The Leading Scholar program awards various levels of scholarships recognizing the leadership skills and academic success of applicants. While a select number of applicants will be invited to campus for a one-day event and opportunity to be selected for one of three scholarships—including the full-value scholarship—other select applicants will be awarded the Distinguished Leader Award based solely on their application materials.
Select finalists who attend one of the on-campus events will be awarded a full-value scholarship. The Leading Scholar Award will replace any previously awarded merit-based scholarship through the Presidential or National Scholars Program.
Award Value:
Michigan resident: full tuition, housing and food, and $1,000 stipend (approximately $31,800) per year.
Non-Michigan resident: full non-resident tuition (approximately $41,000) per year.
Non-resident Alumni Legacy and Military Family Education awardees who are selected to receive the full-value Leading Scholar Award will receive a scholarship equivalent to regular full-time resident tuition.
Renewal Criteria: The awards are renewable for four years (eight semesters) provided recipients maintain a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average. Continuous, regular, full-time undergraduate enrollment (12-credits or more) 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.
Awarded to select finalists who attend one of the on-campus events. The Leading Scholar Distinguished Finalist Award is awarded on top of any previously awarded merit-based scholarship through the Presidential or National Scholars Program.
Award Value: $4,500 per year
Renewal Criteria: The award is renewable for four years (eight semesters) provided recipients maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average. Continuous, regular, full-time undergraduate enrollment (12-credits or more) and acceptable social behavior must also be maintained.
Awarded to select finalists who attend one of the on-campus events. The Leading Scholar Commended Finalist Award is awarded on top of any previously awarded merit-based scholarship through the Presidential or National Scholars Program.
Award Value: $2,000 per year
Renewal Criteria: The award is renewable for four years (eight semesters) provided recipients maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average. Continuous, regular, full-time undergraduate enrollment (12-credits or more) and acceptable social behavior must also be maintained.
Awarded to select Leading Scholar applicants on top of any previously awarded merit-based scholarship through the Presidential or National Scholars Program.
Award Value: Variable
Renewal Criteria: The award is renewable for four years (eight semesters) provided recipients maintain
a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average. Continuous, regular, full-time undergraduate
enrollment (12-credits or more) and acceptable social behavior must also be maintained.