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 IUP. 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 IUP. Additionally, each student is paired with a trained undergraduate mentor for the duration of their freshman year.
Ready to apply to the Crimson Scholars Circle?
Space is limited. .
Highlights of the Program
Crimson Scholars will arrive at IUP for Welcome Week on Saturday, August 17, 2025. 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 other.
Crimson Scholars will acquaint themselves with the IUP 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 IUP. 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.
Retention Component
Upon the start of the fall semester, Crimson Scholars will engage in a year-long series of learning and support activities. A comprehensive array of campus resources will equip you for collegiate, professional, and personal triumph. Students will have the opportunity to partake in:
- Networking with alumni, guest speakers, and mentorship programs facilitated by the Black Experience Alumni Committee
- Workshops on financial aid and the enhancement of financial literacy
- Academic assistance and group study sessions offered by the University College and Academic Support Center
- Career planning and development provided by the IUP Career and Professional Development Center
- Opportunities for leadership development, student involvement, and service-learning activities
- And much more
How to Apply to the Crimson Scholars Circle Program
- First, you'll need to apply to IUP and be accepted by November 15 for first consideration for the Crimson Scholars Circle Program. You must be a US citizen and have a permanent ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø residence.
- Next, complete the online Crimson Scholar Circle application. For best consideration, apply early. Applications will be considered based on a variety of factors, such as:
- Academic (2.5–2.99 GPA)
- Class rank
- Community involvement
- Extracurricular activity
- Be one of the first qualified students to apply, and you'll be invited to an interview event. Only 50 students will be selected to participate. If selected, you'll be scheduled for a 10-minute interview and have the chance to learn more about IUP and the Crimson Scholars Circle Program from IUP staff, alumni, and current students. Mark your calendar for this year’s program date and location.
- Crimson Scholars Circle Interview Program – Saturday, March 1st, 2025
- Location: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Sutton Hall Room 120, 1090 South Drive, Indiana, Pa 15705
- 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
To retain the scholarship, it is essential for Crimson Scholars to actively engage in Welcome Week and all specified programming and adhere to the outlined guidelines throughout the academic year. This includes attending a weekly one-on-one meeting with their peer mentor, as well as a one-hour interactive seminar that occurs weekly and is attended by all scholars and peer mentors. Furthermore, 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. It's important to keep in mind that 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 account.
How to Increase Your Crimson Scholars Circle Scholarship
To increase your scholarship award each year, the student must meet the following requirements:
- Meet and maintain the GPA requirement each year.
- Live on campus
After a student's first year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,000 CSC scholarship, totaling $1,250 for their sophomore year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,000 CSC scholarship, for a total of $1,500 for their sophomore year.
After a student’s second year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,250, totaling $1,500 for their junior year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,500 CSC scholarship, for a total of $2,000 for their junior year.
After a student’s third year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,500, totaling $1,750 for their senior year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,500 CSC scholarship, for a total of $2,000 for their senior year.
Testimonials
"When you become part of CSC you will get a family as soon as you get here. It helps you realize that there are other people like you that are most likely having the same problem. CSC helps you understand that it is all right to not be ok. College is hard and you need a support system. That is what CSC can provide you with. It helps you find some sort of identity here on campus and resources that help you later in your college career. You learn a lot about yourself and the people you should surround yourself around. There are people that will help you adapt and learn the IUP life early before everyone else gets here. If you are willing to accept and participate in CSC you will gain more than you think."
"Hello, my name is Briauna Booker, a senior attending IUP, and I believe the Crimson Scholar Circle is a great way for young black and brown students to get acclimated on campus. The CSC connects you to several other black and brown students as way to uplift and support each other while attending a predominantly white institution. This program gives an opportunity to make connections to various staff on campus who can provide a support system, whether it's help with scheduling classes to seeking aid for school. I can attest that the staff will get to know every member individually and support each person due to their separate needs. I believe that anyone who joins will also learn life skills that are crucial to being a college student, such as time management, dedication, how to work as a team/being a team player, organization, and budgeting. From our weekly meetings to parties in Folger Hall, the CSC is here for you and would love to be the first step you take on your college journey. As a member and previous mentor, the CSC is the perfect balance of learning life skills while having some fun."
“As a graduate assistant, the best, and most fulfilling part of the program is witnessing the growth and success of our students. I find joy in hearing the stories of how our students overcome their obstacles, accomplish their goals, and mature into amazing individuals. The CSC community is a fantastic resource to help students navigate through their college experience. With several workshops centered around career development, financial literacy, experiential learning, and problem solving, our students have the tools to not just succeed academically, but also develop as individuals. Having the opportunity to spend time with many of our students, I’ve learned that everyone has different experiences. There is not a one-size-fits-all college experience, and I believe it is important for our students to use their time at college to figure out who they are, as well as what goals they want to achieve.”
"I believe a prospective black or brown student who is admitted to IUP should participate in the CSC because it helps provide students with different resources that can help them navigate through college. Attending a PWI (predominately white institution) isn’t easy so having people in your corner helps. To add on it helps make the transition from high school to college easier because it allows you to meet a good number of individuals before seeing the thousands of other students on campus which can be overwhelming. You get a chance to hear very important people around campus speak and even get the chance to build a connection with them. Lastly, being a part of the program means you will never be alone throughout all your years at IUP. If the leaders in the program cannot help or answer your questions they will make sure to direct you to someone that can and will never leave you hanging."
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