Freshman Admission

The Bonner Service Scholars program is a four-year, developmental program that educates, equips, and inspires students to engage our local community and beyond through a partnership with the national Bonner Foundation. Bonner Service Scholars are placed on small, site-based teams and serve at least 10 hours each week during the school year, for a combined total of more than 250 hours each year. In addition to direct service, Bonners participate in program development, policy research, national conferences, skills trainings, and other development activities.

Criteria: Strongly demonstrated commitment to community engagement and civic involvement, affinity for working in teams, and high moral character.

Scholarship: $3,000 annual stipend upon completion of all Bonner Service Scholar Program requirements

How to Apply: An online application goes live annually in February on the CNU Engage website (https://cnuengage.org/programs/bonner/).

Canon Virginia, Inc. Leadership Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students with an interest in engineering or computer science. Students will be eligible for a paid summer internship with Canon Virginia, Inc. after their junior year.

Criteria: Students offered admission to the President's Leadership Program with an intended major in computer engineering, computer science or electrical engineering who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.6 and 1310 SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) or 28 ACT. We consider students who apply as test-optional with added emphasis on high school curriculum rigor, as well as all other credentials and application materials (including interview).

Scholarship: Renewable $5,000 scholarship.

How to Apply: Qualified candidates offered admission to the President's Leadership Program and listing computer engineering, computer science or electrical engineering as their intended field of study will be considered.

Ferguson Enterprises Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students based on special talent and potential demonstrated during audition performance.

Criteria: Extraordinary talent and ongoing commitment to artistic excellence, outstanding academic merit, dedication to service through the arts and an intent to major in music or theater.

Scholarship: $2,500 or $5,000 renewable scholarship.

How to Apply: Select an intended major in music or theater on the Common Application, and register for an audition through the Department of Music or the Department of Theater and Dance.

The Honors Program features stimulating interdisciplinary seminar courses and requires at least two honors inquiries chosen from study abroad, independent research, civic engagement or internships. Honors students are also afforded more academic freedom, with seminar coursework satisfying the liberal learning core requirements.

Criteria: Minimum 3.75 cumulative high school GPA and 1310 SAT score (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) or 28 ACT composite score. We consider students applying as test-optional with added emphasis on high school curriculum rigor, as well as all other credentials and application materials (including interview).

Scholarship: Renewable $5,000 - $10,000 residential scholarship, plus a study abroad scholarship. Students selected to participate in both the President's Leadership Program and Honors Program only receive one scholarship.

How to Apply: Select “Yes” for honors interest in the Scholarships section of the Common Application, submit the supplemental essay when prompted and schedule the required interview.

Preference is given to applicants who complete the required essays and interview by December 15. Those who meet the priority deadline will be notified via mail on February 1. The final deadline to apply and interview is February 15 with notification on April 1.

Christopher Newport offers merit scholarships to qualified out-of-state high school students who enroll in college for the first time for the fall 2024 academic year. The scholarships partially offset the higher cost of attendance rates for non-residents.

Criteria: Qualify for freshman admission as a non-resident for tuition purposes. Only new freshmen are eligible for consideration, beginning in fall 2024.

Scholarship: Renewable $3,000-$5,000 scholarship based on holistic review of cumulative high school academic performance.

How to Apply: Prospective students offered direct admission contingent upon verification of credentials are notified directly by the Office of Admission. Other out-of-state admission applicants are awarded on a time- and fund-available basis after the official notification date for their chosen application type.

The President’s Leadership Program is for high-achieving students who have shown a passion for engagement while in high school, and who demonstrate leadership potential. This program integrates the academic study of leadership, service learning and personal development.

Criteria: Competitive applicants typically have at least a 3.5 GPA and a 1250 SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) or 26 ACT composite score. We consider students who apply as test-optional with added emphasis on high school curriculum rigor, as well as all other credentials and application materials (including interview).

Scholarship: Renewable $1,000 - $10,000 residential scholarship, plus a study abroad scholarship. Students selected to participate in both the President's Leadership Program and Honors Program only receive one scholarship.

How to Apply: Select “Yes” for PLP interest in the Scholarships section of the Common Application, submit the supplemental essay when prompted and schedule the required interview.

Preference is given to applicants who complete the required essays and interview by December 15. Those who meet the priority deadline will be notified via mail on February 1. The final deadline to apply and interview is February 15 with notification on April 1.

Chosen from among the top incoming pre-med scholars, RMG Scholars are mentored by Riverside Health System physicians and gain clinical experiences through summer medical rotations, as well as other medical education activities.

Criteria: Minimum 3.75 cumulative high school GPA and 1310 SAT score (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) or 28 ACT cumulative score. We consider students applying as test-optional with added emphasis on high school curriculum rigor, as well as all other credentials and application materials (including interview).

Scholarship: $2,500 scholarship freshman year, renewable increase to $5,000 annually sophomore through senior year.

How to Apply: After being offered admission, qualified applicants who selected pre-med as their intended field of study will be invited to submit an additional essay about their interest in studying medicine.