When you apply for admission to HMC as a first-year student, you may be considered for our merit-based awards. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement and encourage the best and the brightest to join the HMC community. In many instances, you’ll be considered for these awards automatically when you apply for admission. Review each award description to determine whether you need to submit any additional application forms or credentials.

Please note: The Office of Admission, not the Office of Financial Aid, determines your eligibility for merit-based awards. If you have questions about your eligibility for merit awards, please consult the Office of Admission. 

Eligibility
HMC’s Merit-Based Award Programs

Eligibility
In determining who will receive our merit-based awards, the Office of Admission looks primarily at academic achievement—financial need is not considered. Transfer students are not eligible for merit award programs.

While these awards are granted independent of financial need, if you receive a merit-based award and are also eligible for need-based aid, your merit award will be included in the aid provided to meet your need. Thus, the amount of other aid you receive may be reduced. A merit-based award will not reduce your family’s calculated contribution. Learn more about how HMC determines your financial need.

HMC’s Merit-Based Award Programs

Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award

Harvey S. Mudd Scholars receive a $40,000 Scholarship distributed annually in the amount of $10,000 per year.  For the entering class of 2010, the award will be offered to the top students in the admitted pool who demonstrate superior academic achievement and ability to contribute to the college community.

The award will be automatically renewed at the close of the first year. In order to renew the award in subsequent years, recipients must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 by the conclusion of each spring term. Renewal of the award is contingent upon eight consecutive semesters of enrollment, with the exception of study abroad or an approved leave of absence. 

President's Scholars Program (PSP)
This renewable, four-year full-tuition scholarship promotes excellence and diversity at HMC by recognizing outstanding young men and women from populations that are traditionally underrepresented at HMC. The award is intended to foster these students’ potential as future leaders in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. The PSP program requires application credentials in addition to your admission application.

Beginning in fall 2005, if a first-year student receives both the HMC-sponsored National Merit Scholarship and the President's Scholar Award, the President's Scholar Award will be added to the amount of the HMC-sponsored National Merit Scholarship. President's Scholars Program award recipients are ineligible for the Harvey S Mudd Award.

National Merit Award
HMC National Merit Scholarships are awarded to National Merit finalists who name HMC as their first choice school and who do not receive either a corporate-sponsored or a one-time National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship. HMC National Merit Scholarships range from $750 to $2,000 per year depending on financial need and grade level. Qualifying National Merit finalists who do not apply for or do not receive inancial assistance will be awarded the minimum award of $750 or $1,000 per year, depending upon grade level. You must be enrolled at least full time (12 units) to remain eligible to receive this award. More information is available from The National Merit Scholarship Corporation at (847) 866-5100.

"RIF" scholarship
Each year, the Mathematics department offers the RIF Scholarship. This is a one-year, non-renewable award for up to three incoming HMC students who demonstrate exceptional mathematical ability. Award amounts vary from year to year, with a minimum scholarship amount of $1,000. The scholarship is not need-based, and you do not have to be a math major to be considered. To be considered, you must submit an online application to the Mathematics department. 

FIRST Scholarship
Effective for the fall 2010 semester, Harvey Mudd College is pleased to offer one $10,000 scholarship to a student who has participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition in high school. The scholarship is renewable for three years for a total of $40,000. The scholarship will be automatically renewed at the end of a student's first year and will be renewed thereafter providing the student maintains a 2.75 cumulative GPA at the end of sophomore and junior year. Preference will be given to students traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields.

To be considered for the scholarship a student must be: 
1) A senior in high school.
2) Applicant to the first year class of Harvey Mudd College, although only enrolled students will receive the scholarship.

To apply for the scholarship:
1) Complete all admission requirements for Harvey Mudd College by the application deadline of January 2nd.

2) By January 25th, submit a brief paragraph (no more than 150 words) explaining how your participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition has affected your interest in the science, technology, and math fields. Given Harvey Mudd College's emphasis on collaboration rather than competition, we would also be interested in hearing about how your view of teamwork was affected by this experience.
3) If you have a résumé available, please include it with your paragraph. Inclusion of a résumé is optional.

The application, paragraph (and résumé) can be sent to the Office of Admission at one of the following addresses:

Office of Admission
Harvey Mudd College
301 Platt Blvd
Claremont CA 91711

or email to admission@hmc.edu. 

Last Updated: October 2009