The Honors Program at Ferris State University requires a separate application from the one you completed to attend Ferris.
Eligibility and Application Processes
For First Year students (most recent full-time education was high school)
Students who have applied to Ferris State University who meet two of the following three criteria are invited to apply for the Honors program:
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- 25 ACT composite or 1150 SAT (combining math and reading scores) or higher.
- Ranked in the top 10% of graduating class by GPA.
Students who are close to meeting the criteria for invitation and have records of significant and meaningful extracurricular academic achievement (Odyssey of the Mind, Editor of Student Newspaper / Yearbook, Debate/Forensics, etc.), outstanding community service or exemplary leadership positions will be considered for invitation following individual review of those credentials by the Honors Program staff.
To apply to the Honors program, each student must complete an application (Available at https://ferris.edu/honors/)
A student must be admitted to Ferris State University before being admitted to the Honors program. If you have not completed an Undergraduate Student application to Ferris State University, the application can be found at www.ferris.edu/admissions/homepage.htm.
For Transfer students (most recent full-time education was in college)
To apply to the Honors program as a transfer student, each student must
- Complete a Ferris Honors Transfer application
- Deadline to apply for Spring semester is December 1.
- Deadline to apply for Fall semester is July 15.
- Students must apply to Ferris State University and then apply to Honors (separate applications).
- Criteria:
- 3.30 cumulative college GPA in at least 12 credits, none of which are remedial or developmental classes.
- No academic or conduct violations at previous institution
- Previous membership in Honors Program, or completion of Honors coursework, if available.
Honors Orientation
The Honors Program admits students on a rolling basis starting in late March to May 1. Students who attended the Honors Invitational will be the first to be be notified of admission to Honors.
If you are accepted into Honors, you will automatically be placed in an Honors Orientation session after you confirm your acceptance with the Honors Program Office.
Honors Halls
The Honors Program at Ferris State offers a residential option for students in dedicated Honors halls. Many of the rooms in these halls are set up to be single occupancy, but there are some double occupancy rooms available. There is a surcharge for the cost of the single / private room which will be partially offset by the Honors Residential Life Scholarship.
Students are required to live in an Honors hall if they are required to live on campus according to the residential life policy of the University. Typically, this means for the students' first year. Honors students are welcome to continue to live in our halls beyond the requirements of the university, but the Honors Residential Life Scholarship will no longer be available. Other incentives, such as the Sophomore, Junior and Senior Incentives, will be available for these students.
Financial Aid
The Honors office is not qualified to discuss specifics of financial aid, but certain is willing to help where we can. The basics of the automatic scholarship program Ferris offers, along with the Honors Residential Life Scholarship are available on the Honors Financial Aid page.
For any further questions or concerns, please get in touch with the University's Financial Aid Office.
Honors Move-in day / fun day for Honors halls is typically the day before (Thursday) move-in day for the campus. This gives the Honors Peer Mentors the opportunity to meet their mentees and engage in some leadership development exercises (as well as mixers) on what we call 'Fun Day'.
Students who cannot attend Fun Day (such as fall athletes) should contact the Honors office prior to arrival, so we can inform your peer mentor.
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Students with disabilities requiring assistance or accommodation may contact Educational Counseling & Disabilities Services at (231) 591-3057 in Big Rapids. Employees and other members of the University community with disabilities requiring assistance or accommodation may contact the Human Resources Department, 420 Oak Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307 or call (231) 591-2150.
Inquiries or complaints of discrimination may be addressed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 120 East Cedar Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307 or by telephone at (231) 591-2152; or Title IX Coordinator, 805 Campus Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307, or by telephone at (231) 591-2088.
