Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Biology Scholarships

We understand that paying for college can be challenging. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships through the College of Science and Engineering and the Department of Biology. Explore our available scholarships and apply for those that fit your specific needs.

Incoming Freshmen Scholarship

  • Purpose: To provide awards to incoming freshmen who intend to major in biology and who have outstanding high school academic backgrounds.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be an incoming freshman with a minimum high school GPA of 3.5, strong background in biology and chemistry, three years of mathematics and a minimum composite score of 25 (ACT), or 1200 (SAT).
  • Renewal status: This award is renewable for up to three additional years upon reapplication. To be eligible for renewal, the recipient must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better freshman year and a 3.25 thereafter, with a 3.0 or better in biology, chemistry, and physics courses. The student must complete at least one biology course per semester as a full-time student.
  • Scholarship/donor information: Alumni and faculty members who contributed to the Biology Department General Fund for Scholarships established this scholarship in honor of emeritus faculty Laverne Curry, Jack Adams, Wakelin McNeel, and Faith Johnston.

Irene Jorae Scholarship

  • Purpose: To provide awards to incoming freshmen who intend to major in biology and who have outstanding high school academic backgrounds.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be an incoming freshman with a minimum high school GPA of 3.5, strong background in biology and chemistry, three years of mathematics, and a minimum composite score of 25 (ACT), or 1200 (SAT).
  • Renewal Status: This award is renewable for up to three additional years upon reapplication. To be eligible for renewal, the recipient must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better freshman year and a 3.25 thereafter, with a 3.0 or better in biology, chemistry, and physics courses. The student must complete at least one biology course per semester as a full-time student.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: Established in 1966 by Rodney J. Rogers, a former student, and contributed to by many other students, faculty, family and friends to commemorate her 37 years of service (1923 – 1960) to CMU. Irene was an ornithologist, author of the booklet “Guide for Young Naturalists”, dedicated teacher, friend, and counselor who served 24 years as head of the Biology Department. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding incoming freshmen planning to major in Biology.

Nicholas and Mabel Cuthbert Scholarship

  • Purpose: To provide awards to incoming freshmen who intend to major in biology and who have outstanding high school academic backgrounds.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be an incoming freshman with a minimum high school GPA of 3.5, strong background in biology and chemistry, three years of mathematics, and a minimum composite score of 25 (ACT), or 1200 (SAT).
  • Renewal Status: This award is renewable for up to three additional years upon reapplication. To be eligible for renewal, the recipient must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better freshman year and a 3.25 thereafter, with a 3.0 or better in biology, chemistry, and physics courses. The student must complete at least one biology course per semester as a full-time student.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: The Nicholas and Mabel Cuthbert Biology Scholarship was established by their daughter, Dr. Francesca Cuthbert (currently Professor and Department Head, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota) to provide an award to an incoming freshman who intends to major in biology and who has an outstanding high school academic background. Dr. Nicholas Cuthbert was hired in 1947 as a young assistant professor trained in genetics. He taught many courses, including those in the area of ornithology, and served as interim Chair of the Biology Department. Mabel Cuthbert taught intermittently in the Biology department and was the author of two books on wildflower identification. Nicholas and Mabel Cuthbert were very active at the university and in the community. Nicholas retired in 1976.

Transfer Student Scholarship

  • Purpose: To provide an award to a transfer student majoring in biology and who has an university, college, or community college background.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA or better.
  • Renewal Status: This award is renewable for up to three additional years upon reapplication. To be eligible for renewal, the recipient must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better the first year and a 3.25 thereafter, with a 3.0 or better in biology, chemistry, and physics courses. The student must complete at least one biology course per semester as a full-time student.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: A fairly unique aspect to our departmental scholarships is the recognition of transfer students. The Biology Department Transfer Student Scholarship is designed to acknowledge the outstanding academic background of a student majoring in biology who is transferring here from another university, college or community college. The award is based on previous college or community college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and participation in extracurricular activities.