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What is the Crimson Scholars Circle Program?

The Crimson Scholars Circle Program is a specialized cohort program aimed at providing students with comprehensive financial, social, and academic support to thrive at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. The program is tailored to help students excel, forge connections, access resources, and develop effective academic strategies. Selected students are granted a renewable $1,000 scholarship, with the possibility of increasing the award based on their academic performance at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Additionally, each student is paired with a trained undergraduate mentor for the duration of their freshman year.

Highlights of the Program

You will begin your college experience early through your participation in Early Emersion Week (August 12–14), which will lead into Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Welcome Week (August 15–23). This week offers students the chance to meet their peer mentors, participate in workshops, and begin developing the academic skills and strategies necessary for college success. As members of the Crimson Scholar Circle Living Learning Community, students will have the opportunity to connect with each other.

Crimson Scholars will acquaint themselves with the Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus and staff. Throughout their first year at college, students will attend weekly group meetings and workshops, where they will receive valuable information on topics such as financial aid and career development, all while enjoying catered lunches. 

Crimson Scholar Peer Mentors meet with students on a weekly basis. These sessions, along with the larger community of Crimson Scholars, aim to provide support and strengthen relationships at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Peer mentors in the Crimson Scholars Circle are current students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who are in good standing with the university. Mentors who have weekly meetings with their mentees and participate in the one-hour interactive seminars will receive a $1,000 scholarship during the year. They will also have regular meetings with each other and with the CSC professional staff. Each student selected for the Crimson Scholars Circle will receive a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for all four years they are in good standing, with $500 applied towards the tuition bill in the fall semester and $500 applied in the spring semester. Based on academic success each year, students will be re-evaluated for additional scholarship money.

How to Apply to the Crimson Scholars Circle Program

1. Be one of the first students to apply, and you’ll be invited to participate in a Zoom interview. If selected, you’ll be scheduled for a 10-minute interview and have the chance to learn more about Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the Crimson Scholars Circle Program from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Admissions staff.
2. Mark your calendar for this year’s program date and location.
   • Zoom Interview dates and times
     • Dates: March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
     • Times: 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
3.  All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure they qualify for maximum aid opportunities.

Requirements to Retain Your Scholarship

Crimson Scholars Circle students engage in a year-long series of learning and support activities that include:

• Networking with alumni, guest speakers, and mentorship programs facilitated by the Black Experience Alumni Committee
• Career planning and development provided by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Career and Professional Development Center
• Opportunities for leadership development, student involvement, and service-learning activities

To retain the scholarship, it is essential for Crimson Scholars to complete all required retention components:

• Actively engage in Welcome Week and all specified programming
• Attend a weekly one-on-one meeting with their peer mentor,
• Attend a one-hour interactive seminar that occurs weekly and is attended by all scholars and peer mentors.
• First-year Crimson Scholars are expected to reside in the Crimson Scholars Living Learning Community, located in Stephenson Hall, where they can build connections with peers and cultivate a sense of community.
• If a scholar withdraws from the program before the end of the academic year, they will forfeit their scholarship, leading to a negative impact on the student’s account.

How to Increase Your Crimson Scholars Circle Scholarship

To increase your scholarship award each year, the student must meet the following requirements: 

• Engage actively in mandatory events and meetings (averaging approx. 25 hours per semester during the first year and approx.10 hours per semester in subsequent years)

• Meet and maintain the GPA requirement each year
• Live on campus