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International Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

General Merit Based Scholarship

​​​​International undergraduate students have the opportunity to receive one merit-based scholarship. There is no separate application for these awards. Any student sponsored by their home country is not eligible for this award.

Please note that students can receive one of the following scholarships.  They will receive the highest scholarship for which they qualify.

International President's Award

Students who receive the President's Award scholarship​ will receive the resident (U.S.) tuition rate and save $8,808 per year if lower level or $9,048 per year if upper level (based on the 2023/2024 tuition rates for 24 credits per year). Students who meet the following requirements are eligible for the award.

  1. Overall GPA of 3.3 or higher (on the US 4.0 scale)
  2. Proof of English proficiency
  3. Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

International Scholar Award

Incoming freshmen who receive the Scholar Award will receive $4,000 per year for 4 years. Transfer students who receive the Scholar Award will receive $4,000 per year for 3 years. Students who meet the following requirements are eligible for the award.

  1. Overall GPA of 3.0-3.29 (on the US 4.0 scale)
  2. Proof of English proficiency
  3. Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

International Opportunity Award

Incoming freshmen who receive the Opportunity Award will receive $1,000 per year for 4 years. Transfer students who receive the Scholar Award will receive $1,000 per year for 3 years. Students who meet the following requirements are eligible for the award.

  1. Overall GPA of 2.8-2.9 (on the US 4.0 scale)
  2. Proof of English proficiency
  3. Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)

Centralis Scholarship

We annually seek top high school seniors to comprise the incoming freshman class of Centralis Honors Scholars. Scholars are selected from two on-campus essay competitions held each fall. Winners are awarded a spot in the prestigious Honors Scholar Program and a Centralis Scholarship ranging from full-tuition to a full-ride. Competition spots are limited and pre-registration is required.

Other Scholarships

Students have the opportunity to use Scholarship Universe. Scholarship Universe is a matching system that maximizes scholarship opportunities for students. It allows students to create an academic profile that enables them to connect with various internal and external scholarship opportunities.

Departments throughout Central Michigan University offer scholarship opportunities. View departmental scholarships.

If you have any questions or would like more information about department scholarships, please contact the department directly.

Working on campus is another way to earn funds to support your studies here at CMU. International students are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week. You are able to apply to jobs after you arrive on campus and obtain the necessary work permits. Check out jobs currently available on campus.

Students may receive scholarships from a variety of non-university affiliated community and private organizations such as fraternal organizations, civic or religious groups, professional, trade, or governmental organizations, or private foundations. These scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of 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.

Helpful hints/advice for searching for scholarships that we recommend for you:

- Do not pay to apply for a scholarship

- Do not pay for any kind of "processing" fee

- Begin the scholarship search a year prior to the academic year of the award

- Be very careful about providing private information

- Check with guidance departments and local organizations Search the internet; many scholarships are found simply by exploring a personal interest