Scholarships for Freshmen
We offer merit-based and competitive scholarships based on a variety of factors including academic success, community engagement, multicultural awareness, and more. U.S. citizens and permanent residents graduating high school in 2023 and entering college that fall as freshmen are eligible for the following awards.
Merit awards
Competitive scholarships
Departmental scholarships
Additional scholarships
Maroon and Gold Merit Recognition Awards
Our Maroon and Gold Merit Recognition Award program provides scholarship opportunities to incoming freshmen based on high school academics. These scholarships cover anywhere from 20–65 percent of the cost of 30 credits per year for up to four years. These scholarships are based on a percentage of the cost of tuition, so their value increases if tuition increases.
Incoming freshmen who have applied to CMU are automatically considered for these awards. We are test optional, meaning you do not have to submit an ACT or SAT score in order to be admitted or be considered for one of our Maroon and Gold Merit Awards.
No additional application is required. Apply by December 1 to receive priority consideration.
Merit awards based on GPA and test score
Merit awards based on GPA only:
| Percent of tuition | HSGPA | First-year value | Four-year value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 4.0 | $6,600 | $27,420 |
| 45% | 3.9-3.99 | $5,940 | $24,678 |
| 40% | 3.8-3.89 | $5,280 | $21,936 |
| 35% | 3.7-3.79 | $4,620 | $19,194 |
| 30% | 3.6-3.69 | $3,960 | $16,452 |
| 25% | 3.0-3.59 | $3,300 | $13,710 |
(Scholarship values above are for the 2022-2023 academic school year.)
Renewal requirements
All students must live on campus for two years. In your first year, as long as you're enrolled full-time (12 credits fall/spring), and you earn 30 new CMU credits over the academic year (summer included), you'll keep your merit scholarship for your second year.
In order to renew your scholarship for a third year, you must have a 3.0 GPA and have earned 60 new CMU credits.Competitive scholarships
Our competitive scholarships for incoming freshmen are awarded based on a variety of factors, including academic success, community engagement, leadership, enhancing diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion, and more. They require a separate application and have application deadlines different than our merit awards.
Centralis Scholar Award
• Covers 100% of tuition and fees (up to 33 credits per academic year), room and board, $250/semester book allowance, and $5,000 to study away
• Open to high school seniors with a GPA of 3.7
• Renewable for up to four years
• Scholarship renewal is dependent upon the student earning at least 30 credit hours each year and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: Monday, November 1, 2022
Centralis Gold Award
• Covers 100% of tuition (up to 33 credits per academic year) and $5,000 to study away
• Open to high school seniors with a GPA of 3.7
• Renewable for up to four years
• Scholarship renewal is dependent upon the student earning at least 30 credit hours each year and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: November, 1, 2022
Leader Advancement Scholarship
• $2,000 per academic year.
• Open to incoming freshmen with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have distinguished themselves through a record of leadership and service.
• Scholarship renewal is dependent upon the student completing required protocol and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: January 15, 2023
Lloyd M. Cofer Scholarship
• $4,125 per year.
• Incoming freshmen from a Detroit high school .
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: January 15, 2023
Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction
• Covers 100% of tuition and fees (up to 33 credits per academic year), room and board and $250/semester book allowance
• Renewable for up to four years.
• Open to incoming freshmen who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of underrepresented groups in American society.
• Scholarship renewal is dependent upon the student earning at least 30 credit hours each year and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: January 15, 2023
Multicultural Advancement Scholarship
• $4,125 per academic year.
• Open to incoming freshmen who have shown interest in the advancement of underrepresented groups in American society. This interest may be demonstrated through past activities or through educational aspirations.
• Scholarship renewal is dependent upon the student earning at least 24 credit hours each year and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Deadline to submit application materials for Fall 2023: January 15, 2023
Departmental scholarships
Several of our academic departments also offer competitive scholarships based on the major you plan on going into.
Additional scholarship opportunities
Scholarship Universe is a great new tool for finding both CMU and external scholarships. Log in using your new CMU account and answer profile questions that will match you to scholarship opportunities. Then, choose the scholarships you’d like to apply to. Don’t Wait! Apply by March 31st.