Automatic Merit Scholarships
Academically talented students will automatically be offered these merit scholarships at the time of admission.
These scholarships for first-time students are automatically renewable for a total of 4 years (8 semesters). Eligible students are required to maintain full-time consecutive undergraduate enrollment in fall and spring semesters and maintain specific GPA requirements noted below. Recipients must be admitted by August 1; transcripts can be updated through August 19 to qualify for the scholarship or qualify for a higher amount. International undergraduate students on current visas (F1, J1) are not eligible for freshman merit or transfer merit scholarships.
| GPA | Award | |
|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Merit Scholarship | 3.85-4.0 | $16,000* ($4,000 Annually) |
| High Achieving Merit Scholarship | 3.60-3.84 | $12,000* ($3,000 Annually) |
| Academic Merit Scholarship | 3.0-3.59 | $8,000* ($2,000 Annually) |
*Renewable up to 8 consecutive fall and spring semesters if renewal criteria is met.
Renewal Criteria: Student must maintain the following cumulative GPA at Eastern Illinois University, with continuous full-time enrollment of 12+ hours.
- Distinguished Merit: 3.0 GPA
- High Achieving Merit: 2.75 GPA
- Academic Merit: 2.5 GPA