International Undergraduate Student Costs & Scholarships

Cost of attendance for international undergraduates

The table below provides the estimated minimum cost of living in the U.S. and studying at Central Michigan University for 9 months (one academic year). These estimates do not include the cost of living and studying in the summer. If you plan to remain in the U.S. during the summer, you will need to ensure that you have additional funds for tuition, fees, living expenses and miscellaneous expenses.

The United States government requires that Central Michigan University obtains verification of financial support from all students requesting Certificates of Eligibility (I-20s). F-1 students are required to take a full-time course load (12 credits for undergraduates) each fall and spring semester.

The figures below are an estimate for costs like tuition, fees, books, living expenses and required health insurance for academic year 2024-2025:

Types of CostsInternational Undergraduate
Tuition & fees*$20,850
Housing & food*$12,178
Miscellaneous expenses (includes books, incidentals and personal expenses)$3,500
Health insurance$1,550
Total$38,078

*Based on a 24-credit-hour per year undergraduate class load, living in on-campus housing with a meal plan. Incoming freshmen are required to live on campus for the first two years. Transfer students entering CMU with college credits are not required to live on campus. Dependents: You must submit proof of additional funds in the amount of $5,000 for each dependent spouse and $2,500 for each dependent (minor) child who will accompany you to the U.S.

The international rate applies to students who are not eligible for the U.S. resident tuition rates, as outlined by the CMU Resident Status Policy.

Rates are estimates and subject to change.

Our Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is dedicated to helping all students with questions about costs and resources to finance your education. Email them at financialaid@cmich.edu. 

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

International undergraduate scholarships

More than 34% of our eligible international undergraduate freshmen and 47% of our international undergraduate transfer students do not pay the full international tuition rate. Why? Because they receive some type of scholarship or grant from CMU.

Merit-based international undergraduate scholarships

You are automatically considered for these merit scholarships when you apply to CMU. There is no separate application and no essay for you to write. If you meet the requirements, you will receive the highest scholarship for which you qualify. 

Please note that any student sponsored by their home country is not eligible for an award.

International President’s Award

You will receive the U.S. resident tuition rate. If you qualify for the lower-level tuition rate (you have less than 56 college credits) you will save $8,808 per year. If you qualify for the upper-level tuition rate (you have 56 or more college credits) you will save $9,048 per year.  Amounts are based on the 2023/2024 tuition rates for 24 credits per year and are subject to change. 

Requirements:

  • Overall GPA of 3.3 or higher (on U.S. 4.0 scale)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

International Scholar Award

You will receive $4,000 per year for 4 years. Transfer students receive $4,000 per year for 3 years. 

Requirements:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0-3.29 (on U.S. 4.0 scale)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

International Opportunity Award

You will receive $1,000 per year for 4 years. Transfer students receive $1,000 per year for 3 years. 

Requirements:

  • Overall GPA of 2.8-2.9 (on U.S. 4.0 scale)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

Centralis Scholarship

International high school seniors may be eligible to earn one of our most prestigious competitive scholarships! If you are chosen, you become a member of our Honors College and can earn up to a full scholarship (free tuition, fees, room and board for four years).

You will compete just like any other Centralis candidate and must meet the same Centralis competition requirements and deadlines.

Centralis Scholarship information

Other scholarships

    The Leader Advancement Scholarship is awarded each year to outstanding high school seniors who have distinguished themselves through a record of leadership and service. The Leader Advancement scholarship is worth $8,000 ($2,000 annually for four years).

    This scholarship recognizes a select few high school graduates for their dedication to the advancement of underrepresented groups in America. As a student enrolled full-time in courses on campus, you will receive $4,125 per academic year for up to four consecutive years. This award has a total approximate value of up to $16,500.

    In addition, this scholarship can be added to the Maroon and Gold Merit Award.

    Learn more

    This scholarship recognizes a few select high school graduates for their dedication to the advancement of underrepresented groups in America. As a student enrolled full-time in courses on campus, you will receive 100 percent of tuition, standard housing and food rates and $500 for books, for up to four consecutive years. This award has a value of nearly $100,000.

    Learn more

  • $1,000 per year / $3,000 over three years
  • Available to new transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members with at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA and 12 earned credits.
  • Can be combined with the Transfer Honors and Recognition scholarships.
  • Can be renewed for up to three years by maintaining full-time enrollment and earning at least 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year (fall, spring and summer if needed). Third-year renewal requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 30 new CMU credits earned each academic year (fall, spring and summer if needed).

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    New transfer students will be automatically considered for the merit-based scholarships listed here. No additional application is necessary. 

    Scholarship Universe is a service that matches you with a wide variety of scholarships. You answer questions about yourself and it connects you with scholarship opportunities you can apply for at CMU and from other external sources.

    Our academic departments also offer scholarships to admitted students. Check with your department for scholarship application procedures.

    Working on campus is another way to earn money. International students are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week. You can apply to jobs after you arrive on campus and obtain the necessary work permits. Check out jobs currently available on campus.

    Many scholarships are offered by a variety of non-university affiliated community and private organizations such as fraternal organizations, civic or religious groups, professional or governmental organizations, or private foundations. These scholarships are usually awarded based on academic merit or some special talent, such as athletic or musical ability. You can find information about outside scholarships by using some of the free scholarship searches on the internet and researching scholarships available in your local area.

    Advice for searching for scholarships:

    • Do not pay to apply for a scholarship.
    • Do not pay for any kind of “processing” fee.
    • Begin your scholarship search a year before you’ll need it.
    • Be careful about providing private information.
    • Check with your school guidance department and local organizations. Search the internet. Many scholarships are found simply by exploring a personal interest.