Unlocking the Medallion Scholarship at Western Michigan University: A Comprehensive Guide

The Medallion Scholarship Program at Western Michigan University (WMU) represents a significant opportunity for incoming first-year students. It is WMU’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship offered to incoming first-year students. Valued at approximately $92,110 over four years, the scholarship aims to recognize and support students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. This article provides a detailed overview of the Medallion Scholarship, including its value, requirements, and the selection process.

What the Medallion Scholarship Offers

The Medallion Scholarship is a substantial investment in a student's future, providing significant financial assistance throughout their undergraduate studies. The scholarship includes:

Tuition and Fees: Up to $16,000 per year for four years, covering a significant portion of the cost of attendance.
On-Campus Housing: A scholarship of up to $6,279 per year for four years, specifically for on-campus housing. The housing scholarship amount is based on the rate of a double occupancy, suite-style room. If a scholar elects to live in a different on-campus option, they will be charged the difference in amount.
Engagement Scholarship: A one-time scholarship of up to $3,000 to support study abroad or research opportunities. Scholars must develop a budget for the engagement stipend scholarship and work in collaboration with the Lee Honors College to secure funding.

As Broncos, Medallion Scholars are members of WMU’s Lee Honors College and thus receive the diverse benefits of an honors college education. Medallion Scholars demonstrate The Medallion Ethic, which is a spirit of commitment to excellence and leadership that challenges each Medallion Scholar to make a difference.

Eligibility and Consideration Criteria

The Medallion Scholarship is highly competitive, and selection is based on a holistic review of the admissions application file. Here are the key criteria considered:

Academic Performance: Scholars demonstrate outstanding academic performance during high school. Scholarship consideration is based on the transcript GPA at the time of admission on a 4.00 scale. Transcript GPAs that are not on a 4.00 scale will be recalculated accordingly.
Leadership: Medallion scholars are leaders both inside and outside of the classroom.
Commitment to Service: Scholars demonstrate a commitment to making the world a better place.
Holistic Review: Students are selected through a competitive, holistic review of the admissions application file. This includes, but is not limited to, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, essay and/or personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Information in the admission application is used in Medallion Scholarship selection. Make sure to fully complete all areas of the admission application to maximize your consideration.

Specific Requirements:

Must be a first-year student enrolling in fall.
Students must submit a complete admission application file by the Early Action deadline of December 15. A complete admission application file includes: application (Common App including WMU supplement), official high school transcripts and $40 application fee or fee waiver. Students who wish for an ACT/SAT score to be considered in review must self-report their score on the admission app. Students interested in Aviation Flight Science and direct admission to the Bronson School of Nursing must complete their admission application by the Early Action deadline.

Up to 60 semifinalists will be selected to participate in an interview to select up to 20 Medallion Scholars. Semifinalists will be notified in February.

Renewal and Continued Eligibility

The Medallion Scholarship is renewable for up to eight consecutive fall/spring semesters of undergraduate study, or until graduation requirements are met, whichever occurs first. To maintain the scholarship, students must:

Maintain good academic standing.
Adhere to the WMU student code of conduct.
Remain in good standing with residence life to qualify for the room portion of the scholarship.

If Medallion Scholars complete an undergraduate degree in less than four years, they may petition the dean of the Lee Honors College to use remaining funds toward graduate study at WMU. To use these funds for graduate study, the student must either have been accepted and enrolled in a WMU accelerated graduate degree program or been accepted and enrolled full‐time in a WMU graduate degree program beginning in the fall or spring semester immediately following completion of their undergraduate degree. The housing and engagement scholarship may not be applied toward graduate study.

Application Process

A significant advantage of the Medallion Scholarship Program is that no additional scholarship application is required. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship when they apply for admission to Western Michigan University.

Apply for Admission: The first step is to apply for admission to Western Michigan University. Remember to apply for admission to Western Michigan University first before applying for Medallion Scholarship Program.
Complete Application File: Ensure that the admission application file is complete by the Early Action deadline of December 15. This includes the application (Common App including WMU supplement), official high school transcripts, and the $40 application fee or fee waiver. Students who wish for an ACT/SAT score to be considered in review must self-report their score on the admission app. Students interested in Aviation Flight Science and direct admission to the Bronson School of Nursing must complete their admission application by the Early Action deadline.
Holistic Review: The Office of Admissions conducts a holistic review of all complete applications to identify potential Medallion Scholars.
Semifinalist Interviews: Up to 60 semifinalists will be selected to participate in an interview to select up to 20 Medallion Scholars. Semifinalists will be notified in February.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at WMU

While the Medallion Scholarship is the most prestigious, WMU offers a variety of other scholarships and financial aid programs. Here are a few examples:

Bronco Promise: This program offers full tuition for up to four years for admitted, full-time, first-year students who are Michigan residents with a household adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less and household net assets under $75,000. No GPA minimum. Complete admissions application file by June 1.
MLK GOLD Scholarship: Designed for students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and community involvement. Value: $32,000 ($8,000/year for four years). Consideration criteria: 3.00+ GPA at the time of admission, demonstrate financial need (Pell-eligible), have not been accepted into or receiving tuition funds from any other special program, demonstrate community involvement through leadership, civic engagement or service within a community beyond their own. Students who are awarded the MLK GOLD Scholarship are automatically enrolled in the MLK Jr. Student Scholars Academy, which has renewal requirements. The scholarship process includes the application and an interview. Complete admission application file and scholarship application due in Scholarship Universe by Feb. 15.
Paper Technology Foundation (PTF) Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to first-year students based on their GPA at the time they are admitted to WMU. Scholarships range annually and can be stacked with other WMU merit-based scholarships. Completed admissions application file by annual WMU application deadline of June 1. Students must list paper engineering as their intended academic major on their application in order to be considered for PTF scholarships.
Seita Scholarship: A partial-tuition scholarship for students who have lived some or all of their teenage years in foster care.
WMU Achievement Grant: A need-based grant for undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Students must complete the FAFSA for the appropriate aid year, be enrolled at least half time. The student aid index (SAI) cap is $10,999 for returning students and $20,000 for new students and new transfer students. This grant is renewable, but students must reapply for financial aid and meet eligibility criteria each year.
Endowed Scholarships: Through the generous support of donors, WMU has more than 50 endowed scholarships that are available to degree seeking students. To be considered for these and other scholarships, please access WMU’s Scholarship Universe system. Applications open November 17 and close February 15. Students will be notified by April 15 if they did or did not receive an endowed scholarship.

To be considered for these and other scholarships, please access WMU’s Scholarship Universe system. Students awarded more than one Office of Admissions scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value. Awards are subject to change.

Read also: CWRU Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Graduate students are not eligible for the same financial aid programs that undergraduate students receive, which means no state or federal grant money. Your aid package will consist mostly of loans. Full-time enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are required for scholarships to pay. If students are not meeting SAP requirements, then they must complete an SAP appeal with the Office of Student Financial Aid. If student’s SAP appeal is granted, the reinstated SAP status will automatically allow the scholarship to pay and no additional scholarship appeal is necessary.

Benefits for Employees and Dependents

Western offers a discount program for benefits-eligible employees and a remission program for the spouse and dependent children of employees with full-time benefits eligibility. Remission is 75% of tuition and required fees (records initiation fee, enrollment fee, student assessment fee and EUP technology fee) for courses offered and taken for academic credit at WMU and requires an application. Students must be enrolled as undergraduate students in credit-bearing courses to receive this benefit. More information is available through WMU Human Resources.

Maximizing Your Chances

To maximize your chances of being selected as a Medallion Scholar, focus on the following:

Academics: Maintain a high GPA and challenge yourself with rigorous coursework.
Leadership: Seek out leadership opportunities in school and your community.
Community Involvement: Participate in activities that demonstrate your commitment to serving others.
Application Quality: Craft a compelling admission application that highlights your achievements, experiences, and aspirations. Make sure to fully complete all areas of the admission application to maximize your consideration.

Read also: Growth and Community at WOU

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