At Central Methodist University, named Endowed Scholarships providing annual student awards begin at the $10,000 endowment level. Endowed Scholarships may be established to benefit “deserving and promising students” or students with a preference for a particular discipline or area of study ( ie. music, religion, philosophy, biology) or students directed toward a particular career (i.e. ministry, teaching, nursing). The fewer the restrictions, the easier it is to award scholarships to deserving students. Additional gifts added over a period of time may increase an Endowed Scholarship to a Hall of Sponsors Scholarship.
Endowed Scholarships are publicized in Central Methodist University publications, including The Talon, Central’s alumni magazine.
The Hall of Sponsors Scholarships are Central Methodist University’s most prestigious Endowed Scholarships and are funded with endowments at three levels. Gifts totaling $30,000 establish a traditional Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, which provides a named, annual award. Gifts totaling $75,000 establish a Presidential Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a highly meritorious student. Gifts totaling $175,000 establish a Trustee Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the most extraordinary of CMU students.
A framed portrait of the honored person is displayed in Brannock Hall in the Hall of Sponsors Gallery, accompanied by a nameplate with the scholarship name. A photograph of the current scholar is displayed beside the portrait. There are also opportunities to inform the scholarship recipients about the donors and about the life and work of the person whom the scholarship honors.
Scholarships can be built over a period of time, and may be funded through an outright gift or gifts from one or many people, through an annuity, through estate planning, or through a combination of these methods. In addition, scholarship donors always have the opportunity to increase an Endowed Scholarship to a traditional Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, to a Presidential Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, or to a Trustee Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. Working individuals, families, businesses, churches, and groups of persons have established scholarships at Central Methodist University.
Almost every Central student receives some financial aid. Annually, Central commits nearly one-third of the operating budget to student financial aid, a higher percentage than most institutions our size. Central Methodist is committed to serving promising students regardless of means and traditionally scholarship recipients include a high number of first-generation college students.
Scholarships attract students—students who have excelled academically, students who have demonstrated leadership, students who pursue designated careers, areas of academic study, or involvement in designated activities. Scholarships enable talented young people to benefit from unique educational experiences at Central Methodist University.
If you have any questions about endowed scholarships or the Hall of Sponsors please contact Daytha Trimble toll free at 1-877-CMU-1854 ext. 56278 or by e-mail at dtrimble@centralmethodist.edu.