Scholarships for Freshmen
It’s free application month for undergraduates! Apply anytime in October and your fee is on us.
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 2024 and entering college as freshmen that fall are eligible for the following awards.
Merit scholarships
Competitive scholarships
Departmental scholarships
Additional scholarships
Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarships
Our Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarships award incoming freshmen based on high school academics.
Incoming freshmen who have applied to CMU are automatically considered for these awards. No additional application is required. Apply by December 1 to receive priority consideration.
| ACT | SAT | GPA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0-3.29 | 3.3-3.59 | 3.6-3.79 | 3.8-3.94 | 3.95-4.0 | ||
| <22 or no score | <1100 or no score | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 22-24 | 1100-1190 | $4,250 | $4,750 | $5,250 | $5,750 | $6,750 |
| 25-31 | 1200-1390 | $5,000 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $6,500 | $7,500 |
| 32-36 | 1400-1600 | $5,750 | $6,250 | $6,750 | $7,250 | $8,250 |
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 will 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.
Estimate your merit award
Enter your information below to see what your results are:
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.
These require a separate application and have application deadlines different than our merit awards. Once you submit an application for admission, the competitive scholarship applications you qualify for become visible in your applicant portal.
Applications for students entering Fall 2024 open on August 1, 2023.
Centralis Scholar Award
• Covers 100% of tuition and fees (up to 33 credits per academic year), housing and food, $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.
• Applications are due October 31, 2023.
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.
• Applications are due October 31, 2023.
Leader Advancement Scholarship
• Awards $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 the required protocol and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Applications are due January 15, 2024.
Lloyd M. Cofer Scholarship
• $4,125 per year.
• Incoming freshmen from a Detroit high school.
• Applications are due January 15, 2024.
Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction
• Covers 100% of tuition and fees (up to 33 credits per academic year), housing and food, a $250 book allowance per semester, and $5,000 to study away.
• 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.
• Applications are due January 15, 2024.
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.
• Applications are due January 15, 2024.
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 (you'll receive this once you are admitted) and answer profile questions that will match you to scholarship opportunities. Then, choose the scholarships you’d like to apply to. Apply by March 31