Messiah University Honors Program
The Messiah University Honors Program helps bright, curious students who wish to further hone their gifts and talents within a community that is both challenging and supportive. The Honors Program exemplifies Messiah's commitment to academic excellence and fostering and intellectually rigorous Christian world view.
Admission to the program is highly competitive; an invitation to interview does not guarantee admission to the Honors Program. There are three different levels of Honors Program Scholarships that can be earned and all come with an opportunity to participate in the Honors Program. Students who are selected to receive an invitation to the Honors Program receive either full tuition (Trustees') or partial tuition (President's or Faculty) scholarships.
To qualify, first-year applicants must complete the Messiah University application process prior to Feb.1.
Test Score Submitting Applicants
The majority of students who are invited to interview for the Messiah University Honors Program will apply as a test score submitter. These applicants must submit a combination of SAT, ACT or CLT scores as well as a cumulative high school GPA that falls within the parameters of the following chart.These applicants will automatically receive an invitation to interview for the Honors Program. Eligible applicants will be notified with their admissions decision.
Test Optional Applicants
A small group of test-optional applicants will be invited to interview for the Messiah University Honors Program. These applicants will be holistically reviewed by a committee and must demonstrate evidence of excellence in their cumulative high school GPA, class rank, performance in several college-credit courses, as well as areas of involvement and recognition included on the application. Many of these applicants will exhibit a 4.0 GPA as well as completed or be in progress of of at least 6 AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses in order to be considered for an invitation. Eligible applicants will be notified with their admissions decision.
Honors Program Scholarship Days
All candidates who are invited to interview for the Honors Program will participate in an Honors Program Scholarship Day. These events, which take place from December through February, allow participants to learn more about what they can experience as members of the Messiah University Honors Program. The events will also feature one-on-one interviews and time to complete a brief written response. Recipients of these premier scholarships will be selected by a committee and notified of decisions in March once all interviews are completed.
Note: Honors Program Scholarships are not available to transfer students or students starting in the spring semester.
Do you have questions about the Honors Program and your eligibility to be invited for an interview?
Ask your admissions counselor.
Trustees' Scholarship
An estimated 4 Trustees’ Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- The amount is equal to 100 percent of the student's first year tuition costs and is frozen at that amount for the duration of the student's academic career.
- This scholarship replaces the Provost’s Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University merit scholarship.
- Trustees' Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University and frozen at an amount equal to 100 percent of that student's first year tuition cost.
- Trustees' Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
President's Scholarship
An estimated 70 President’s Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $5,000 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts scholarships.
- President's Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- President's Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
Faculty Scholarship
An estimated 40 Faculty Scholarships are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $1,500 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts scholarships.
- Faculty Scholarships are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- Faculty Scholarships are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.
Distinguished Scholar Award
Distinguished Scholar Awards are awarded each academic year to incoming first-year students who have demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership and Christian character. This award is given to students who interview for the Messiah University Honors Program but are not selected to receive an opportunity to participate in the program.
- Each student selected for this award receives a $1,000 scholarship that is combined with the Provost's Scholarship, which is awarded upon acceptance. It cannot be combined with any other Messiah University premier scholarships, including Multicultural Program Scholarships or Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships.
- Students who receive the Distinguished Scholar Award are not eligible for participation in the Honors Program.
- Distinguished Scholar Awards are renewable to the recipient for three (3) subsequent years at Messiah University.
- Distinguished Scholar Awards are renewed each year provided you make satisfactory academic progress. Messiah's satisfactory academic progress policy and related requirements are available for review on our Financial Aid Policies webpages.