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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Colorado Mesa
Decision sheet

Colorado · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Colorado Mesa automatically awards a three-tier merit grid ($3,000-$7,500/year) on the highest weighted-or-unweighted high school GPA with no application, topped by a competitive full-tuition Distinguished Scholar Award for Colorado residents. DRAFT.

More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

Awards to discuss

The 2 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Automatic Merit Scholarships (Trustee / Presidents / Academic Achievement)

$3,000-$7,500/year · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: Trustee → $7,500/yr (3.90 GPA); Presidents → $5,000/yr (3.50 GPA); Academic Achievement → $3,000/yr (3.20 GPA). Based on the highest cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) on the high school transcript. · SAT: Not required (GPA-based) · ACT: Not required (GPA-based)

Eligibility: New freshmen admitted to a degree-seeking program; no separate application. May have up to 24 accepted college credits from another institution; students with more than 24 college credits earned in high school are still considered. International students and students with a prior baccalaureate degree are NOT eligible. Eligibility is automatically reconsidered if cumulative high school GPA improves and an official updated transcript is sent directly from the high school.

Renewal: Described as merit scholarships awarded at the time of admission; specific renewal GPA/credit requirements are not stated on this page (confirm with Financial Aid).

Other terms: Awarded automatically based on the highest weighted-or-unweighted cumulative high school GPA — no application. Students must accept the award in their financial aid award offer.

https://www.coloradomesa.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/freshmen.html

Distinguished Scholar Award

Full tuition (Colorado residents) · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: CMU's most prestigious renewable merit scholarship; highly competitive selection process requiring a secondary application. Valued at full tuition for Colorado residents.

Renewal: Renewable; specific renewal terms not stated on this page.

Other terms: Full tuition (not full cost of attendance) and limited to Colorado residents; requires a separate competitive application beyond admission.

https://www.coloradomesa.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/freshmen.html

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Cost of attendance represents the highest dollar amount of financial aid a student can receive during an award year.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/colorado-mesa-university/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.