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First-Year Students

Presidential Scholarship Competition

Register today for the Presidential Scholarship Competition!

Eastern Michigan University will award millions of dollars in academic scholarships this year. Most will be awarded to students who participate in our annual Presidential Scholarship Competition. The 2009 Presidential Scholarship Competition will take place December 5 and 12, 2009. High school students in the class of 2010 may participate in the Presidential Scholarship Competition in December 2009.

Sixteen students will receive our largest academic award, a four-year full-ride Presidential Scholarship, valued at approximately $64,000 over four years. Twenty-nine students will be awarded the Regents Gold Scholarship (tuition and fees for 30 credits a year renewable for four years - approximately $32,000).

All students who participate in the competition and meet the minimum qualifications are guaranteed a minimum $12,000 four-year Regents Scholarship.

Out-of-state students (excluding Michigan and Ohio) will also receive the National Scholars award, which pays the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rate for up to 30 credits per year for 4 years.

In addition, students may be awarded a $1,000 Honors Scholarship and/or a $1,000 Housing Scholarship.

Am I Eligible?

You are eligible to compete in the Presidential Scholarship Competition if you are a high school student in the fall of 2009, admissible to the University for Fall 2010 and you meet or exceed the GPA/test score combination below:

GPA ACT* SAT**
4 22 1040
3.9 23 1080
3.8 24 1110
3.7 25 1150
3.6 26 1180
3.5 26 1180

*ACT - Composite score

**SAT – Combined Math and Critical Reasoning sub-scores are used to determine eligibility

Individuals who do not meet the requirements, but who do have a 3.8 GPA or higher may still be allowed to participate in the Competition, depending on their academic core curriculum.

Students attending a school that does not weight grades for Honors or AP/IB courses will have their transcripts reviewed and recalculated, if necessary.

No one with a grade point average below a 3.5 will be considered for the Presidential Scholarship Competition.

What is the format of the competition?

The competition consists of an essay test (the topic will be provided to you at the start of the test), a personal interview with EMU faculty and staff, and a review of your academic and extra-curricular background.

Is there a cost to participate in the PSC?

There is no charge for participating in the PSC.

How do I sign up for the Presidential Scholarship Competition?

First, be sure you have applied for admission and have had your official high school transcripts and test scores sent to EMU.

Then, you can register online or by calling 800-GO-TO-EMU (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).

What is the deadline for registering for the test?

The priority registration deadline for both test dates is November 24, 2009. If you miss the priority deadline, please call 800.GO.TO.EMU.

How can I be sure that I am registered and that my participation is confirmed by EMU?

Shortly after you register, you will receive a confirmation letter or e-mail message notifying you of your eligibility status and all the information that you will need for the test date.

How do I compete for these scholarships?

Students who have applied for admission and meet the criteria above can register to participate in the PSC. All participants must attend the PSC Saturday program on December 5 or December 12, 2009.

All participants will take the PSC exam, and all who meet the minimum requirements will be awarded at least the Regents Scholarship.

Forty-five participants will be invited back for final-round interview in January. Sixteen finalists will be awarded the Presidential Scholarship (worth approximately $60,000 over 4 years ) and 29 will be awarded the the Regents Gold Scholarship (worth $32,000 over 4 years). All other qualified participants will be awarded the Regents Scholarship worth $3,000 per year.

When and where do I compete?

The competition dates will be December 5 and December 12, 2009. You may apply for the date most convenient for you. You must compete on one of the PSC dates to be eligible for competition scholarships.

You will come to the EMU Student Center on Eastern's main campus to begin the day. You will be escorted to the test site from there. After the exam, you will return to the EMU Student Center for an opportunity to talk with EMU faculty, staff and students.

What will my parents do while I am taking the test?

While you are taking the exam, your parents will be able to participate in the parent program. They will be able to choose sessions about University Housing, Financial Aid, Study Abroad, the Honors Program, Surviving the Next Eight Months, First Year Success Programs, Undergraduate Research, and an EMU Student Panel.

What if I need special accommodations?

Contact the Students with Disabilities Office at 734-487-2470.

When and how will I find out what scholarship I have been awarded?

The EMU Office of Financial Aid will send out letters before the holiday break in December informing all test takers of their scholarship status.

What if I have more questions?

Contact the Admissions Visit Programs office at 734-487-6453.