CMU Traditions Program
The CMU Traditions Program uses a combination of federal, state and institutional aid to provide funding equivalent to the cost of tuition (30 credit hours) and mandatory fees for incoming first-time college students or transfer students who are Michigan residents, have a combined student and family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and have family assets of $50,000 or less, and meet the eligibility requirements. The CMU Traditions Program covers eligible tuition and student service fees for new first-time college students. This financial aid offer is a continuation of CMU’s history of making a first-class education and career opportunities accessible to Michigan families.
How does Traditions work?
CMU will ensure the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring) is covered through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid.
How do I qualify?
- You must be an undergraduate degree-seeking freshman or transfer student newly admitted to CMU's main campus located in Mount Pleasant, MI.
- You and your parent must be a Michigan resident.
- As reported on the FAFSA, the family adjusted gross income (AGI) equal to or less than $50,000. This will combine both your AGI and your parent(s) AGI to calculate the family AGI.
- As reported on the FAFSA, the family assets must be equal to or less than $50,000. This will combine both your assets and your parent(s) assets to calculate the family assets.
- You must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours or more for each semester).
How do I renew into the future?
- You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- You must file a FAFSA annually.
- You must continue to meet the family AGI and asset requirements as outlined above.
If the criteria above are met, the CMU Traditions Program is renewable for an additional three years (freshman) and an additional 2 years (transfers) or until the first bachelor's degree is earned.
What is covered?
The CMU Traditions Program guarantees that you will have a combination of federal, state, and institutional gift and grant aid that at least covers the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credit hours in the fall and 15 credit hours in the spring). If you qualify for aid in other resources that equate to more than the cost of tuition, that can be used to cover your other costs.
What expenses are not covered?
The CMU Traditions Program only ensures that the cost of 30 credit hours and mandatory fees ($450 student service fee) are provided through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid. The student is responsible for additional costs such as housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, study abroad, and other miscellaneous student expenses.
How will I know if I qualify for Traditions?
When reviewing your offered financial aid, add up the grants and scholarships from federal, state, and institutional sources to determine if the cost is equivalent to 30 credit hours for fall and spring terms. Still unsure? Give the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid a call and we would be happy to work with you in that determination.
Will Traditions cover my summer term?
The CMU Traditions Program was designed to meet the cost of tuition and mandatory fee for the fall and spring term. Summer term is not eligible. This is true even if you did not use the full cost of the program in fall and spring term (such as if you were not enrolled in the fall).
Will I qualify if I enroll less than full-time?
No, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits, each semester (fall and spring semesters), to qualify for the CMU Traditions Program.
Are CMU Online students eligible?
No. Only new undergraduate degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students admitted to CMU's main campus are eligible for the program.
Am I required to live on-campus?
All first-time college students are required to live on campus their freshman and sophomore years at CMU. If you continue to qualify for the award in your junior and senior year, there is no on-campus housing requirement included with the CMU Traditions program.
The income I reported on the FAFSA is no longer accurate. What can I do?
No worries. We have a special circumstances process in place to review changes in household income, divorce, death of a parent, etc. For more information, please click on the box below for next steps.
Are second bachelor's degree seeking students eligible?
No. Only students seeking their first bachelor's degrees qualify.
Will my outside scholarships impact my other aid?
Your total financial aid award and outside resources may not exceed your total cost of attendance. If you are awarded up to the cost of attendance, your outside scholarship award(s) will be used to reduce or eliminate your student loan awards before any adjustments to other awards are made.