Chemistry and Biochemistry Scholarships
Looking to take your studies further in chemistry or biochemistry? The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Central Michigan University offers a variety of competitive scholarships designed to recognize your hard work, reward your academic success, and support your involvement in the department.
Whether you're an undergraduate just starting your degree or a graduate student deep into your research, these merit-based scholarships provide meaningful financial support, and many are renewable as long as you continue to meet academic and departmental expectations. With just one application, you’ll be considered for multiple awards that can help lighten your financial load and let you focus more on your coursework and research.
Here’s how to apply:
Submit a completed scholarship application to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry office (Dow Science Complex 268) by 5 p.m. on April 4. Late or incomplete applications won’t be considered unless you’ve made special arrangements by calling the office at 989-774-3981.
There’s also a separate Cobb Scholarship application available specifically for incoming freshmen.
What matters in the selection process?
A committee appointed by the department chair will review applications based on:
- Your academic performance, especially in chemistry and biochemistry courses
- The strength and clarity of your personal statement
- Your active participation in departmental opportunities like research groups, the ACS student chapter, or outreach events
- How well you match with the specific criteria for available scholarships
Award notifications are sent via email in late spring or early summer. Scholarship funds are split between your fall and spring semesters and go directly to your student account.
Keep in mind: Renewal isn’t automatic. If you want continued support, you’ll need to reapply each year and show that you’re still excelling academically and staying involved in the department.
Ready to invest in your future? These scholarships can help you stay on track, deepen your connection to the department, and make the most of your time at CMU.
COBB Scholarship Application/Freshmen Only
Available scholarships
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Scholarship
Eligibility: A recipient will be a second semester freshman who has a signed chemistry or biochemistry major and has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Student must have completed CHM 131 and CHM 132 or CHM 161 (or equivalent transfer credits) by the end of the spring semester and be enrolled in at least one chemistry course for the fall semester.
George and Luella Cobb Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility: For Incoming Freshmen Chemistry or Biochemistry major with a GPA of 3.25 or greater. Must be from the Central Michigan area (Mason, Lake, Osceola, Gladwin, Arenac, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Bay, Montcalm, Gratiot,
Shiawassee, or Saginaw County) with a financial need. A preference for students committed to addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM disciplines and demonstrated commitment through his or her service, including leadership.
Renewal: This award is renewable
Wendell and Marcia Dilling Chemistry Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a senior chemistry major with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Student must also be a U.S. citizen and be involved in Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry activities.
About: Established
in 2008 by Wendell and Marcia Dilling.
Renewal: This award is renewable for up to 1 year of continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time attendance or withdrawal from the university will result in cancellation of the scholarship.
Fran and Jim Falender Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry
Eligibility: Student must be majoring in chemistry or a cross-disciplinary program involving chemistry.
About: Established in 2007 by Fran Falender, '69, '78 and Dr. James Falender, chemistry instructor
at CMU.
Renewal: This award is renewable.
Malcom H. Filson Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a second semester sophomore, with a signed chemistry or biochemistry major and has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Student must have completed CHM 131 and CHM 132 or CHM 161, and CHM 211 or CHM 331
or CHM 345 and be enrolled in at least one chemistry course for the fall semester.
About: Established in 2000 to honor Malcolm H. Filson, former chairperson of the Department of Chemistry.
Howell Scholarship in the Chemical Sciences
Eligibility: Student must be a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, or related area. Students in pre-professional programs (pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy,
pre-health professions, pre-law, etc.) are not eligible for consideration. Preferably, the student will have initiated undergraduate research in the chemical sciences.
About: Selection of the recipient will be based
solely on the potential for significant contribution to the chemical sciences. Need is not a criterion.
Renewal: This scholarship is renewable.
Dr. Frank D. and M. Virjean Johnson Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in chemistry, biology, or physics with the goal of making a career in the aforementioned sciences. Student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. Alternate
years award this scholarship to a science major in teacher education.
About: Established in 2000 by Dr. Frank D. Johnson, '50, former director of Continuing Medical Education at Central Michigan Community Hospital
and his wife, M. Virjean, '51, former elementary teacher. This scholarship is based on academic achievement and not on financial need​.
Renewal: The award is renewable; student must maintain a 3.5 GPA.
Robert E. and Cordelia B. Kohrman Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a junior enrolled in the College of Science and Engineering who has a signed major in chemistry, a minimum GPA of 3.2, and demonstrates outstanding performance in organic chemistry.
About: Established
in 2005 by Robert E. and Cordelia B. Kohrman.
Renewal: The scholarship is renewable for up to 2 years.
Mary Jane Merrill Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a second semester junior with a signed chemistry or biochemistry major and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Student must have completed CHM 131 and CHM 132 or CHM 161 (or equivalent transfer credits),
CHM 211, and CHM 345 and CHM 346, and be enrolled in at least one chemistry course for the fall semester.
About: Established in 1969 by parents Elwyn E. Merrill, '44, and Grace Bonnell Merrill, '41, as a tribute to their daughter and her grandfather, Ernest Merrill, Ph.D. Mary Jane was a junior majoring in education who lost her life in a car accident. Ernest was a faculty member from 1921 to 1953 and chairperson of Chemistry and Physics when he retired.
Dr. Barbara Leiting-O'Connell Family Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must be a full-time junior or senior with a signed chemistry major (first preference), or a physics or math major, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Preference will also be given to students desiring to
attend graduate school and who demonstrate financial need.
About: Established in 2007 by Dr. John F. O'Connell, '83, in memory of Dr. Barbara Leiting-O'Connell.
Renewal: The award is renewable assuming continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time attendance or withdrawal from the university will result in cancellation of the scholarship. Student must also maintain a 3.25 GPA.
Greg and Antoinette Rickle Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
About: Established in 2010 by Greg (Class of 1973) and Antoinette (Nina) Rickle (1973). This award alternates yearly between the chemistry and anthropology departments. If no qualified recipient is available, the other department may award the scholarship for that year.
Shirley Larzelere Viele Scholarship
Eligibility: Student must have a signed chemistry major, intent of becoming a high school chemistry teacher, and be involved in campus activities, such as the American Chemical Society student affiliates or intramural sports.
About: Students must submit a one-page essay that demonstrates their financial need.
Renewal: This award is renewable.
Michael J. and Susan P. Farrell Endowed Scholarship in Science Education
Eligibility: A renewable award for a student enrolled in the College of Science and Engineering pursuing a career in science education with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
Renewal: This award is renewable.
Max A. May Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry
Eligibility: Must be a junior or senior chemistry or biochemistry major with a GPA of 2.5 or greater and come from a rural/farming background.
Renewal: This award is renewable 1 time.
Joan H. Rogers Endowed Award
Eligibility: Must have a GPA of 3.0 or greater with chemistry career aspirations including teaching, medicine, or otherwise health related.
Renewal: This award is renewable 2 times.
Paul David Cratin Physical Chemistry Graduate Student Endowed Award
Eligibility: Must be a chemistry graduate student pursuing a MS degree in an area related to physical chemistry.
Philip J. Squattrito Scholarship
Eligibility: Must be an undergraduate signed chemistry major with a GPA of 3.0 or greater AND a 3.0 of greater in Chemistry classes with a minimum of 8 credit hours of chemistry.
Timothy Burdon Endowed Chemistry Award
Eligibility: Must be a junior or higher student majoring in chemistry with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. Must be a Michigan resident (very strong preference given to Midland county residents).
Wilson F. Millar III Chemistry Scholarship Fund
Eligibility: Student must be enrolled in a qualifying major within the Chemistry Department. Student must demonstrate financial need and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. This award is renewable.
William F. Sowle III and Elizabeth A. Sowle Scholarship Fund
Eligibility: Student must be at the junior or senior level, majoring in Chemistry and demonstrate financial need.
About: Established to provide assistance to upper level Chemistry majors.
Renewal: This scholarship is not renewable.