Scholarships for Continuing Students

Talent, athletic and departmental scholarships

Privately funded endowments provide supplemental funding to students based on need, academic focus, career aspirations or other criteria. Most of the endowed scholarships awarded by CMU departments are awarded to returning students with established, CMU grade point averages and/or signed majors. A limited number of CMU departments do, however, offer scholarships to new students; these scholarships are awarded based on departmental criteria. A Departmental Scholarship Listing is available. Students should check with the academic department regarding scholarship application procedures.

Talent scholarships are awarded to students participating in co-curricular activities in Music, Speech and Dramatic Arts and Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts; the Athletic Department awards athletic aid according to NCAA guidelines; and, the Military Science Department offers scholarships to students participating in ROTC. Students should contact the academic department for more information.

CMU Merit Scholarship renewal​​ fall 2024 and beyond

CMU merit scholarship(s) recipients are awarded their scholarships prior to enrollment. In order to renew to the following years, the following criteria must be met: 

1. A student must be enrolled and remain enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) each semester as a degree-seeking student. Waitlisted courses do not count toward official enrollment.
2. Students must earn 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year. Courses from other institutions, I, Z, and E grades as well as CLEP, AP, IB and dual-enrolled credits do not count toward the 30 new CMU credit hours.
3. Students must reside on-campus freshman and sophomore years unless granted a housing exception.
4. Merit scholarships are renewable for three consecutive years (8 semesters total) or to the point where the student has completed degree requirements for their first bachelor's degree; whichever comes first. Undergraduate students who graduate in less than 8 semesters forfeit their remaining scholarship eligibility.
5. Students must maintain a cumulative CMU GPA of 3.00 at the end of the second academic year. Scholarship renewal will be reviewed on an annual basis at the end of each spring semester.
6. If a student chooses to attend another college or university or withdraws from CMU, the scholarship is forfeited.
7. If a student accepts a CMU scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance, the higher award takes the place of all other scholarships. Subsequently, if a student does not meet the renewal criteria for the scholarship that covers full cost, or decides not to continue with that scholarship program, they cannot "reclaim" the other scholarship.
8. Students in their final year may appeal to receive their scholarship. Please note, if you are below full time status, your scholarship renewal will be based on actual enrolled credits.
9. Students must maintain good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
10. A student must be degree-seeking.

CMU Merit Scholarship renewal​​ fall 2019 to spring 2024

CMU merit scholarship(s) recipients are awarded their scholarships prior to enrollment. The Maroon and Gold Scholarship will be awarded at a percent based off the cost of 30 credits, not actual credit load. In order to renew to the following years, the following criteria must be met:

1. A student must be enrolled and remain enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) each semester as a degree-seeking student. Waitlisted courses do not count toward official enrollment.
2. Students must earn 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year. Courses from other institutions, I, Z, and E grades as well as CLEP, AP, IB and dual-enrolled credits do not count toward the 30 new CMU credit hours.
3. Students must reside on-campus freshman and sophomore years unless granted a housing exception.
4. Merit scholarships are renewable for three consecutive years (8 semesters total) or to the point where the student has completed degree requirements for their first bachelor's degree; whichever comes first. Undergraduate students who graduate in less than 8 semesters forfeit their remaining scholarship eligibility.
5. Students must maintain a cumulative CMU GPA of 3.00 at the end of the second academic year. Scholarship renewal will be reviewed on an annual basis at the end of each spring semester.
6. If a student chooses to attend another college or university or withdraws from CMU, the scholarship is forfeited.
7. If a student accepts a CMU scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance, the higher award takes the place of all other scholarships. Subsequently, if a student does not meet the renewal criteria for the scholarship that covers full cost, or decides not to continue with that scholarship program, they cannot "reclaim" the other scholarship.
8. Students in their final year may appeal to receive their scholarship. Please note, if you are below full time status, your scholarship renewal will be based on actual enrolled credits.
9. Students must maintain good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
10. A student must be degree-seeking.

CMU Merit Scholarship renewal​​ fall 2014 to spring 2019

CMU merit scholarship(s) recipients must meet the following criteria for renewal:

1. A student must be enrolled and remain enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) each semester as a degree-seeking student. Waitlisted courses do not count toward official enrollment.
2. Students must earn 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year (excluding the summer semester). I, Z, and E grades and CLEP, AP, IB and dual-enrolled credits do not count toward the 30 new CMU credit hours.
3. Merit scholarships are renewable for three consecutive years (8 semesters total) or to the point where the student has completed degree requirements for their first bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Undergraduate students who graduate in less than eight semesters forfeit their remaining scholarship eligibility.
4. Students must reside on-campus during their freshman and sophomore years unless granted an exception.
5. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 at CMU. Scholarship renewal will be reviewed on an annual basis at the end of each spring semester.
6. If a student chooses to attend another college or university or withdraws from CMU, the scholarship is forfeited.
7. If a student accepts a CMU scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance, the higher award takes the place of all other scholarships. Subsequently, if a student does not meet the renewal criteria for the scholarship that covers full cost, or decides not to continue with that scholarship program, they cannot "reclaim" the other scholarship.
   

Centralis Scholarship Program​

​Centralis Scholar Award

The monetary value of this scholarship is equal to the co​st of tuition (up to 33 credits per academic year), fees, room and board, and a $500 allowance toward the cost of books and supplies. The scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided renewal criteria are met (determined by the Honors Program).

Learn more about Centralis Scholar Award

Note: Effective Fall 2015, the Centralis-Scholar Scholarship will pay 12 credits of tuition along with the room & board and $250 book stipend at the beginning of the semester. The remaining credits that students are enrolled in for the semester (up to 36 total credits) will be paid by the Centralis-Scholar Scholarship the week after drop/add has ended.

Centralis Gold Award

The value of this scholarship is equal to the cost of tuition (up to 33 credits per academic year). The scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided renewal criteria are met (determined by the Honors Program).

Learn more about Centralis Gold Award

Note: Effective Fall 2015, the Centralis-Gold Scholarship will pay 12 credits of tuition at the beginning of the semester. The remaining credits that students are enrolled in for the semester (up to 36 total credits) will be paid by the Centralis-Gold Scholarship the week after the drop/add has ended.

Note: Recipients may not receive a Centralis Scholarship with the Leadership or Multicultural Advancement Scholarships due to the extensive academic requirements of each Scholarship Program.

Centralis Maroon Award

The Centralis Maroon Award is a $5000 one-time stipend to study away ( in addition to earned merit award). Students receiving this award will be part of the Honors Program. The Maroon award can be combined with the "Maroon and Gold Merit Recognition Award."

Learn more about Centralis Maroon Award

Note: Recipients may not receive a Centralis Scholarship with the Leadership or Multicultural Advancement Scholarships due to the extensive academic requirements of each Scholarship Program.

Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship

Renewal requirements for years 1 and 2

• Enroll and remain enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) for both fall and spring semesters.
• Earn at least 30 new credits at CMU each year throughout fall, spring and summer semesters (does not include I, Z, or E grades nor CLEP, AP, IB, and dual-enrolled credits).
• Reside on campus your first and second academic years.
• Maintain enrollment at Mt. Pleasant campus.
• Be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. 

Renewal requirements for years 3 and 4

• Have a minimum CMU cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of your second and third years.
• Enroll and remain enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) for both fall and spring semesters.
• Earn at least 30 new CMU credits each year throughout fall, spring and summer (does not include I, Z, or E grades nor CLEP, AP, IB, and dual-enrolled credits).
• Maintain enrollment at Mt. Pleasant campus.
• Be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

CMU Leader Advancement Scholarship Program

Leader Advancement scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding Michigan high school seniors who have distinguished themselves through a record of leadership in their schools and communities. Recipients are selected by a committee through the analysis of the scholarship application and a portfolio record of activities completed by the student. Competitors must have a minimum, cumulative high school GPA of 3.00. The value of the scholarship is $2000 per academic year and is renewable for three additional consecutive years if a 2.75 cumulative GPA and full-time continuous enrollment are maintained.

Learn more about Scholarships for Leaders

CMU ​Lloyd M. Cofer and Multicultural Advancement Scholarships

The Lloyd M. Cofer scholarship is awarded annually to deserving incoming freshmen who are graduates of a Detroit public high school. The Multicultural Advancement Scholarship is awarded to high school graduates who through past activities or educational aspirations indicate an interest in the advancement of underrepresented groups in American society. The value of these scholarships is $4,125 per academic year. The Cofer and Multicultural Advancement scholarships are renewable for three additional years for recipients if a 2.50 cumulative GPA, full-time continuous enrollment, and successful completion of at least 24 new credit hours per year are maintained.

The Multicultural​ Advancement Awards of Distinction is also awarded each year. The value of this scholarship is $10,500 per academic year to be used toward the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies. The scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years if a 3.25 cumulative GPA, full-time continuous enrollment, and successful completion of at least 30 new credit hours per year are maintained.

Learn more about Lloyd M. Cofer scholarship

Transfer Centralis Scholarship

The Transfer Centralis Scholarship requires the successful completion of 30 CMU credits to be completed each year (between fall, spring, and summer semesters). Students must maintain a CMU GPA of 3.25 and must follow the CMU Honor Track II protocol.

Transfer Honors Scholarship

All new transfer students entering CMU with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and a minimum of 24 transferable credits are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship.  This scholarship is renewable for up to three years.  Award renewal requires earning 30 new CMU credits between fall, spring and summer semesters.  Third-year renewal requires a cumulative CMU GPA of 3.0 and another 30 new CMU credits in the academic year.  This award cannot be combined with the Transfer Recognition Scholarship. 

Transfer Recognition Scholarship

Academic Prestige Award

​This scholarship honors high school students who have a 3.25 cumulative GPA and an ACT composite score of 27 or higher. The scholarship is awarded to new freshmen who meet eligibility requirements. The scholarship is renewable for 3 consecutive years if a 3.25 cumulative GPA and successful completion of 30 new credit hours is maintained.

Academic Excellence Award

This scholarship honors high school students who have a 3.00 cumulative GPA and an ACT composite score of 23 or higher. The scholarship is renewable for 3 consecutive years if a 3.25 cumulative GPA and successful completion of 30 new credit hours is maintained.

Academic Success Award

This scholarship honors high school students who have a 3.00 cumulative GPA and an ACT composite score of 21 or 22. The scholarship is renewable for 3 consecutive years if a 3.25 cumulative GPA and successful completion of 30 new credit hours is maintained.

Native American Advancement Award​

The Native American Advancement Award is awarded to one new freshman each year. The award is for $3,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years. The award can be applied to tuition, fees, books, and/or room and board. See other Native American resources.

Learn more about Resources and Scholarships

Additional CMU scholarships for continuing students

• ROTC Scholarships (Reserve Officers Training Corps)​
• CMU Online Scholarships
• CMU Alumni Association

CMU scholarships for international students

• International Admissions

Continuing student scholarships are awarded for the next academic year up front as an estimate. Once the spring and summer terms are over, eligibility will be assessed to determine if meeting renewal requirements for the scholarship(s). Learn more about renewal requirements by viewing our Scholarship Policies page. 

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