Statistics, Actuarial and Data Sciences Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships created specifically for students pursuing degrees in Statistics, Actuarial Science, and Data Science. These awards recognize not only academic excellence, but also curiosity, leadership, and the drive to turn data into real-world impact.

Whether you’re an incoming student just beginning your journey or a continuing scholar advancing your expertise, our scholarships are designed to reduce financial barriers so you can focus on learning, research, and professional growth.

Explore the opportunities below to see how you can earn meaningful support, built to help you stay on track, reach your goals, and graduate career-ready in one of today’s most in-demand fields.

Apply today

Available scholarships

    The Lee Endowed Scholarship was created in 2013 by Dr. Carl Lee and his wife, Ye-Fu Lee ’94, to honor dedication, excellence, and the pursuit of knowledge in data-driven fields.

    Dr. Lee has been part of Central Michigan University since 1984, beginning his career in the Department of Mathematics before founding what is now the Department of Statistics, Actuarial and Data Sciences. Over the years, he has earned some of CMU’s highest honors, including the President’s Award for Outstanding Research & Creative Activity and the Faculty Distinguished Service Award, and was elected a Fellow of the American Statistical Association for his significant contributions to the field.

    Ye-Fu Lee brought her own expertise to CMU as a computer programmer in the Office of Information Technology, serving from 1988 until her retirement in 2013. Together, the Lees established this scholarship to support students who share their passion for data, problem-solving, and academic excellence.

    Each year, the Lee Endowed Scholarship recognizes the top-performing student majoring in Statistics, Actuarial Science, or Data Science at the conclusion of their junior year. No application is required, recipients are automatically selected based on academic achievement, with preference given to those who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is awarded during the recipient’s senior year, with the amount determined by the department in consultation with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

    For students committed to turning data into discovery, the Lee Endowed Scholarship stands as both recognition and encouragement, a reminder that excellence, perseverance, and curiosity can open doors to remarkable opportunities.

    The Miles Actuarial Award was created in 2007 by Dr. Thomas Miles, a dedicated Central Michigan University professor, and his wife, Cindy, to recognize the hard work and determination it takes to succeed in the actuarial field. Their goal was simple but powerful, to help Actuarial Science majors thrive by easing the financial burden of preparing for and taking professional actuarial exams.

    Funded through an endowment, this renewable award provides direct support to students who perform successfully in their exam preparation courses and pass one or more professional actuarial exams. Preference is given to active members of Gamma Iota Sigma, CMU’s professional organization for students in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science.

    Students who pass an actuarial exam can receive scholarship awards based on the specific exam completed:

    • Exam P (Probability): $250
    • Exam PA (Predictive Analytics): $225
    • Exam FM (Financial Mathematics): $250Exam SRM (Statistics for Risk Modeling): $325
    • Exam IFM (Investment and Financial Markets): $350

    To receive the award, students simply submit proof of their exam success to the Department of Statistics, Actuarial and Data Sciences.

    By supporting future actuaries as they take these critical first steps toward certification, the Miles Actuarial Award helps transform ambition into achievement, rewarding excellence, reducing barriers, and encouraging students to continue building strong foundations for their professional futures.

    Established in 2018 by CMU alumni Daniel ’78 and Barbara Wardrop ’78, this scholarship reflects their shared belief in the power of education to open new doors and change lives. The Wardrops created this fund to encourage outstanding students in Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, or Mathematics to continue their academic journey beyond a bachelor’s degree, and to dream bigger by pursuing graduate study at the master’s or doctoral level.

    Valued at $2,500, this non-renewable scholarship supports students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and meet one of the following criteria:

    • A senior majoring in Statistics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, or Mathematics who intends to pursue a graduate degree.
    • A student completing their first year, and entering their second, in CMU’s Accelerated Master’s in Applied Statistics & Analytics or Accelerated Master’s in Mathematics, with plans to continue toward a Ph.D.
    • Preference is given to students who express a desire to attend Virginia Tech University for graduate study, as well as those who submit a personal narrative outlining their academic goals and motivation to pursue advanced degrees in applied statistics, actuarial science, or mathematics.

    Through this award, the Wardrops hope to inspire the next generation of scholars to continue pushing boundaries, advancing research, solving complex problems, and leading innovation in data-driven fields.

    Apply today