Apply now: CBA scholarships move to Scholarship Universe

Last year, the College of Business Administration awarded nearly 300 scholarships totaling close to $600,000. This year, the application process is changing—and students need to act sooner than ever.

Starting October 1, nearly all CBA scholarships will be handled through Scholarship Universe, CMU’s new online matching tool. The application window runs from October 1 to November 30, replacing the traditional January–March cycle.

“That’s the critical thing students have to understand,” said Cindy Howard, who coordinates the college’s scholarships. “If you wait until spring, you’re already too late.”

How it works

Students log in with their CMU Global ID, complete a profile, and answer a series of questions. The system then matches them with the scholarships they qualify for. But Howard stressed that students need to answer thoroughly.

“It amazes me when I see students only answer three or four questions,” she said. “Are you first-gen? From a single-parent household? Involved in leadership? If you don’t answer it, we don’t know—and you’re missing out on money.”

Why it matters

In the past, Howard sometimes saw scholarships go unclaimed simply because students didn’t apply. “We had $2,500 awards with only two applicants,” she said. “Why would you fill out the FAFSA and then not take advantage of scholarships? It’s free, tax-free money.”

Those experiences shaped the way she approaches her work today. Over the years, Howard has taken it upon herself to track down students who qualified but hadn’t applied, to remind students about renewable awards, and to ensure every scholarship dollar found its way to the right recipient. She has built a reputation as both a steward of donor funds and a champion for students—helping them access opportunities they might not have realized were available.

FAFSA reminder

Howard also emphasized the importance of completing the FAFSA each year. “Many of our awards are need-based,” she said. “If you don’t file your FAFSA, you may knock yourself out of the running for scholarships you’d otherwise qualify for. The financial aid office is working hard to align the FAFSA rollout with our scholarship process so students can do both together.”

Additional key reminders

• Applications open October 1 and close November 30.
• Complete your profile fully to maximize your matches.
• Most CBA scholarships are included. A few scholarships, like Queller Leadership Scholars, remain outside the system. Keep an eye out for those opportunities.

Howard summed it up simply: “Don’t leave money on the table. Spend the time, answer the questions, and give yourself the chance. The payoff is absolutely worth it.”