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On-Campus Bachelor's Degree Scholarships & Grants
At Cornerstone University, we are committed to making college affordable for students through federal, state and CU scholarship and grant programs. Scholarships are available for students based on merit, while grants are available based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarship and grant programs are only applicable towards a student’s first bachelor’s degree with few exceptions.
Currently Still Awarding
New Student Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are available year-round. Determine your first-year student award based on the chart below. Transfer students with less than 24 college credits will be awarded a first-year student award.
Transfer students with 24 or more completed college credits will be awarded based on the transfer academic chart.
Freshman Academic Scholarships
| GPA | Scholarship | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 & above | President's Scholarship | $6,000 per year |
| 3.5-3.99 | Chancellor's Scholarship | $4,000 per year |
| 3.25-3.49 | Dean's Scholarship | $3,000 per year |
| 3.0-3.24 | Partners for Success Award | $2,000 per year |
| 2.5-2.99 | Cornerstone University Assistance | $1,000 per year |
Transfer Academic Scholarships
| GPA | Scholarship | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 and above | Dean's Scholarship | $3,000 per year |
| 3.0-3.49 | Partners for Success Award | $2,000 per year |
| 2.5-2.99 | Cornerstone University Assistance | $1,000 per year |
New Student Scholarships
| Scholarship | More Info/Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Athletic Scholarships - Ranges from $500-full tuition coverage | Recruit Me! |
| President’s Fellows Program - $10,000 annually | Learn More Deadline passed for 24/25 |
| Leadership Scholarship - $1,000 annually Candidate Qualifications: - Incoming freshman or transfer students - 3.0+ GPA - Recommendation letter | Deadline passed for 24/25 |
| Missionary Family Scholarship - $1,000 annually Candidate Qualifications: - Incoming freshman or transfer students - 3.0+ GPA - Recommendation letter | Deadline passed for 24/25 |
| Music Scholarships - Ranges from $500-$4,000 annually | Learn More |
| Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship - $1,000 annually Candidate Qualifications: - Transfer student for the upcoming fall semester. Recommenders: - Submit the recommendation form here. | Apply |
| Short Story Scholarship Contest - Varies Candidate Qualifications: - Incoming freshman or transfer student for the upcoming fall semester. - Must be applied to Cornerstone for the upcoming fall semester by the submission deadline. | Deadline passed for 24/25 |
| Donor-Funded Scholarships - Varies | Learn More |
Cornerstone Grants
Various grants (free money) are available to new and returning students each year through Cornerstone University and local state, and federal agencies.
Cornerstone Influence Grant
The Cornerstone Influence Grant assists students with their financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The amount of the grant (free gift aid) varies.
Cornerstone Commitment Grant
Eligible students who receive the Cornerstone Commitment Grant pay no out-of-pocket tuition when they enroll at Cornerstone. This grant covers the remaining cost of tuition for students who receive a Pell grant (in any amount), Michigan Tuition Grant and the maximum Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Eligible new on-campus students will be awarded a combination of scholarships and grants (free gift aid) which will cover the full cost of tuition.
Eligibility deadline: must have a submitted and processed FAFSA by July 1 to be considered. FAFSA’s take 3-5 days to process.
Cornerstone Ministry Major Grant
The Cornerstone Ministry Major Grant is provided to Michigan residents who are ineligible for the Michigan Tuition Grant due to their enrollment in a Christian Ministry major. Students must have attained junior or senior status and otherwise demonstrate eligibility for the MTG to be eligible for this grant. The amount of the grant is one-half of the state grant eligibility for the year.
Eligibility deadline: must have a submitted and processed FAFSA by July 1 to be considered. FAFSA’s take 3-5 days to process.
State & Local Aid
Michigan Tuition Grant
The MI Tuition Grant is awarded by the state to Michigan residents who qualify according to FAFSA information. This grant awards up to $3,000.
Eligibility deadline: must have a submitted and processed FAFSA by July 1 to be considered. FAFSA’s take 3-5 days to process.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The MI Achievement Scholarship is awarded by the state to 2023 and later Michigan high school graduates who qualify according to FAFSA information. This grant awards a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $4,000.
Michigan Future Educator Fellowship
The MI Future Educator Fellowship will offer up to $10,000 in aid for students demonstrating financial need for up to three years. Learn more and apply here.
Qualifications:
- File a FAFSA.
- Be admitted to a teacher education program in Fall 2022 or later.
- Have earned at least 56 credits.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
This Fellowship requires a recipient to serve in Michigan classrooms. One year of funding requires three years of service, and each additional year of funding adds a year of service (tw0 years of grants require four years of service, and three years of grants require five years of service). Service obligations may be less in critical needs districts. If the requirement to serve is not met, the grant funds convert to a 0% interest loan with a repayment period of 10 years.
Michigan Future Educator Stipend
The MI Future Educator Stipend is a $9,600 stipend paid to students during the student teaching semester to support Michigan’s hardworking student teachers as they continue their journey to being in the classroom full-time. Learn more and apply here.
Community Foundations
Community Foundations across the country are designed to provide grant funding and scholarship support for residents of their community, even if you attend school outside your community. Most often, scholarship and grant deadlines are in the spring for awards disbursed the following academic year. To find your local community foundation, search your hometown, county, or nearest city and “community foundation” or “area foundation.” Examples include the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Fremont Area Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation for the Holland/Zeeland Area.
Federal Aid
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need based on FAFSA information. Federal Pell Grants are awarded up to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Eligible students can receive additional grant funding for summer enrollment.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need based on FAFSA information. This grant is much smaller than the Federal Pell Grant due to limited funding.
Federal TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach: in a high-need field; at an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.
Qualifications
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
- Receive TEACH Grant counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
- Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
Please Note: If you do not complete your service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant was disbursed.
Federal Loans
For more federal aid opportunities, explore federal loan options.
External Scholarships
Additional external scholarships are also available. Consider applying for external funding awarded by businesses and organizations. Here are some helpful tips for finding private scholarships:
- Search for scholarships based on your interests, hobbies, or involvements. The more niche and specific you are, the more competitive you may be.
- Set aside consistent time each week to apply for scholarships.
- Save your essays and long answers. Often scholarships will ask for submissions along similar themes. Don’t reinvent the wheel every time!
- As with any activity on the internet, be aware of scams. Often, scams will ask you to take immediate action, provide personal and sensitive information, sound too good to be true, and include typos or just seem “off.” Trust your gut, and don’t give any information you don’t feel comfortable providing.
Net Price Calculator
To get a good idea of what your degree may cost and what financial aid you may qualify for, use the Net Price Calculator.
Admissions Office
Contact
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- 616.949.5300
Hours
MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5. p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed