Honors programs and the aid that comes with them

What honors programs offer

Some colleges attach a scholarship to admission into the honors program or honors college. Others offer no money directly but give priority registration, honors housing, smaller classes or research support. At some colleges the honors scholarship is the same as the highest merit award from admissions, while at others it is a separate award added on.

Admission to honors can be automatic for students with certain grades, or it can need its own application with essays and an interview. The honors application deadline may come before the general admission deadline, so check the honors office's page when you first apply.

Requirements that keep the benefits

Honors scholarships usually carry the program's academic requirements. Common ones include a minimum grade average, a set number of honors courses each year, participation in honors events and a senior thesis or project. Missing one can lead to probation in the program, and leaving the program often ends the scholarship.

Read the honors handbook alongside your award letter, because the two may set different standards. The honors office decides your standing in the program, and the aid office handles the money. When a problem comes up, contact both.

Grants for research and travel

Many honors programs hold small grants for research, conference travel, study abroad or summer projects. These usually require a proposal and a faculty mentor, and they open on the program's own schedule. They are reported to the aid office like other scholarships and count toward your total aid.

Ask the honors office for a list of these grants in your first year. Planning a thesis or a term abroad early gives you time to apply when the deadlines come.