Whether your students are submitting their first college application or starting at a community college with aspirations of transferring to Central Michigan University, this page is designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to help them succeed.

Explore CMU: We invite students to experience #LifeAtCentral firsthand by touring our classrooms, labs and residence halls. Can't make it in person? No problem! Dive into our virtual tour for an immersive glimpse into campus life.

Apply to CMU: Applications open Aug. 1 prior to your students' senior year. Applications received by Dec. 1 receive priority consideration for merit scholarships.

Finding financial aid: From earning college credits in high school to earning merit and competitive scholarships for college, CMU offers many opportunities to reduce the cost of college. Your students might be pleasantly surprised by the support they receive.

Here you'll find everything you need to know - from dates and deadlines to how to submit materials and our test policy - to help your students find success at CMU.

Explore CMU

Our students graduate with hands-on experience in the lab, on the stage and in the studio. They conduct research with professors, earn experience with internships and lead in student organizations across campus. They build an impressive resume with real-world credentials before they even graduate.

Did you know 94.9% of CMU graduates are employed, pursuing additional education or engaged in volunteer service within six months of graduation?

Take a virtual tour

Explore CMU from anywhere. Take a virtual walk across campus and through many academic facilities.

Launch Experience

Michigan Assured Admission Pact

As high school counselors, you play a pivotal role in guiding students through their post-secondary options. A significant opportunity to be aware of is the Michigan Assured Admission Pact. This program offers a guaranteed spot at Central Michigan University for students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Central Career Guarantee

We know students often have questions about what happens after college and as a high school counselor, you can let them know CMU has them covered. At CMU, they'll get all the experiences and support they need to graduate with confidence. If they're eligible and opt in to the Central Career Guarantee, we'll guarantee they'll have a job offer or be accepted to grad school within six months of CMU graduation.*

*Eligibility, terms and conditions apply.

Apply to CMU

Admission criteria

  • 4 years of English, mathematics, biological and physical sciences and history and social sciences
  • 2 years of foreign language (encouraged)
  • 2 years of fine arts (encouraged)
  • 1 year of hands-on computer experience (encouraged)

Important application information

Application requirements and materials

Our application opens on Aug. 1 and priority consideration for scholarships is given to students who apply by Dec. 1. Students can apply through our application or CommonApp. 

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be used for admission and merit scholarship consideration. Students can upload these in their applicant portal when they apply.

Final official transcripts must be submitted by the school prior to a student's enrollment. We do not accept copies or hand-delivered transcripts for this purpose. Final transcripts may be sent through parchment.com, by email to apply@cmich.edu, or by mail to: 

Central Michigan University
Transcript Department
802 Industrial Drive
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

ACT/SAT scores (optional)

We are currently a test-optional institution. Students can earn admission and even merit scholarships on GPA alone. However, submitting test scores may enhance a student’s likelihood of being admitted or earning a higher scholarship. Submitting test scores will only ever increase a student’s merit award, never lower it. 

Application fee

Students must pay a $40 Application fee upon submitting their application. If you think your student qualifies for an application fee waiver, please send it to apply@cmich.edu.

For more information on applying, please visit our How to Apply page. If you have an early middle college student, learn about the process by viewing the Guidance for Early Middle College page.

Finding financial aid

All U.S. residents pay in-state tuition, no matter what state they call home.

    CMU offers up to 30 credit hours of tuition-free attendance per year for those with an adjusted gross income and family assets of $65,000 or less.

    CMU Tuition Advantage info

    The Michigan Achievement Scholarship program is free money from the State of Michigan to lower the cost of a student's college tuition by thousands of dollars per year. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship makes college affordable to more students, increases Michigan's homegrown talent pool and moves the state closer to Governor Whitmore's goal of increasing the number of Michigan adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 60% by 2030.

    Michigan Achievement Scholarship

    Student who apply to CMU are automatically considered for our Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarships. No additional application or essay is required. Encourage students to submit their application by Dec. 1 for priority consideration for these scholarships.

    In addition to merit-based scholarships, students may earn even more aid by applying for competitive scholarships. Awards are based on a variety of factors, including academic success, community engagement, leadership, enhancing diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion and more. These awards require a separate application and have application deadlines different from merit awards.

    To see a full break-down of the cost of attending, view our cost, aid and scholarship page designed specifically for incoming freshman.

    Cost, aid and scholarships