls in both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
  • Academic Honors Scholarship
    • Open to high school seniors with both a minimum 3.5 GPA and an ACT score of at least 20
    • No application necessary – qualifying students will automatically receive this award
    • $2,500 per academic year
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 3.25 GPA and full-time enrollment
    • Centralis Scholarship and Outstanding High School Student Scholarship replace this award
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls in both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
  • CMU Leader Advancement Scholarship Program
    • Awarded to 40 outstanding Michigan high school seniors who have distinguished themselves through a record of leadership in their schools and communities
    • Selected by committee based on application and portfolio
    • Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • $2,000 per academic year
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 2.75 GPA and full-time enrollment
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls in both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
    • Apply here
  • Lloyd M. Cofer Scholarships
    • Awarded to up to 10 incoming graduates of a Detroit public high school
    • $4,125 per academic year
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains full-time enrollment and a satisfactory academic record
    • Apply now
  • CMU Multicultural Advancement Scholarships
    • Awarded to up to 44 Michigan high school graduates who demonstrate an interest in the advancement of minorities in American society
    • $4,125 per academic year
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains full-time enrollment and a satisfactory academic record
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls in both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
    • Apply now
  • CMU Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction
    • Awarded to up to 10 incoming freshmen
    • $10,500 per academic year to be used toward the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies
    • Renewable for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 3.25 GPA and full-time enrollment
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls in both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
    • Apply now
  • CMU President’s Award
    • Open to non-Michigan resident high school seniors with a minimum 2.75 GPA
    • Equal to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for the academic year
    • Renewable for new freshmen for three additional consecutive years if student maintains a minimum 2.5GPA, non-Michigan residency and full-time enrollment
    • Participation in the Legacy Program replaces this award
    • Reside in our on-campus residence halls both your freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception by the Office of Residence Life
  • Alumni Legacy Scholarship
    • Available to children and grandchildren of CMU alumni
    • For information and application, click here
  • Grand Rapids Alumni Chapter Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to incoming freshmen from Kent, Ottawa and Barry counties
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with proven academic ability and varied interests
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Grand Traverse Alumni Chapter Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to incoming freshmen from Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with proven academic ability and varied interests
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Tri-Cities Alumni Chapter Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to incoming freshmen from Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with proven academic ability and varied interests
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • James H. Moon Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to graduates of Fremont High School
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Preference given to students studying teacher education
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Judy Johnson Endowed Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to graduates of Newaygo High School
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Moon-Gempel Burton-Bendle High School Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to graduates of Burton-Bendle High School in Burton, Michigan
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Robert and Susan Clarke Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to graduates of Harbor Springs High School
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Preference given to students pursuing a business or teaching degree
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Christman Company Endowed Scholarship
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Preference given to students with three years of high school math
    • Preference given to students going into construction management
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • Dick Enberg Endowed Scholarship Application
    • Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to students from a class C or D high school in Michigan
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students who wish to pursue physical education with the possibility of being an athletic coach
    • Download PDF application and submit to CMU by May 1
  • CMU talent, athletic and departmental scholarships
    • Endowed scholarships are available based on need, academic focus, career aspirations and other criteria
    • Most are awarded by CMU departments to returning students, but a few are available to new students
    • See the CMU Bulletin or contact your chosen academic department for more information
  • Art scholarships
  • Biology scholarships
  • Broadcast and cinematic arts scholarships
  • College of Communication and Fine Arts Scholarships
  • Music scholarships
  • Communication and dramatic arts
  • Michigan Creativity Association
  • College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Scholarships
  • Mark and Elaine Zellner Endowed Award
      Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
    • Applicants must submit the FAFSA listing CMU as the school of choice
    • Preference given to graduates of Allen Park High School in Allen Park, Michigan Note: If no qualified applicant from Allen Park HS is identified, students from Riverview Gabriel Richard HS and Dearborn HS will be considered for this award.
    • Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need
    • Preference given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Amount of award varies each year and is a one-time award
    • Contact the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid (888-392-0007) for application instructions

Qualifications

  • Recipients of CMU merit- and talent-based scholarships equal to or greater than $2,000 are required to reside on campus during their freshman and sophomore years unless they qualify as commuting students or for another exception to the Campus Residency Policy.
  • Students may receive up to two renewable merit scholarships. Students who are selected for more than two renewable scholarships may choose the awards of highest value.

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