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
Elite Honors Scholarship
- Open to high school seniors with both a minimum -3.6 GPA and an ACT score of at least 25
- Open to high school seniors with both a minimum 3.75 GPA and an ACT score of at least 20
- $3,000 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
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 3.0 GPA and an ACT score of at least 20
- 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
Dr. Leslie O. Carlin Scholarship for Freshmen
- Open to incoming freshmen who have been admitted to CMU
- Open to applicants with demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA
- 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
- Art scholarships
Biology scholarships
- Biology scholarships
Broadcast and cinematic arts scholarships
- Broadcast and cinematic arts scholarships
College of Communication and Fine Arts Scholarships
- Caponigro and Tucker Scholarships
Music scholarships
- Music scholarships
Communication and dramatic arts
- Communication and dramatic arts
Michigan Creativity Association
- Michigan Creativity Association
College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Scholarships
- Please visit this page for a complete list of available scholarships.

Qualifications

Recipients of CMU merit- and talent-based scholarships equal to or greater than $1,500 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.