Incoming Freshmen

Merit Scholarships

Merit Scholarships are available for all new freshmen that meet two of the three criteria listed for each award, as well as the minimum test scores.

  • Students applying for admission to Colorado Mesa University will automatically be considered for the following scholarships and completing an additional application is not required.
  • First-year students may have up to 24 accepted college credit hours from another institution.
  • Students who have earned more than 24 college credits in high school will still be considered for these awards.
  • International students and students with previous baccalaureate degrees are NOT eligible.
Distinguished Scholar for Colorado residents is in-state tuition
Distinguished Scholar for out-of-state residents is $6,000
Presidential scholarship is $3,500
Academic Achievement Award is $1,250
Eligibility for Spring 2019 and before
Scholarship Annual Value Criteria
Academic Achievement $1,250
  • 3.20 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 20% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 22 or SAT combined score of 1120

Presidential

 $3,500
  • 3.50 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 15% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 25 or SAT combined score of 1190

Distinguished Scholar
(Colorado Resident)

 Tuition, General Student Fees and Facility Debt Service Fee
  • 3.75 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 5% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 29 or SAT combined score of 1340

Distinguished Scholar
(Out-of-State Resident)

 $6,000
  • 3.75 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 5% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 29 or SAT combined score of 1340
Eligibility for Fall 2019 and after
Scholarship Annual Value Criteria
Academic Achievement $1,250
  • 3.20 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 20% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 22 or SAT combined score of 1110

Presidential

 $3,500
  • 3.50 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 15% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 25 or SAT combined score of 1210

Distinguished Scholar
(Colorado Resident)

 Tuition (does not cover fees)
  • 3.75 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 5% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 29 or SAT combined score of 1340

Distinguished Scholar
(Out-of-State Resident)

 $6,000
  • 3.75 GPA (weighted)
  • Top 5% of their Class
  • ACT composite score of 29 or SAT combined score of 1340

Minimum Requirements

Students considered for any of the Merit Scholarships must meet the following individual test score minimums (even if test scores are not one of the two criteria utilized for the award):

ACT
English 18
Reading / Social Science 17
Math 19
SAT
Evidenced Based Reading and Writing 470
Math 500

If you are an admitted incoming freshman and would like to be considered for a merit scholarship due to a change in your qualifying information, please fill out the Request for Reconsideration form.  If you have any questions, contact the Admissions Office 970.248.1875.

Accept your Merit Scholarship

Were you awarded a merit scholarship? View and accept your Financial Aid award. 

  • Choose the academic year you will be attending
  • Click the “Terms and Conditions” tab, read carefully and click “Accept”
  • Click the “Accept Award” tab and select your decision in the “Accept Award” column
  • Click “Submit Decision”

Renewal Information

The Merit Scholarships are renewable if the student continues to meet the minimum requirements.

  • Student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester (not available during the summer session)
  • Available until the student earns a bachelor's degree or reaches a maximum of 120 attempted credit hours.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative Colorado Mesa University GPA based on the scholarship awarded.  The renewal minimum GPA is different from the initial award requirements.  Be sure to view the Terms and Conditions for award specific renewal criteria.