NMU Announces New Transfer Scholarships

Northern has established four new scholarships for transfer students that will be awarded beginning with the fall semester. The amounts range from $500 to $2,000, based on grade-point average, which is similar to the approach used with freshmen scholarships. The new awards are part of a broader commitment to make Northern more “transfer-friendly” with the goal of attracting additional students.

“These scholarships replace the Transfer Merit Award, which required a minimum 3.5 GPA and was worth $1,000,” said Kevin Stulz (Admissions). “A 3.5 is great, but we’re also trying to recognize those working hard who haven’t quite reached that level. More transfer students will be eligible with the new awards and those with higher GPAs will actually receive more than they would have under the Transfer Merit Award.”

The new scholarship names, GPA criteria and value are:

▪Transfer Recognition Award, 3.0-3.24, $500

▪Transfer Achievement Award, 3.25-3.49, $1,000

▪Transfer Scholars Award, 3.50-3.74, $1,500

▪Transfer Excellence Award, 3.75-4.0, $2,000

Students who qualify for these scholarships may also receive the $500 PTK/AGS Award for Phi Theta Kappa or Alpha Gamma Sigma members and the $3,750 Transfer National Academic Award for non-Michigan students with a 3.0 GPA.

According to Northern’s 10th-day enrollment figures, there were 524 new transfers last fall, an increase of nearly 20 percent from the 437 reported in fall 2008.

“We had a nice bump last year,” said Stulz (pictured). “Historically there are ups and downs with the economy. Our freshman counselors are hearing from several students that they would like to attend Northern, but they need to stay closer to home for a while. Usually it’s because of finances, but sometimes it’s that they don’t feel ready yet or their parents don’t think they’re ready. We’re trying to build awareness and keep in touch with them by referring them to one of our two transfer counselors, Cary Vajda and Jess Jones.”

Vajda represents NMU in lower Michigan. Jones is responsible for the U.P. and other states. Admissions has sent letters announcing the scholarships to transfer applicants meeting the criteria. Admitted students who were eligible for the Transfer Merit Award were also notified that their scholarship amount will increase.