Scholarships for New Students
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 and entering college as freshmen that fall are eligible for the following awards.
Merit scholarships
Our Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarships reward incoming degree-seeking 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.
Updated transcripts must be submitted before your first semester at CMU begins, to qualify for any scholarship increase. Scholarships will not increase after the start of the first academic term or semester that you enroll.
| 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 |
Students will be re-evaluated for a higher scholarship after submitting updated transcripts and/or test scores. Updated materials may result in a higher scholarship but not a lower one.
Renewal requirements for years 1 and 2
- Enroll 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 during your first and second academic years.
- Must be enrolled and retain admission to CMU's Mt. Pleasant campus.
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 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).
- Must be enrolled and retain admission to CMU's Mt. Pleasant campus.
Competitive awards for new freshmen
Our competitive scholarships for incoming degree-seeking 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 2025 open on August 1, 2024.
You may not receive a full tuition or tuition and housing/food scholarships with another merit-based scholarship.
Visit our Scholarship Policies page for more information on all outlined policies.
Centralis Scholar Award
The monetary value of this scholarship is equal to the cost 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).
- Applications are due November 1st, 2024.
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 33 total credits) will be paid by the Centralis-Scholar Scholarship the week after drop/add has ended.
Centralis Gold Award
The Centralis Gold 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).
- Applications are due November 1st, 2024.
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 33 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.
Leader Advancement Scholarship
Leader Advancement scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding 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.
- 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 Scholarships
The Lloyd M. Cofer scholarship is awarded annually to deserving incoming freshmen who are graduates of a Detroit public high school.
- $4,125 per year.
- Renewable for three additional years for recipients if a 2.50 cumulative GPA and successful completion of at least 24 new CMU credits are earned per year.
- Applications are due January 15, 2024.
Multicultural Advancement Scholarship
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.
- $4,125 per academic year.
- 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.
Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction
The Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction is awarded to a few select high school graduates for their dedication to the advancement of underrepresented groups in America.
- Covers 100% of tuition and fees (up to 33 credits per academic year), housing and food, and a $250 book allowance per semester.
- Renewable for an additional three 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 January 15, 2024.
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.
Scholarships for Michigan high school graduates
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship program is free money from the State of Michigan to lower the cost of your college tuition by thousands of dollars per year. In fact, new 2023 MI high school graduates could receive up to $5,500 in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship starting with the 2023-2024 academic year!
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.
Click here for further information on our Cost of Attendance.