Scholarships | Central Methodist University

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Scholarships
If you are a student who works hard toward academic success, you deserve to be recognized. At CMU, we will reward your efforts through our scholarship opportunities. Merit-based scholarships are granted to qualified incoming undergraduate Fayette campus students based on the academic record, GPA and/or ACT.
Students must be enrolled full time (12 hours or more) to be eligible for CMU or institutional scholarships and grants.
Fayette
|
Statewide/Online
|
Conditions
|
Outside
Fayette Campus Scholarships
Incoming Freshmen Students:
For both domestic and international students: merit-based scholarships vary from $16,000 to $8,000 and are based on cumulative GPA and/or ACT/SAT scores.
Freshmen Merit-Based Scholarships
Scholarship
Minimum Requirements
Annual Award
President's Scholarship
3.9 GPA or 29 ACT
$16,000
University Scholarship
3.5 GPA or 27 ACT
$14,000
Trustee's Scholarship
3.0 GPA or 24 ACT
$12,000
Alumni Scholarship
2.75 GPA or 22 ACT
$11,000
Dean's Scholarship
2.5-2.74 GPA and 21 ACT
OR
2.5 GPA and Committee Approval
$9,000
Eagle Scholarship
<2.5 GPA and <22 ACT (committee approval required for admission)
$8,000
*Students must be studying on the Fayette campus and enrolled full-time to receive a merit-based scholarship.
Transfer Students:
For both domestic and international students: merit-based scholarships are based on the number of transfer hours and the student's cumulative GPA.
Transfer Student Merit-Based Scholarships
Scholarship
Minimum Requirements
Annual Award
University Scholarship
3.9 GPA + 24 Credit Hours
$14,000
Trustee's Scholarship
3.5 GPA + 24 Credit Hours
$12,000
Alumni Scholarship
3.25 GPA + 24 Credit Hours
$11,000
Dean's Scholarship
3.0 GPA + 24 Credit Hours
$9,000
Central Scholarship
2.5 GPA + 24 Credit Hours
$8,000
Transfer Scholarship
<2.5 GPA + 24 Credit Hours (committee approval required for admission)
$7,000
*Students must be studying on the Fayette campus and enrolled full-time to receive a merit-based scholarship.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Gulstad Scholars Transfer Scholarship:
The undergraduate Gulstad Scholars Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students to transfer to and complete their bachelor's degrees at CMU in Fayette. Eligible students must be a current student at a community college, a sophomore with an anticipated graduation status,
at least half-time,
have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale, and must meet the housing policy guidelines set forth in the CMU student handbook. Students must be full-time, degree-seeking students on the Fayette campus to continue to receive the Gulstad scholarship. Scholarship proceeds will not exceed Institution costs determined after grants have been received.
Thogmorton Scholarship:
The Thogmorton Scholarship is a transfer scholarship awarded to students majoring in Nursing, OTA, and PTA, who have been accepted into their respective programs.
Half-tuition scholarships will increase with the cost of tuition each academic year. Students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be eligible for this award and must maintain a 2.0 to retain. The Thogmorton Scholarship may not be combined with other CMU scholarships.
United Methodist Half-Tuition Scholarship:
To qualify for the United Methodist Scholarship, a student must be an active United Methodist Church member in good standing with his or her local church for at least one year, which must be verified by the pastor.
Verification can be done by pastors using this form.
Check out the
UMC website
for other UMC scholarships.
Half-tuition scholarships will increase with the cost of tuition each academic year. Students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be eligible for this award and must maintain a 2.0 to retain. The United Methodist award may not be combined with other CMU scholarships.
Go Away to College Close to Home:
Central Methodist University Go Away to College Close to Home Program would offer a 50% tuition waiver to all non-cocurricular accepted
Howard, Calloway, Camden, Cooper, Saline, Audrain, Randolph, Chariton, Moniteau, Montgomery, Pettis, Morgan, Cole, Osage, Monroe, Ralls, and Boone County.
This scholarship applies to students who earned a minimum of a 2.75 GPA and are A+ eligible. Students may live on campus or at home with their parent or guardian (Adhering to all CMU Housing policies). This scholarship may not be combined with any other CMU scholarship offer.
RootED Alliance
: Several $10,000 rootED scholarships are available for graduating high school students and community college transfer students. rootED scholarship winners can double their money in a matching arrangement with CMU. Candidates must meet certain qualifications, click below to see if your school qualifies.
rooted high schools
Click below to apply for the rootED scholarship:
rooted high school application
Community college transfer students coming from East Central Community College, Ozark Technical Community College, State Fair Community College, or Three Rivers Community College are eligible to apply if they meet certain qualifications:
https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities/3356
Transfer Students
To be eligible to be considered for the RootEd scholarship you must:
Be a student transferring from a community college in Missouri, with plans to continue education at a bachelor’s degree granting institution
Have graduated from a rural Missouri high school in the past five years
Plan to attend full-time at an accredited, nonprofit college or university
Have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average
Demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or similar need calculations.
Students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) over $15,000 must have significant and extenuating circumstances to be considered.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship:
$1,000 scholarship available to transfer students that are a member of PTK. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Legacy Grant:
Students who have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who has graduated from CMU may be eligible for a $1,000 grant. The
Legacy Grant Form
should be submitted for certification.
Sibling Grant:
Students who have a sibling currently enrolled at CMU may be eligible for a $1,000 grant.
**Legacy and Sibling Grants may not be combined.
Scholarship Competitions
Marine Biology Day:
On March 21, 2026, you can learn all you want to know about one of our fastest-growing and popular majors, Marine Biology. In addition, you can find out more about our stackable $5,000 scholarships for the best of the best -- Scuba Diving Student of the Day; Sea Urchin Student of the Day; and Greg Thurmon Marine Biology Student of the Day. From talks about SCUBA certification to the diving trips our students take, you'll learn it all. You can check out our Urchin lab and experience other hands-on activities, talk to current students about course highlights and even job opportunities. Check back in early September when we announce the date and registration deadline.
Register Here
Central Scholars Competition:
The Central Scholars competition is an invitation only event for students in their senior year of high school. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 to be invited to participate. The competition is designed to recognize new traditional undergraduate students who exhibit high academic achievement and a service mindset.
Up to two Eagle Select full-tuition scholarships (fees, housing and meal plan not included), up to one Pre-Health Scholars full-tuition scholarship, and up to one Valedictorian full-tuition scholarship will be awarded (living on campus is required for full tuition winners).
The 2026 Central Scholars Competition will be held on February 21, 2026 on campus. Students who reside outside the state of Missouri may request to participate virtually.
Central's Got Talent Scholarship Competition:
February 19,
2026
.
Central’s Got Talent is an annual event for students in their senior year. Two full-tuition scholarships will be awarded after competition in Vocal, Instrumental, and Praise Band. Register for CGT below.
Center Stage
acting and theatre design competitions take place February 19, 2026. Register for Center Stage below. We will award major scholarships to the top three winners in each category. Upon application/registration, students may receive an invitation from the Office of Admissions to compete. The events are open to parents and families. They provide opportunities to see the campus and learn about financial aid, student services, and a variety of other helpful information.
Note: Full-tuition scholarship winners are required to live on campus.
Register Here
Participation Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to students participating in designated CMU activities. The scholarships vary in amount and require an audition, interview, or tryout with the appropriate activity director, coach, or faculty member. A student may combine only one participation scholarship and academic scholarship.
Varsity athletic scholarships may not be combined with any other scholarship.
Participation scholarships are available in athletic and non-athletic areas and are evaluated for each student individually on a yearly basis.
Athletics
Baseball
Dance
STUNT
Basketball - Men
eSports
Track and Field - Men
Basketball - Women
Football
Track and Field - Women
Bowling - Men
Golf - Men
Volleyball
Bowling - Women
Golf - Women
Wrestling - Men
Cross-Country - Men
Soccer - Men
Wrestling - Women
Cross-Country - Women
Soccer - Women
Cheer
Softball
Fine Arts
Instrumental Music
Color Guard
Vocal Music
Student Ministry
Theatre
Worship Band
Statewide/Online Scholarships
Gulstad Achievement Scholarship:
The Gulstad Achievement Scholarship is for students who want to study at one of CMU’s extended sites or online. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be enrolled
at least half-time
, have completed an associate's degree from a CMU partner community college, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship will be split between two semesters. The award amount received each semester is based on the number of hours enrolled in at CMU.
Scholarship proceeds will not exceed Institution costs determined after grants have been received
.
Please visit our
Gulstad Scholarship Application page
to learn more.
Conditions of Note
CMU academic scholarships are awarded to
full-time (12-18hrs)
incoming undergraduate CLAS students on the basis of a student's academic record of GPA and ACT scores.
Effective Fall 2022, all institutional scholarships are used for tuition and fees except for varsity athletic scholarships not to exceed cost of attendance.
Statewide/online students are eligible for CGES-only scholarships and are not eligible for Fayette campus institutional scholarships.
The generosity of alumni, friends, and churches allows Central the opportunity to offer aid to many of our students. These Hall of Sponsors and Endowed Scholarships underwrite most of the institutional scholarships that CMU awards. The institutional scholarship package that an incoming freshman or transfer student accepts prior to the beginning of the first school year with CMU is the scholarship that the student will receive for up to 10 semesters of matriculation at the University, provided that they maintain the appropriate GPA required for their scholarship. The exception to this statement is the amount of award a student can receive for participation in athletics or talent programs can be adjusted to reflect performance or participation.
Institutional aid may be reduced if assistance is received by third parties. Students with half-tuition, full-tuition, or varsity scholarships are not eligible for any other institutional scholarships.
Scholarship proceeds will not exceed Institution costs determined after grants have been received
.
Full-tuition scholarships and outside scholarships cannot exceed the cost of tuition for the academic year.
Any scholarship changes or additions need to be made prior to initial awarding. Students must notify admissions, prior to being admitted, of any scholarship qualifications.
Students approved for off-campus living may only receive institutional awards totaling up to full tuition, general fees, up to $1,000 for books, and a meal plan or $1,000 declining meal plan per semester.
Outside Scholarship Leads
Scholarship Search Engines:
Scholarship Central:
https://myscholarshipcentral.org/
Scholarship Owl:
https://scholarshipowl.com/
Scholarships 360:
https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/missouri-scholarships/
Scholarship America:
https://scholarshipamerica.org/students/browse-scholarships/
College Express:
https://www.collegexpress.com/
Appily:
https://www.appily.com/
College Board:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
Fast Web:
https://www.fastweb.com/
Scholarships:
https://www.scholarships.com/
Scholly:
https://www.sallie.com/scholarships/scholly?utm_source=scholly&utm_medium=web
Niche:
https://www.niche.com/?ref=colleges
Church Based Scholarships:
*Missouri United Methodist Foundation:
https://mumf.org/students/undergraduate-scholarships/
Higher Education & Ministry:
https://www.gbhem.org/scholarships/
Church Jobs Online:
https://churchjobsonline.com/scholarship
*This program involves matching support from a student’s church, UMHEF, participating United Methodist-related schools, and participating UMC conference foundations.
Note: The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation has stated that some state conferences can choose whether to participate or be selective on the students receiving the match for the state Dollars 4 Scholars.
Here's how it works:
You may apply for both the General Named Endowed Scholarship and UMDFS program through UMHEF and we will provide you with the largest scholarship support for which you qualify.
Student’s church supports with $1,000 (on a church check sent to UMHEF) UMHEF will match that $1,000 Participating United Methodist-related schools will match with $1,000 Participating UMC Conference Foundations may match up to $1,000 Your potential UMDFS scholarship total is up to $4,000 You must apply annually to be awarded a scholarship each school year
Dollars for Scholars Application:
https://umhef.org/scholarships/umdfs/
Note: Some exceptions may apply to the CMU match based on the CMU scholarship policy.
Scholarship for Students in Rural Areas:
Foundation For Rural service:
https://www.frs.org/programs/youth-programs/scholarships
FFA:
https://www.ffa.org/financial-assistance/#Scholarships
Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship:
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/26271/grow-ag-leaders-scholarship
Nursing Specific:
Nursing Schools Almanac:
https://www.nursingschoolsalmanac.com/articles/2018-rn-bsn-scholarship
Registered Nursing:
https://www.registerednursing.org/scholarships-grants-available-to-nursing-students/?fbclid=IwAR1SuzjtqTtU5_2BX0ngUriMkkPbIuE091x9AqTEgC12Xs16WYzVZroQzbk
Rural Health
Information
Hub:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/scholarships-loans-loan-repayment/healthcare-students
CNA Classes:
https://www.cnaclasses.com/scholarship/
Individual Scholarship Sites:
Missouri Council of the Blind:
https://moblind.org/educational-scholarship/
The Therman Law Offices Scholarship:
https://www.attorneychicago.com/resources/therman-law-offices-scholarship/
Jack J Isgur Foundation:
https://www.isgur.org/
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship:
https://www.michaelmoodyfitness.com/student-scholarship-chicago/
Nix Patterson Scholarship Program:
https://nixlaw.com/scholarships/
The Big Sun Scholarships:
https://www.bigsunathletics.com/
The Career Fit Test:
https://www.careerfittest.com/scholarship/
Red Cross:
https://www.fastweb.com/
The Gates Scholarship:
https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation:
https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/
Graduate Students:
Top Graduate Student Scholarships:
https://www.sallie.com/scholarships/types/graduate-students?utm_source=slmcom&utm_medium=web
Other Places to Look for Scholarships
:
Local
Businesses
Local Churches
Local Banks
MFA
CMAS
Legions Halls
VFWs
Cities or Town Specific Scholarships
Note: CMU has vetted the list of outside scholarships as best as we can. We have also provided a couple helpful links on knowing if a scholarship is legit and financial in general.
How to know if a Scholarship is Legit:
https://finaid.org/scholarships/scams/
Helpful Financial Aid Site:
https://finaid.org/
877-CMU-1854
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