Honors Program Scholarships
Messiah University Honors Program
The Messiah University Honors Program helps bright, curious students who wish to further hone their gifts and talents within a community that is both challenging and supportive. The Honors Program exemplifies Messiah's commitment to academic excellence and fostering and intellectually rigorous Christian world view.
Admission to the program is highly competitive; an invitation to interview does not guarantee admission to the Honors Program. There are three different levels of Honors Program Scholarships that can be earned and all come with an opportunity to participate in the Honors Program. Students who are selected to receive an invitation to the Honors Program receive either full tuition (Trustees') or partial tuition (President's or Faculty) scholarships.
To qualify, first-year applicants must complete the Messiah University application process prior to Feb.1.
Do you have questions about the Honors Program and your eligibility to be invited for an interview?
Test Score Submitting Applicants
The majority of students invited to interview for the Messiah University Honors Program will apply as test score submitting applicants. These applicants must submit a combination of SAT, ACT or CLT scores as well as a cumulative high school GPA that falls within the parameters of the following chart.These applicants will automatically receive an invitation to interview for the Honors Program. Eligible applicants will be notified with their admissions decision or upon submitting materials that meet this criteria prior to the February 1 deadline.
Test Optional Applicants
A small group of test-optional applicants will be invited to interview for the Messiah University Honors Program. These candidates will undergo a comprehensive evaluation by an evaluation committee, which will consider their cumulative high school GPA, class rank, performance in multiple college-credit courses, alongside their involvement and achievements listed in the application. Selected applicants typically possess a 4.0 GPA and have completed at least six AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses. Qualified applicants will be notified of their eligibility with their admission decision.
Trustees Scholarship
An estimated 4 Trustees Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- The amount is equal to 100 percent of the student's first year tuition costs and is frozen at that amount for the duration of the student's academic career.
- This scholarship replaces the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University merit scholarship.
- Trustees' Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University and frozen at an amount equal to 100 percent of that student's first year tuition cost.
- Trustees' Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
President's Scholarship
An estimated 80 President's Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $5,000 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts scholarships.
- President's Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- President's Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
Faculty Scholarship
An estimated 40 Faculty Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $1,500 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts scholarships.
- Faculty Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- Faculty Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
Distinguished Scholar Award
Distinguished Scholar Awards are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership and Christian character. This award is given to students who interview for the Messiah University Honors Program but are not selected for participation.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $1,000 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships.
- Students who receive the Distinguished Scholar Award are not eligible for participation in the Honors Program.
- Distinguished Scholar Awards are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- Distinguished Scholar Awards are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.