Types of Aid for Transfer Students
You’ve worked hard to reach your goals. Now it’s time to get the financial support you deserve. As a transfer student at CMU, you may be able to offset your costs with scholarships, loans, grants or work-study.
Explore your financial aid options
Financial aid at CMU comes in a variety of forms. Some types of aid, like scholarships and grants, are gifts that you don’t have to repay. Others are loans that you’ll start repaying after you’ve earned your degree. Most students receive more than one form of assistance in their financial aid packages.
Here’s an overview of the types of aid available to incoming transfer students at CMU.
Scholarships for transfer students
Scholarships are gift funds that are based on academic achievement and other factors. As a transfer student, you could earn up to $13,500 over three years in transfer scholarships. Here are some of the options.
You will be automatically considered for the merit-based scholarships listed here. No additional application is necessary. For priority consideration, submit your application for admission by April 1 if you are beginning classes in the fall.
Transfer Honors Scholarship
- $3,500 per academic year ($10,500 over three years).
- Available to new transfer students with at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA and 24 earned credits.
- Can be earned in addition to Phi Theta Kappa Award.
- Renewable up to three years*.
Transfer Recognition Scholarship
- $2,000 per academic year ($6,000 over three years).
- Available to new transfer students with at least a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and 12 earned credits.
- Can be earned in addition to Phi Theta Kappa Award.
- Renewable up to three years*.
*Students must maintain full-time enrollment and earn a minimum of 30 credit hours over each academic year to qualify for scholarship renewal. Third-year renewal requires a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and at least 30 new CMU credits earned each year through the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Transfer Success Scholarship
- $1,000 per academic year ($3,000 over three years).
- Available to new part-time transfer students (taking between 6 and 11 credit hours per semester) with at least a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and 12 earned credits.
- Cannot be combined with the Transfer Honors or Recognition Scholarship.
- Renewable up to three years*.
Phi Theta Kappa Award
- $1,000 per academic year ($3,000 over three years).
- Available to Phi Theta Kappa members with at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA and 12 earned credits.
- If the PTK membership is not listed on a student's transcript, they should email a copy of their PTK Membership Certificate to apply@cmich.edu.
- Can be earned in addition to Transfer Honors Scholarships.
- Renewable up to three years*.
*Students must maintain full-time enrollment and earn at least 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year. Third-year renewal requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 30 new CMU credits earned each year through the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship program is free money from the State of Michigan that lowers the cost of tuition by thousands of dollars per year. In fact, Michigan high school graduates can receive up to $5,500 based on financial need. This program is open to students who graduated from a Michigan high school in 2023 or later.
Department Scholarships
Scholarships are also available through many academic departments at CMU. We encourage you to explore the options.
Grants
Based on financial need, grants are gift funds that you don’t have to repay. Grants are available from CMU, the federal government, and other sources.
Federal Pell Grant
- Up to $6,495per academic year.
- Available to full-time undergraduates who:
- Have not received a baccalaureate degree.
- Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $5,846 or less.
- Have not received a Federal Pell grant for more than the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters.
- Meet the general eligibility criteria.
- Apply by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal Application.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Up to $4,000 per academic year.
- Available to undergraduate students who:
- Are enrolled at least half time.
- Qualify on the basis of need.
- Are eligible for a Federal Pell grant.
- Have applied for financial aid by CMU’s priority deadline date.
Apply by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn more about Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
CMU Grant
- Up to $13,200 per academic year.
- Available to a limited number of undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half time.
- Students are chosen based on financial need and FAFSA application data.
- Grant funds are not automatically renewed each year.
- Students may not receive CMU grants for more than two years.
Apply by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Loans
Federal loans with low interest rates can help you pay for your education. You’ll have to pay them back, but borrowing can ease your upfront costs.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
- Available to undergraduates with financial need who are enrolled at least half time.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Available to undergraduate and graduate students with and without financial need.
- You are responsible for paying the interest on this loan even while you’re in school.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Parents
- Available to parents with good credit history.
- Parents can borrow up to the total cost of education minus other expected financial assistance.
Student employment
The federal work-study program gives you the opportunity to contribute toward your education with a campus job.