Have you recently been accepted to attend Trinity Methodist University (TMU) and are now wondering how to pay for it? Good news – TMU offers a variety of Entrance Scholarships that can help offset the costs of your education.
TMU Scholarship Overview
Before diving into the specifics of TMU’s Entrance Scholarships, it’s helpful to first understand the university’s overall approach to financial aid.
TMU is committed to making a quality education accessible and works hard to help students fund their degrees through various scholarships, grants and loan programs. The university utilizes a holistic review process when awarding scholarships, taking into account factors like your academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service and potential to succeed.
Each year, TMU allocates millions of dollars in institutional aid to help qualified students afford college. A significant portion of these funds go towards Entrance Scholarships – monetary awards given to incoming freshmen based on their academic merit and accomplishments in high school.
By offering Entrance Scholarships, TMU aims to recruit talented students who will contribute value to campus life and help further the university’s mission. The scholarships also help attract a more socioeconomically diverse student body.
Now, let’s review the specific Entrance Scholarship options available and how to qualify for each one.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is TMU’s most prestigious academic award, reserved for only the top 1% of incoming freshmen. It offers:
- Award Amount: Full tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room and board
- Renewable for up to 4 years if maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA
- No separate application – automatically considered for eligible applicants
To be considered, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a first-time incoming freshman
- Have a minimum weighted high school GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale
- Score at least a 34 on the ACT or 1500 on the SAT
- Graduate in the top 1% of high school class
Only a handful of Presidential Scholarships are awarded each year. Meeting the minimum stats does not guarantee receiving one, as TMU also considers other factors like extracurricular leadership. It’s the university’s top honor and will cover almost all your undergraduate education expenses if renewed.
Provost Scholarship
The Provost Scholarship is the second-highest academic scholarship TMU offers and provides the following:
- Award Amount: $20,000 total ($5,000 per year for four years)
- Renewable for up to 4 years if maintained at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA
- No separate application – automatically considered for eligible applicants
To qualify for a Provost Scholarship, applicants must meet these standards:
- Be a first-time incoming freshman
- Have a minimum weighted high school GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Score at least a 30 on the ACT or 1350 on the SAT
- Graduate in the top 5% of their high school class
While not quite as prestigious or substantial as the Presidential Scholarship, the Provost Scholarship is still a significant award that can considerably lower the overall cost of a TMU education.
Deans Scholarship
The Deans Scholarship is TMU’s third-highest academic scholarship tier. Award details include:
- Award Amount: $12,000 total ($3,000 per year for four years)
- Renewable for up to 4 years if maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- No separate application – automatically considered for eligible applicants
To qualify for a Deans Scholarship, an applicant must meet these criteria:
- Be a first-time incoming freshman
- Have a minimum weighted high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Score at least a 27 on the ACT or 1200 on the SAT
- Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class
While providing less monetary funding than the prior two tiers, the Deans Scholarship is still a substantial academic award that can help tremendously with paying for a TMU education. It’s awarded to the top 10-15% of applicants each year.
Faculty Scholarship
The Faculty Scholarship is TMU’s fourth academic scholarship tier. Details include:
- Award Amount: $8,000 total ($2,000 per year for four years)
- Renewable for up to 4 years if maintained at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA
- No separate application – automatically considered for eligible applicants
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following academic requirements:
- Be a first-time incoming freshman
- Have a minimum weighted high school GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
- Score at least a 24 on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT
- Graduate in the top 25% of their high school class
This scholarship tier helps recognize strong students who fall just outside of the top three categories. While the monetary value is less, it can still notably lower your overall education costs at TMU.
Transfer Scholarships
In addition to the Entrance Scholarships outlined above for incoming freshmen, TMU also offers Transfer Scholarships for eligible applicants transferring from another college or university.
Transfer students are considered for one of the following two transfer scholarship tiers:
Trustees’ Transfer Scholarship
- Award Amount: $12,000 total ($3,000 per year for four semesters of full-time enrollment)
- To qualify, transfer students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA
Associates’ Transfer Scholarship
- Award Amount: $8,000 total ($2,000 per year for 4 semesters of full-time enrollment)
- To qualify, transfer students must have a minimum 3.25 cumulative college GPA
Both transfer scholarships are renewable each year as long as the recipient maintains at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA while enrolled at TMU. They help make TMU attainable for community college students and others wishing to continue their education.
Maintaining Your Scholarship
Now that we’ve covered the different Entrance and Transfer Scholarship tiers available, it’s important to note the academic standards one must maintain in order to continue receiving them each year:
- Presidential Scholarship – Must earn at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA
- Provost Scholarship – Must earn at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA
- Deans Scholarship – Must earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Faculty Scholarship – Must earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA
- Transfer Scholarships – Must earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
If a recipient’s end of year GPA falls below the renewal threshold for their specific scholarship, they will lose eligibility for it. Their scholarship funding will be revoked for the following academic year.
It’s therefore crucial for scholarship holders to study diligently and utilize campus support services as needed in order to achieve strong grades and keep their awards. TMU wants scholarship recipients to succeed, so academic advising and tutoring help is readily available.
Scholarship Application Process and Deadlines
The good news is that TMU’s Entrance Scholarships discussed do not require a separate application – students are automatically considered for the top tiers based on their admissions application credentials.
The priority scholarship deadline is February 1st. Students who have a complete regular admissions application and required test scores submitted by this date will receive early scholarship notification by mid-March at the latest.
While applications received after February 1st will still be considered for institutional aid, funding amounts may be smaller since top awards are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date materials are received.
TMU utilizes a rolling admissions process, so students can apply anytime during their senior year or after graduation. However, it’s best to apply as early as possible to maximize scholarship eligibility and chances of receiving aid.
Once admitted to TMU, you’ll receive your official financial aid package outlining any merit-based or need-based assistance you qualify for by mid-April. At this point, you can assess whether to commit to attending based on your total out-of-pocket costs.
So in summary, the key dates for TMU Entrance Scholarship eligibility are:
- February 1st – Priority scholarship consideration deadline
- Mid-March – Scholarship notification for priority applicants
- Mid-April – Admission decision letters with financial aid packages sent
Plan accordingly and submit your materials early if wanting the best shot at receiving one of TMU’s valuable Entrance Scholarship awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are still likely plenty of additional questions on readers’ minds regarding TMU Entrance Scholarships. Let’s address some frequently asked ones now:
Do scholarships stack on top of federal and state aid?
Yes, TMU Entrance Scholarships are “stackable” and will be part of an overall financial aid package that can also include merit-based and need-based federal/state grants and loans. This layering of different funding sources enables many students to graduate debt-free.
Do I need to write an essay for scholarship consideration?
No, TMU does not require a separate scholarship essay as part of the application process. They will evaluate you holistically based on the information provided in your admissions application, including your transcript, test scores, activities, and recommendations. No extra work is needed on your part.
Are scholarships guaranteed for all 4 years if I maintain the GPA requirement?
As long as you meet the annual GPA renewal threshold listed for your particular scholarship tier, it will automatically continue to be disbursed each consecutive year until degree completion or four years total. However, the annual amount of your scholarship is not guaranteed to stay the same – in rare cases, TMU may increase, decrease, or cancel awards due to changes in institutional funding or your personal circumstances. However, maintaining the GPA ensures a high likelihood of full renewal.
Does participating in sports or the arts impact scholarship eligibility?
While academic performance is the primary factor considered for TMU Entrance Scholarships, leadership, and talents demonstrated through extracurricular involvement can strengthen an applicant’s profile. Earning varsity letters or starring in musicals/plays shows well-rounded commitments. Be sure to list all activities and accomplishments in the application, as these may serve as positive differentiators when the admissions committee is deciding between similarly qualified candidates. However, participation alone will not determine awards.
What if my grades slip in the second semester of senior year after already being admitted?
Grades between initial admission and high school graduation still factor into scholarship amounts. TMU reserves the right to revoke or lower admission offers and scholarships if end-of-senior-year performance dramatically declines. Do your best to maintain the standards that led to your positive admissions decision through the spring semester to help ensure that the desired aid is secured. Communicate any extenuating circumstances promptly with your admissions representative.
