Central Michigan University Scholarships for International Students
Central Michigan University (CMU) offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international students seeking to finance their education. These scholarships vary in requirements, benefits, and application processes, aiming to support students with academic merit, leadership skills, and dedication to community engagement. CMU is committed to helping students finance their education and reach their academic goals.
Understanding the Costs
Before diving into scholarship opportunities, it’s crucial to understand the costs associated with studying at CMU. The figures provided are estimates for expenses like tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and required health insurance.
For international undergraduates, the estimated costs for an academic year (9 months) are as follows:
- Tuition & Fees: \$21,450 (based on a 24-credit-hour per year undergraduate class load)
- Housing & Food: \$12,902 (based on living in on-campus housing with a meal plan; incoming freshmen are required to live on campus for the first two years)
- Miscellaneous Expenses: \$3,500 (includes books, incidentals, and personal expenses)
- Health Insurance: \$1,550
- Total: \$39,402
These estimates do not include the cost of living and studying during the summer. Students need to ensure they have additional funds for tuition, fees, living expenses, and miscellaneous expenses if they plan to study during the summer. It's important to note that these rates are estimates and subject to change.
The United States government requires that Central Michigan University obtains verification of financial support from all students requesting Certificates of Eligibility (I-20s). F-1 students are required to take a full-time course load (12 credits for undergraduates) each fall and spring semester.
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Merit-Based Scholarships for International Undergraduates
CMU automatically considers international students for merit-based scholarships when they apply. These scholarships recognize academic achievement and potential.
International Scholar Award
This award provides \$4,000 per year for four years, and eligibility requirements include:
- A minimum high school GPA (e.g., 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)
International Opportunity Award
This award offers \$1,000 per year for four years, and eligibility requirements are similar to those of the International Scholar Award:
- A minimum high school GPA (e.g., 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Minimum of 24 college credit hours completed (incoming transfer students only)
Competitive Scholarships for New Freshmen
CMU offers competitive scholarships for incoming degree-seeking freshmen, awarded based on factors such as academic success, community engagement, leadership, and multiculturalism. These require a separate application with deadlines different from the merit awards. Applications for students entering Fall 2025 open on August 1, 2024.
Centralis Scholarship
Degree-seeking international high school seniors may be eligible for the Centralis Scholarship, one of CMU’s most prestigious competitive scholarships. 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.
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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.
Centralis Gold Scholarship
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.
Effective Fall 2015, the Centralis-Gold Scholarship will pay 12 credits of tuition at the beginning of the semester.
Leader Advancement Scholarship
The Leader Advancement Scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school seniors who have distinguished themselves through leadership and service. This scholarship recognizes dedication to the advancement of underrepresented groups in America. Recipients are selected by a committee through the analysis of the scholarship application and a portfolio record of activities completed by the student.
Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction
The Multicultural Advancement Award of Distinction is awarded to high school graduates for their dedication to the advancement of underrepresented groups in America.
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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.
Scholarships for Transfer Students
New transfer students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. One such scholarship is the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
This scholarship provides \$1,000 per year / \$3,000 over three years and is available to new transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members with at least a 3.5 cumulative college GPA and 12 earned credits. It can be combined with the Transfer Honors and Recognition scholarships. It can be renewed for up to three years by maintaining full-time enrollment and earning at least 30 new CMU credit hours each academic year (fall, spring and summer if needed). Third-year renewal requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 30 new CMU credits earned each academic year (fall, spring and summer if needed).
Scholarships for International Graduate Students
Out-of-State Tuition Merit Award
The Out-of-State Tuition Merit Award is available for international graduate students who meet specific requirements. Students who meet all the requirements will be eligible to receive the domestic tuition rate.
Additional Ways to Finance Your Education
Graduate Assistantships
Academic departments provide graduate research, teaching, and administrative assistantships. Each graduate assistant works for an individual department or another approved unit within the university. In return, the student receives tuition waivers and stipends. Both full-time and part-time graduate assistantships are available for international students. Students must apply directly with the department that houses their academic program after they have been admitted.
Campus Employment
Working on campus is another way for international students to earn money while studying at CMU. International students are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week. The U.S. government prohibits international students from working outside the university. You can apply to jobs after you arrive on campus and obtain the necessary work permits.
External Scholarships
Many scholarships are offered by non-university affiliated community and private organizations such as fraternal organizations, civic or religious groups, professional or governmental organizations, or private foundations. These scholarships are usually awarded based on academic merit or some special talent, such as athletic or musical ability. Information about outside scholarships can be found by using free scholarship searches on the internet and researching scholarships available in your local area.
Advice for searching for scholarships:
- Do not pay to apply for a scholarship.
- Do not pay for any kind of “processing” fee.
- Begin your scholarship search a year before you’ll need it.
- Be careful about providing private information.
- Check with your school guidance department and local organizations.
- Search the internet.
Scholarship Universe
Scholarship Universe is a service that matches you with a wide variety of 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.
General Scholarship Renewal Requirements
To maintain eligibility for many scholarships, students must meet certain renewal requirements, which may include:
- Enrolling full-time (12 credit hours) for both fall and spring semesters.
- Earning at least 30 new credits at CMU each year throughout fall, spring, and summer semesters (excluding I, Z, or E grades, CLEP, AP, IB, and dual-enrolled credits).
- Maintaining a minimum CMU cumulative GPA (often 3.0) at the end of each academic year.
- Residing on campus during the first and second academic years (for some scholarships).
- Remaining enrolled and retaining admission to CMU's Mt. Pleasant campus.
Additional Information about CMU
CMU offers over 200 programs in business, engineering, health sciences, education, and more. The campus is lively, with over 300 student clubs and activities. The Office of International Students and Scholar Services provides support for visas, orientation, and cultural activities. CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, a friendly small town with parks and lakes nearby, and larger cities like Lansing just a drive away.
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