Unveiling the Canes Achievement Scholarship Requirements at the University of Miami

The University of Miami (UM) attracts students worldwide with diverse experiences, achievements, and interests, fostering a vibrant academic community. Recognizing outstanding talent, UM offers merit scholarships to incoming undergraduate students based on their achievements, irrespective of citizenship. These scholarships, including prestigious Premier Scholarships, aim to support and recognize academic excellence. This article delves into the requirements, renewal criteria, and other essential aspects of the Canes Achievement Scholarships at the University of Miami.

Merit Scholarships at UM: An Overview

The University of Miami awards merit scholarships to incoming undergraduate students based on a comprehensive review of the applicant pool each year. Applying Early Decision I and Early Action enhances eligibility for Premier Scholarships. Notably, scholarship decisions are final, but recipients may still qualify for need-based assistance by completing required financial aid applications.

Premier Scholarships

The most academically competitive students admitted to the first-year class are considered for Premier Scholarships. These scholarships may require additional information from the applicants. Among the Premier Scholarships are the Stamps Scholarship, the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship, and the Marta S. and L. George W. Jenkins Scholarship.

Stamps Scholarship

The Stamps Scholarship stands as UM's most prestigious merit award.

Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship

Honoring the legacy of the University’s first director of minority affairs, the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to their surrounding community.

Read also: WSAC Overview

Marta S. and L. George W. Jenkins Scholarship

The Jenkins scholarship is awarded to high school seniors with strong academic credentials, significant financial need, and a history of overcoming adversity. The award includes tuition and fees, on-campus housing, a meal plan, University health insurance, and a laptop allowance.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for Early Decision I (EDI) and Early Action (EA) are in November. These deadlines apply to the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship, the Marta S. and L. George W. Jenkins Scholarship.

Initial Eligibility and Application

Incoming first-year students applying under the Early Decision I and Early Action notification plans are automatically considered for Premier Scholarships. The criteria for awarding these scholarships are based on a comprehensive review of the applicant pool each year. The Office of Undergraduate Admission awards scholarships only at the time of admission. Students are encouraged to apply for outside scholarships for subsequent years and can visit the Donor Scholarships page for more information.

Renewal Requirements for UM Merit/Academic Scholarships

Maintaining a UM merit/academic scholarship requires students to meet specific academic standards. These renewal requirements apply to all undergraduate students receiving such scholarships.

GPA Requirement

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0. This GPA is initially calculated at the end of the second semester of attendance.

Credit Hour Requirements

Scholarship recipients must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study with no fewer than 12 credit hours during each of the fall and spring semesters, totaling a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. All credits attempted must be completed with a minimum of 12 credits per semester or 24 credits per academic year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

In order to remain eligible for all types of financial aid, students must make satisfactory progress toward completing their degree requirements. This includes:

Maintaining a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of 2.0.
Successfully earning 67 percent of the total credit hours attempted during their overall academic career.
Completing the degree within 150 percent of the normal completion time as determined by the school or college catalog. A student will fail when the institution is aware that a student cannot complete their program within the 150 percent time frame.

Impact of CR/NC Option

The Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) option can affect UM merit awards. All CR/NC courses for which a student receives a CR grade will count as earned credits. These credits will also count toward the 24 academic year credits needed for UM Merit award renewal eligibility, Florida State aid renewal eligibility, and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

Consequences of Failing SAP

Federal and institutional need-based aid recipients will be placed on a “warning status” for one semester following notice of failure to meet SAP requirements. Bright Futures-eligible recipients who fail to achieve a minimum 2.75 institutional GPA and become ineligible during their first year of funding may apply for restoration in an academic year after which the 2.75 institutional GPA requirement is met.

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet the listed conditions have the opportunity to submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Review Committee. If a student re-establishes their aid eligibility through the appeals process, the term in which their initial appeal is approved will be considered a “Probationary” term.

Additional Considerations

Scholarship Coverage

Most UM scholarships cover tuition only. However, a few select Premier Scholarships cover room and meals.

Outside Scholarships

Students can apply for outside scholarships for subsequent years. The University of Miami does not match other scholarships offered by another institution.

National Merit Awards

National Merit finalists who are accepted, enroll, and then name the University of Miami as their first choice may receive a $1,000 or $2,000 college-sponsored National Merit Award.

Financial Aid and Resources

Merit scholarships are considered resources and may affect financial need per federal regulations and University policy. UM and Federal Need-Based Aid include Coral Grants, donor awards, Pell, SEOG, Work Study, International Student Grants, Direct Student Loans, and PLUS Loans. UM grant eligibility is limited to the standard length of one’s primary major undergraduate degree requirements, typically four academic years/eight terms of continuous fall/spring undergraduate enrollment. Those who exceed their term limits will lose eligibility for awards such as a UM Coral Grant or UM Tamara Lapman Grant.

Inactive Status and Non-UM Programs

If a student goes on Inactive Status or enrolls in a non-UM program (fall or spring), and is meeting SAP prior to the semester away, the scholarship will be on hold until they return. However, loans MAY go into repayment during the period of Inactive Status or enrollment in a non-UM program.

Summer Credits

UM Merit/Academic scholarships and Florida Aid allows students to take credits to meet the credit completion and GPA-earned requirements, but they must be completed the summer after the academic year.

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