When you apply for admission to HMC as an incoming freshman, 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’ll 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
All freshman applicants are eligible for this award, including international applicants.  Harvey S. Mudd Scholars receive a $40,000 Scholarship distributed annually in the amount of $10,000 per year.  The award will be automatically renewed at the close of the second 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. 

We look for academic achievement, character, and leadership potential. All  first-year students choosing to enroll at HMC and who meet the qualifications below will receive the Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award:

• SAT Critical Reading Score: 700 or above
• SAT Writing Score: 700 or above
• SAT Math Score: 750 or above SAT
• Math 2 Subject Exam Score: 750 or above
• High school rank within the top 10% *

OR

• ACT English Score: 32 or above
• ACT Reading Score: 32 or above
• ACT Math Score: 34 or above
• SAT Math 2 Subject Exam Score: 750 or above
• High school rank within the top 10%*
  

*If your secondary school doesn’t provide rank or decile information, it’s your responsibility to contact your counselor or Registrar to request documentation to verify that you’re within the top 10 percent of your graduating class.  Usually this comes in the form of a brief letter or email from the counselor to the Office of Admission. Being in the top 10 percent of your class is a rigid requirement for this award. To be considered, be sure to take your SAT and/or ACT exams by the following dates:

• Early Decision:  take SAT by the November test date and/or the ACT by the October test date
• Regular Decision: take the SAT by the January test date and/or the ACT by the December test date
• SAT and ACT scores from exams taken after the time of admission are not considered for the Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award.

Eligibility is determined at the time of the admission decision only.

Starting in 2005, the maximum award provided by the Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award to newly enrolled students is $10,000 per year, in addition to any amount received through the HMC National Merit Scholarship. This policy isn’t retroactive: returning students who receive both awards will have their Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award reduced by the amount of the National Merit Scholarship.

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 an entering freshman 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 don’t 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 don’t apply for or don’t receive financial 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 don’t have to be a math major to be considered. To be considered, you must submit an online application to the Mathematics department.