Please contact CLASSscholarships@cmich.edu or 989-774-3341 if you have any questions. Scholarship applications will be open October 1 - November 30 in Scholarship Universe.
Michael “Gio” Giordano established the Michael "Gio" Giordano Helping Professions Award in 2013 to recognize the impact of his educational experience at Central Michigan University and to provide for those who pursue the goal of helping others. This renewable award is distributed once a year to a full-time, undergraduate student enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Students must be studying social work, professional counseling, or psychology.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
Antonio’s mother, Dr. Susan Grettenberger, his family and many friends established this award in 2021, in honor of Antonio Leon Jordan ‘12. Antonio left a legacy of public service and had a love for books and teaching, especially of children and youth who were at risk. This scholarship is to support the success of students who are from traditionally under-represented groups. Consideration will be given to those committed to working with historically underserved or underprivileged populations, and who demonstrate service to the public via extracurricular/volunteer experience.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The Brenda Lawrence Scholarship was established in 2025 by Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence '05. Born and raised in Detroit, Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence is a product of Michigan's public-school system. She is an alumna of Pershing High School and earned her bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Before she began her career in public service, the Congresswoman had a notable career with the U.S. Postal Service for nearly 30 years. In 2014, Congresswoman Lawrence was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served on several caucuses and committees throughout these years. She was also the Mayor of the City of Southfield for 14 years and was the first African American and the first woman who served in that position.
This scholarship will support Undergraduate students pursuing any major within the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to recipients having graduated from John J. Pershing High School (Detroit, Michigan) or from a high school within the City of Southfield, Michigan.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The Honorable Fred M. and Lynne M. Mester Family Endowment was established to recognize 1959 CMU graduate Judge Fred Mester's legacy as a respected friend, colleague, and mentor. Judge Mester's distinguished judicial career spans more than 26 years with the Oakland County Circuit Court. He also is a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office. As a chief of the Civil Division, prior to his judicial career, Judge Mester served in the Military as a Captain in the United Sates Army. This endowment also honors Judge Mester's wife, Lynne, a 1959 CMU graduate holding a degree in Education with a major in Social Studies and minors in Biology and English.
This award provides scholarship support to full-time CMU undergraduate students with a major or minor in the following departments: English Language and Literature; Political Science; and Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work. In addition, ROTC cadets, regardless of area of study, are eligible.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
Established in 1982 by CMU alumnus G. William Quine, '57 for a Michigan resident studying liberal arts. Applicant must be a full time student pursuing a liberal arts curriculum. Recipient will be at least a sophomore and preference will be given to students whose GPA is below 3.0 without regard to financial need or academic standing. The scholarship is not renewable.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The E. Gary & Myra Shapiro Scholarship in Social and Behavioral Sciences was originally established in 2005 by Dr. & Mrs. Gary Shapiro. The fund initially awarded a monetary prize for the best social or behavioral science research paper but was amended in 2025 to benefit a larger demographic of students.
Dr. Shapiro dedicated more than 35 years of service to Central Michigan University including serving as a professor of sociology, as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (formerly known as the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences), and as provost and executive vice president of Central Michigan University.
This scholarship will support Undergraduate students pursuing a major within either the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service or the Department of Psychology.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences considers undergraduate and graduate students’ participation in professional conferences to be a vital part of their education. Students who attend a professional conference or meeting at the state, national, or international level are eligible to receive up to $100 for registration fees. Only costs associated with registration will be reimbursed; no travel costs will be eligible. Undergraduate and graduate students whose research or creative endeavors are accepted for presentation at state, national, or international level conferences are eligible for up to $300 for expenses associated with the presentation. Reimbursable expenses include registration fees, travel, and lodging with reimbursement made after conference attendance.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted prior to the conference presentation to be eligible for consideration.
The John E. Warriner Scholarship was established through an estate gift from the late Dr. John E. Warriner. Dr. Warriner was the author of Warriner's Handbook of English and the six-volume series English Grammar and Composition. He was the son of former Central Michigan University president Eugene C. Warriner.
Several scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in anthropology, cultural & global studies, economics, English, foreign languages, history, journalism, museum studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, speech, social work, or sociology. Applicants must have a minimum 3.25 GPA.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The Gabriel Chien Memorial Fund was created to honor the memory of history professor Gabriel Chien. The award encourages students to look at the world from a global and historical perspective, which was Dr. Chien's lifelong commitment. The scholarship is awarded annually to one student who demonstrates an interest in global and historical perspectives through a written essay.
Applicant must submit a written essay that focuses on an aspect of Chinese culture, Sino-American relations, or a comparative study of China.
Paper should be no longer than 10 pages.
Applications open October 1 - November 30.
The Student Paper Competition is an award presented annually for papers written for classes (300 level and above) within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences during the previous academic year.
Applicants can submit research papers, essays, creative works, theoretical papers, reviews of research, or papers presented at professional conferences.
This competition does not include a monetary award.
Deadline: TBA Spring 2026