The Centennial Scholars Program (CSP) at James Madison University provides financial support to talented Pell grant-eligible students from the Commonwealth of Virginia with an emphasis on first-generation students or students with limited prior exposure to or knowledge of the college process. This highly competitive award is open to incoming first-year and transfer students as well as current JMU students.

Students who are accepted into CSP (referred to as "Centennials") are awarded a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants totaling the cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. Centennials must meet program-specific need-based eligibility requirements in future years to maintain the full value of the award.

To be considered eligible for the Centennial Scholars Program, all applicants must…

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 01, 2025,
• Be subsequently deemed eligible for the Federal Pell Grant,
• Qualify for in-state tuition, and
• Demonstrate exemplary academic performance as defined below:

Incoming first-year and transfer students must exhibit high performance in a rigorous course load.

Current JMU students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.