Criteria: merit based; US domestic residents; members of the current year's graduating high school class; recommended by a high school teacher by mid-October of senior year.
Curriculum: any baccalaureate curriculum.
Value for Michigan Residents: regular full-time tuition, room and board, and $1,000 to put towards fees and other expenses.
Value for Non-Michigan Residents: regular full-time non-resident tuition
More Information
Leading scholar awards are offered to incoming students with exemplary leadership attributes and outstanding scholarly achievement.
The opportunity: This scholarship program is open to first-year students enrolling in fall 2013. As a part of the selection process, approximately 40 finalists will be invited to campus in December for the final portion of the competition. During this opportunity students will visit with University administrators, faculty, and students.
The resident value: Three Michigan resident students will be awarded scholarships equivalent to regular full-time tuition, plus room and board and $1,000 to put towards fees and other expenses each year. In addition, 27 in-state students will receive $8,000 per year.
The out-of-state value: Three out-of-state students will receive a value equivalent to regular full-time out-of-state tuition. In addition, 7 out-of-state students will receive $17,000 per year. Alumni Legacy Awardees will receive an award equivalent to regular full-time resident tuition if selected as one of the three full value awardees or an $8,000 per year award as one of the seven out-of-state students.
Number of awards: Six students are chosen for each incoming freshman class. All other Michigan finalists who participate in the program in December will receive an $8,000 Presidential Leading Scholars Scholarship, renewable for four years. Non-Michigan participating finalists will receive a $17,000 National Leading Scholar Scholarship.
Length and Renewal Criteria: The awards are for four years (eight semesters). Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.25 cumulative Grade Point Average to have the award renewed for the second, third, and fourth years. Recipients receiving an $8,000 or $17,000 scholarship must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.50 for renewal. Continuous full-time undergraduate enrollment and acceptable social behavior must also be maintained. Students must live in the University's residence halls for their first and second academic years to maintain this scholarship. Students graduating from high schools within Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga counties (and have commuter status) are exempt from the residence hall requirement.
Qualifications: The awards are made to superior students who have demonstrated extremely high academic achievement and potential for excellence in any program of study that is available at Michigan Tech.
Deadline for nominations: October 15th, 2012.
Who Should Apply: Academically talented high school seniors with leadership experience are encouraged to apply. In general, applicants should meet the following academic guidelines:
- 3.30 or higher cumulative GPA at time of application (on a 4.00 scale).
- ACT composite score of 23 or higher or an SAT combined critical reading plus math score of 1070 or higher.
Determination of Award: Selection of finalists will be made by the University Scholarship Committee by November 15. Award recipients will be selected by January 1.
If you have questions regarding the Michigan Tech Leading Scholar Award, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 1-888-688-1885.
Application Procedure
- Apply for admission to Michigan Tech, which is free, and super easy if submitted online. If you've already applied for admission, go to step 2.
- Using this PDF as your guide, write a one page essay on the following topic: "Leaders have the ability to ask outstanding questions that make people think and inspire action. What question do you feel you should answer for this scholarship application? Tell us your question, and provide your answer. There is no wrong answer (or question), so have fun--and don't be afraid to think outside the box." If you are unable to save the PDF and would rather use a word document, please use this one.
- Using this form, gather one recommendation from a high school teacher or other nominator. Don't forget this step! If you are unable to save the PDF and would rather use a word document, please use this one.
- Submit your essay and recommendation for our review by emailing both items to leadingscholars@mtu.edu in the same email, our preference is that they're mailed together. However, if, for confidentiality and authenticity the teacher or counselor would prefer to email the nomination separately, they may certainly do so.
Alternately, nominations and essays may be faxed to the Michigan Tech Financial Aid Office at 1-906-487-3042.