We are committed to help make a Miami University education affordable and attainable. Towards that goal, we also make every effort to provide accurate, timely, and current information in all of our printed and online information. However, the university also reserves the right to change without notice any statement due to federal, state, or university changes in policies, procedures, or regulations.

Miami University's faculty, staff, and alumni are committed to maintaining high standards of academic excellence. Part of the commitment is carried out through the Miami University Scholarship program, which is supported by contributions from the alumni, staff, parents, and friends of the University.

Miami has a limited number of special recognition scholarships which are automatically awarded to students who meet the award criteria. For the remainder of our general scholarships, the Office of Student Financial Assistance uses two different processes to award scholarships to incoming freshmen and to continuing Miami Students. In addition to the scholarships awarded by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, many academic departments award scholarships to students enrolled in their major fields, and the Office of Student Affairs awards scholarships through the Scholar Leader Program. Also, as a Division I, institution Miami offers athletic scholarships to students who participate in intercollegiate athletics.

For information on National Scholarships and Fellowships, please visit the University Honors Program website.

Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

All students who apply for admission by February 1 and are admitted to Miami University are considered for the many general scholarships we award to incoming freshmen; no separate application is required. Most scholarship recipients have scored 30 or better on the ACT (1320 on the SAT I - CR & M) and rank in the top 10% of their graduating class. Overall in 2009-2010, 53% of admitted first-year students were offered an academic scholarship or University grant.

Scholarships range from $1000 up to full tuition and fees. Many are multiple-year scholarships that may be renewed with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. While all scholarships are based on academic merit, some scholarships also have financial need as a requirement. For these scholarships, your financial need may influence both your ability to receive a scholarship and the amount of the award. We determine whether or not a student has financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be considered for all need-based scholarships, students must complete the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15.

Ohio Merit Scholarship – Beginning 2009-2010, Ohio residents admitted as new first-year Oxford campus students who scored a 29 ACT/1290 SAT (Critical Reading + Math) AND have either a top 10% class rank, or where specific individual rank or school decile is not provided, a 3.85 GPA on a 4.0 scale, will be considered for Miami's Ohio Merit Scholarships. Award determinations will be based on the official academic and testing information received by Miami University as of March 1. The average scholarship award amount is $2,000. This is a renewable scholarship with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Non-Ohio Resident Merit Scholarship – Out-of-State residents admitted as new first-year Oxford campus students with at least a 29 on the ACT (or its SAT equivalent of 1290 on the Critical Reading + Math) AND have either a top 10% class rank, or where specific individual rank or school decile is not provided, a 3.85 GPA on a 4.0 scale, will be considered for Miami's Non-Resident Merit Scholarships. The average scholarship award amount is $5,000. This scholarship is renewable with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Award determinations will be based on the official academic and testing information received by Miami University as of March 1.

Miami Grant – Ohio residents who complete the FAFSA by the February 15 priority date and who show financial need will receive the Miami Grant. See Grants.

Miami Access Initiative – The Miami Access Initiative is a need-based scholarship program for Ohio residents designed to help make Miami University accessible to all academically qualified students regardless of income. To learn more click here.

Harrison Scholarship – The Harrison Scholarship is Miami’s premier scholarship program. It provides four-year renewable awards for in-state tuition and fees. Students with financial need will be considered for additional funds to help cover cost of room and board when completing the FAFSA by Miami's priority deadline of February 15. Harrison Scholars for the 2009-10 academic year achieved an average 34 ACT or 1530 SAT (CR&M) scores, and ranked in the top 1% of their class (if a class rank is available), and had rigorous high school curriculums and strong records of extracurricular involvement. Harrison applications are reviewed for much more than these indicators alone. To be considered for the Harrison Scholarship, students must submit the Honors Application in addition to the regular admission application to the Office of Admission. Honors applications must be submitted by November 3. For more information about the Harrison Scholarship, visit the Harrison Scholarship website. This scholarship is renewable with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

University Honors Students – Students who are offered admission into the Honors program will be given priority in the awarding of Miami's donor scholarships.

Miami also offers special recognition scholarships to the following students:

National Merit Finalists – The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. National Merit Finalists, (who are not receiving a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship or Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship), who list Miami as their first choice school, are eligible to receive a renewable college-sponsored scholarship. Miami University offers college-sponsored scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,000 depending on financial need. More information about the National Merit Program can be found at www.nationalmerit.org.

National Achievement Scholar– The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition that provides recognition to outstanding African American high school students. High school students enter the National Achievement Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Miami University will guarantee National Achievement finalists who enroll at Miami $10,000 in scholarship and/or grant funds (students must submit documentation of finalist standing); semi-finalists will be guaranteed $5,000. This guarantee will be renewable with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

National Hispanic Recognition– The National Hispanic Recognition is an academic competition that provides national recognition of the exceptional achievements of Hispanic high school students. Students enter the National Hispanic Recognition Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Miami University will guarantee National Hispanic finalists who enroll at Miami $10,000 in scholarship and/or grant funds. This guarantee will be renewable with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

Miami University offers additional scholarships to students receiving the following outside scholarships/grants:

Choose Ohio First Teaching Scholarship – This scholarship will provide up to $3,000 a year in renewable scholarships for 2009 graduating high school seniors interested in becoming:

• a teacher of mathematics or science in grades 7-12
• a teacher of mathematics and science in grades 4-9

To learn more click here.

Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation – Miami University will award $2,000 to each admitted recipient of a Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, who enrolls at the Oxford campus and has significant financial need. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org.

Cleveland Scholarship Programs – Miami University will award $2,000 to each admitted recipient of a Cleveland Scholarship Program Scholarship who enrolls at the Oxford campus. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at www.cspohio.org.

Dayton Montgomery County Scholarship Foundation – Miami University will award a $500 scholarship for each admitted recipient of a Dayton Montgomery County Scholarship Foundation. This scholarship is for one year only (because students must reapply each year with the Dayton Montgomery County Scholarship Foundation). More scholarship information available at www.dmcsp.org.

D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant – Miami University will award a $5,000 scholarship to each admitted recipient of a D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at http://seo.dc.gov/seo.

First Tee Scholarship – Miami University will award a $10,000 scholarship to two (2) admitted First Tee Scholars who choose to enroll at Miami. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available www.thefirsttee.org.

Mosaic Youth Group – Miami University will award a $3,000 scholarship to each admitted student who is a member of the Mosaic Youth Group of Detroit who also file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This scholarship is renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at www.mosaicdetroit.org.

Washington Metropolitan Scholars – Miami University will award a $5,000 scholarship to each admitted Washington Metropolitan Scholar who enrolls at the Oxford campus. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at www.wmscholars.org.

Venture Scholars Program – Miami University will award a $5,000 scholarship to each admitted Venture Scholar student who enrolls at the Oxford campus. This scholarship will be renewable provided the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. More scholarship information available at www.venturescholar.org.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Students enrolled less than full time, attending the regional campuses, or who have a previous Bachelor's degree are not eligible.

For 2009-2010 academic year, Miami University offers the following Transfer Scholarships:

Transfer Recognition Awards – $1,000 - $2,000 renewable scholarship available to in-state and out-of-state transfer students who have a minimum GPA of 3.40 on 12 or more hours of college level work.

Phi Theta Kappa International Society of the Two Year College – $2,500 (in-state) - $5,000 (out-of-state) renewable scholarship for transfer students who have a Phi Theta Kappa membership. Student must provide documentation of membership (designation on the student's admission transcript or submit copy of membership card).

Pathways Scholarship – $3,000 renewable scholarship available to students transferring directly from an accredited Ohio community college. Student must have attended the community college for two years or earned 24 semester or 36 quarter hours and have a 3.40 GPA.

Merit/Need-based Scholarship – $2,000 - $4,000 renewable scholarship available for transfer students who have demonstrated academic merit and significant need. To determine need eligibility, a student must have submitted a FAFSA. Students must also have a 3.5 GPA based on 12 credit hours from an accredited school.

Scholarships for Current Miami Students

Scholarships Awarded by Academic Departments

Many of the academic departments at Miami have scholarships which they award to both incoming freshmen and to current Miami students. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship from the department in your major field of study, you should contact the chair of the academic department. Incoming freshmen should also make sure that they have declared their intended major with the Office of Admission by early February.

Study Abroad Airfare Grant

Eligible students with financial need may receive a university grant up to $600 for their study abroad airline ticket and could receive the remainder of their ticket price in an interest free university loan. Students must attend full time during either the fall or spring semester in a study abroad program. For more information and the requirements for this grant, see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.

Scholar Leader Scholarships

For upperclass students wishing to apply for a Scholar Leader Scholarship, please note that these financial awards require an interview process as well as a requirement to live on campus in either Stoddard or Elliott Halls. To find out more information about the Scholar Leader Living Learning Community as well as application information, please access http://community.muohio.edu/wilks/llc/scholarleader or contact the Wilks Leadership Institute at 513-529-3435.

Athletic Scholarships

Miami offers athletic scholarships in the following men’s sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, swimming & diving, and track & field. Miami also offers athletic scholarships in the following women’s sports: basketball, cross country, field hockey, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Students interested in being a member of one of Miami’s 17 intercollegiate sport teams should contact the team coach for more information.

Teacher Education Access at Miami (TEAM) Scholarships

The TEAM Scholarship through the School of Education and Allied Profession helps Ohio's teachers and administrators reduce the cost of professional/graduate course work. This scholarship provides a 50% reduction to a student's instructional, general, technology and metro fees.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be an educator who is a full-time teacher or administrator in an Ohio school, holds a professional license or certificate issued by the State of Ohio, is a resident of Ohio, and the degree or course being taken is part of the educator's approved professional development plan. Applications and additional information can be obtained at www.muohio.edu/eap/team_scholarship.

Miami's TEAM Scholarship can be combined with the Choose Ohio First Scholarship to make your graduate education even more affordable.

Selection and Notification

The Office of Student Financial Assistance awards scholarships to incoming freshmen based on their high school academic record and their ACT/SAT test scores received by Miami University as of March 1. Students are notified of their scholarship awards in late-March.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance awards scholarships to continuing Miami students based on the results of the Returning Student Scholarship Competition. Scholarship applications are given two scores: a quantitative score based on the cumulative grade point average (GPA); a qualitative score based on the completed essays and list of activities. Students will be notified prior to July 1 of whether or not they have been awarded a scholarship.