Requirements for Accepting & Maintaining Merit Scholarships
General Merit Scholarship Guidelines
The following guidelines contain general information that every merit scholar should be aware of regarding scholarship awards. Please see individual scholarship descriptions for additional requirements.
- To be considered at full-time status, you must be enrolled in 12-16 credits per semester.
- Summer sessions and winter intersession are not eligible semesters during which you can receive your scholarship.
- As an incoming student, if you are deferring your admission to Emerson and you do not matriculate at another college or university while deferring, we will hold your scholarship offer for one year from the date of the initial offer.
- The scholarship is renewable as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program. If you complete your degree earlier than the semester guidelines stated above, your scholarship eligibility will cease. For example, if you take additional courses over the summer to accelerate your degree and you finish your degree requirements in five (5) semesters, your scholarship will not be renewed for additional semesters once the degree requirements are met. Merit scholarships are only to be used for courses that are required to complete your Emerson degree program.
- If you withdraw from the College or if you are withdrawn by the College, you forfeit your scholarship and may not have it reinstated if you re-enroll at a later date.
- If you fail to meet the academic criteria or other requirements of your scholarship, the scholarship will be subject to cancellation. You may appeal the loss of scholarship if you have documented extenuating circumstances, such as an illness requiring hospitalization. If you meet the academic criteria in a later semester, you can appeal to have the scholarship reinstated. Renewals in these circumstances are at the sole discretion of the Office of Financial Aid.
- If you apply for need-based financial assistance, federal guidelines require that the amount of your scholarship must be used in calculating your eligibility for other need-based aid. If you apply for financial aid and receive a financial assistance statement, you will see your merit scholarship appear as part of your total financial package.
- Up until you matriculate, the Office of Undergraduate Admission is your contact for scholarship questions and information. Thereafter, the Office of Financial Aid will be responsible for reviewing your renewal eligibility each academic year. Current students should refer any scholarship and/or renewal questions to the Office of Financial Aid. Academic offices or other administrative offices cannot offer any information about your scholarship once you are enrolled.
For Summer 2024 and Future Term Accepted Students
For Fall 2023 and Future Term Accepted Students
For Summer 2023 and Prior Term Accepted Students
For Fall 2022 and Prior Term Enrolled Students
For Fall 2024 and Future Term Accepted Transfer Students
For Fall 2023 and Prior Term Enrolled Transfer Students
Full List of First Year Scholarships
Alliance Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who are enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program (IDS) and who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time as a degree-seeking student in the Interdisciplinary Studies major.
- Alliance Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Aspire Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who are at the top of Emerson’s applicant pool and who have demonstrated a high level of academic distinction as well as qualities such as leadership and community service-focus. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Aspire Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Creative Circle Scholarship
This prestigious scholarship is awarded to applicants accepted into the Emerson Circle of Creative Scholars, who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities and shown leadership, commitment to community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student.
The mission of ECCS is to help students navigate the academic, social, and career development landscape at Emerson as they achieve their personal goals. We will provide students with a holistic, enriching Emerson experience through programmatic support focused on the eight dimensions of wellness: intellectual/academic, financial, occupational, emotional, environmental, physical/health, social, and spiritual. By focusing on these dimensions, Emerson will be ensuring that students will enhance and expand their Emerson experience while demonstrating knowledge and awareness of the tools needed to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program and participating in ECCS programming.
- Creative Circle Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Elma Lewis Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who share a commitment to diversity, inclusion, civic and global engagement. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- You must remain active in the Elma Lewis Scholars Program for the duration of your enrollment as a degree-seeking candidate.
- Elma Lewis Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Embark Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Embark Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Expression Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant potential for success, at Emerson, both academically and within the community through leadership, community engagement and creative endeavors. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Expression Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Embark Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Global BFA program.
- Global BFA Embark Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Expression Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant potential for success at Emerson both academically and within the community through leadership, community engagement and creative endeavors. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Global BFA program.
- Global BFA Expression Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Luminary Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students at the top of Emerson's applicant pool who have demonstrated academic distinction within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, ability to manage adversity, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Global BFA program.
- Global BFA Luminary Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Global BFA Pinnacle Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Global BFA Pinnacle Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Pioneer Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated strong academic success within their school communities as well as compelling qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Global BFA program.
- Global BFA Pioneer Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Spotlight Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Global BFA Spotlight Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Global BFA Trailblazer Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have set themselves apart within Emerson's applicant pool through demonstrated distinctive academic success as well as qualities such as leadership, creativity, community engagement, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to nine (9) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Global BFA program.
- Global BFA Trailblazer Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Luminary Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students at the top of Emerson's applicant pool who have demonstrated academic distinction within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, ability to manage adversity, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Luminary Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Musical Theatre Scholarship
The Musical Theatre Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship offered to an incoming first-year Musical Theatre student who has demonstrated outstanding ability in the performing arts along with evidence of strong academic and leadership potential. The scholarship is provided for up to 4 years. It is currently only available for a first-year student starting in 2024.
No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in the Musical Theatre program.
- Musical Theatre Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point and be enrolled as a full-time student in the Musical Theatre program.
Pioneer Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated strong academic success within their school communities as well as compelling qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Pioneer Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Spotlight Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Spotlight Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Trailblazer Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have set themselves apart within Emerson's applicant pool through demonstrated distinctive academic success as well as qualities such as leadership, creativity, community engagement, and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Trailblazer Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Trustees Scholarship
This prestigious scholarship is given to applicants accepted into the Honors Program. A separate Honors Program application must be submitted with your admission application in order to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- You must remain in the Honors Program for the duration of your enrollment as a degree-seeking candidate.
- Trustees Scholars must maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade point average each academic year, and also must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in Honors seminars.
- All Honors Program students are required to abide by the Honors Program Academic Policy
Visionary Scholarship
This scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated significant academic success within their school communities as well as qualities such as leadership, community engagement and other factors important to success as an Emerson student. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Visionary Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic progress each academic year.
Transfer Scholarships
Bunker Hill Community College Scholarship
Students must plan to earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from Bunker Hill by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to five (5) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Bunker Hill Community College Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Miami Dade College Scholarship
This scholarship is for students transferring from Miami Dade College to Emerson. The Miami Dade College Scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment. In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must earn an associate's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7 from Miami Dade College by the time they matriculate at Emerson. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to five (5) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Miami Dade College Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Next Step Emerson Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students who earn an associate's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from a community college by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to five (5) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Next Step Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Application
To be considered eligible to apply for this scholarship, students must earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 from an accredited community college and be an official member in good standing of Phi Theta Kappa. The PTK scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to five (5) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
Roxbury Community College Scholarship
Students must plan to earn an associate’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from Roxbury, by the time they matriculate at Emerson. This scholarship is limited to fall term enrollment. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to eight (5) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Roxbury Community College Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.
The Gateway Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available for students transferring from a public or private 4-year college/university. This scholarship is limited to the fall term.
Eligible transfer students must have 30+ transferable credits from previous college/university coursework and a minimum 3.5 GPA. Students are required to enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. No additional essay or application is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Please see the criteria below regarding the maintenance of this scholarship:
- Your scholarship is renewable for up to six (6) semesters as long as you are enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- Gateway Scholars must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average each academic year.