Honors Scholarship

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Honors Scholarship Opportunities

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) awards scholarships to eligible students who have lawful presence in the United States. 

Honors Achievement Award

The Honors Achievement Award (HAA) is granted in recognition of a student’s efforts while participating in the Honors Program. The award amount ranges from $244 to $500, depending on how many college credits within the Maricopa County Community College District are started and are successfully completed during the current semester. Students may only participate in the Honors Program at one college at a time.

Scholarship Award Amounts

  • $500 for 12+ credit hours a semester
  • $325 for 9 - 11 credit hours a semester
  • $244 for 6 - 8 credit hours a semester

Eligibility Requirements

  • Have lawful residence in the United States
  • Have completed 12 college-level credits within the MCCCD
  • Have a cumulative MCCCD GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Plan to enroll in at least one Honors course

Upon Acceptance

After students are accepted for the Honors Achievement Award, the following are required to receive the award funds:

  • Successful completion of six or more credits in college-level courses and the HONORS100-00HAA non-credit course
  • Successful completion (grade of C or higher) of at least one three-credit Honors course
  • Cumulative MCCCD GPA of 3.25 or higher and completion of one co-curricular activity by the end of the semester
  • Good standing status with Rio Salado College

It may take 1-2 weeks to process your Honors Program application. We will verify your eligibility and then contact you via email. If you are not eligible at the time that you apply, we will send you an email explaining the reason and letting you know if there is anything you need to do to become eligible. Students must reapply for the HAA scholarship each semester.

Funding

  • You must pay for all courses up front or establish a payment plan before the due date listed on your statement.
  • Funds are requested after you have completed all courses each semester. The number of successfully completed college-level credits determines your award amount.

Note: If you received a federal financial aid package that has maxed out your Cost of Attendance, you will receive your Honors Achievement Award by a reduction in your unsubsidized loan package.

Apply for the Honors Achievement 

Foundation Scholarship

Rio Salado awards the Foundation Scholarship of up to $1,000 each year to one student or $500 per year to two students in addition to the Honors Achievement Award (HAA) funds. The application process begins in February, and scholarship recipients are notified in April. 

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria, in addition to maintaining lawful presence and in-county residency:

  • Current HAA student
  • Cumulative MCCCD GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Plan to enroll full-time during the fall and spring

Upon Acceptance

After students are awarded the Foundation Scholarship, the following are required each semester:

  • Full-time enrollment for the duration of the scholarship and remain in good standing with Rio Salado College
  • Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours each semester, including at least one 3-credit Honors course
  • Cumulative MCCCD GPA of 3.25 or higher and completion of one co-curricular activity
  • Successful completion of HONORS100-00HAA non-credit course

Foundation Scholarship funds are awarded at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

Apply for the Foundation Scholarship

Chancellor’s Scholarship

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded each year and covers one year of full in-county tuition (up to 18 credits per semester), fees and $250 for books/supplies. This award cannot be held concurrently with any other Honors scholarship. Students must take at least 12 credit hours per fall and spring semester to receive this scholarship.

The application process begins in February of each year. Scholarship recipients are notified in April.

Eligibility

Students must meet the following criteria, in addition to lawful presence and in-county residency:

  • Current Honors Achievement Award student
  • Cumulative MCCCD GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Plan to enroll full-time during the upcoming fall and spring semesters

Upon Acceptance

If you are awarded the Chancellor's Scholarship, the following is required both semesters:

  • Full-time enrollment for the duration of the scholarship and a maintained MCCCD cumulative 3.25 or higher GPA
  • Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours each semester, including at least one 3-credit Honors course
  • Completion of two co-curricular activities and remain in good standing with Rio Salado
  • Successfully complete the HONORS100-00PHS non-credit course

Apply for the Chancellor's Scholarship

Presidents’ Honors Scholarship

The Presidents’ Honors Scholarship (PHS) covers in-county (Maricopa County) tuition of up to 15 credit hours, as well at the $15 registration fee each semester. The scholarship covers up to four academic fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility

Scholarship candidates must have:

  • Completion of a secondary education program in Maricopa County (including NCA-accredited, charter, private, religious high schools, homeschool) with a final, unweighted, GPA of 3.25 or higher.
  • Enrollment at the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) campus of their choice within one academic year (two academic semesters) following high school graduation or equivalency without having attended another accredited college or university (co-enrollment, dual enrollment and summer session excluded).
  • Lawful presence and in-county residency. Scholarships awarded by the MCCCD require students to have lawful presence in the United States and live in Maricopa County (referred to as "in-county residency").

Awards will be applied to your student account based on your establishment of eligibility and based on lawful presence in U.S. on HB2008 requirements and financial aid.

Required Application Materials

  • Completion of the online PHS application.
  • An official final semester high school transcript must be sent via U.S. mail or official college electronic transfer system (e.g. Parchment) to the college Admissions and Records Office of the Maricopa County Community College that you plan to attend. 
    A copy can also be sent to the college Honors Program Office. It must be impressed and sealed by the high school and show your graduation date and final cumulative grade point average. You can inquire with the college Honors Program for homeschool high school transcript guidelines.

Your scholarship cannot be awarded until your final transcript has been received. Hand-delivered transcripts are not considered official.

Upon Acceptance

After students are accepted for the PHS, the following is required:

  • Successfully complete 12 credit hours each concurrent fall and spring semester, including at least 1 Honors course (3 regular classes and 1 Honors course will count so long as the total credit hours earned is 12)
  • Maintain an MCCCD cumulative grade-point-average of 3.25 or higher and be in good standing with Rio Salado
  • Complete two co-curricular activities per semester
  • Successfully complete HONORS100-00PHS non-credit course each semester

Note: Dual Enrollment grades earned during high school are counted in your cumulative GPA computation.

This scholarship does not cover:

  • Any expenses for pass/fail courses with this exception: If pass/fail courses are required for specific degrees/programs, they fall within the scholarship guidelines
  • Tuition for summer session

Funding

  • PHS funds are awarded after all semester courses have passed their first week.
  • A past due balance shows in your student center until disbursement of funds.
  • The Honors Department will place a Hold on your account to prevent you from being dropped from your classes for non-payment.

PHS Probation and Termination

A Presidents' Honors Scholar whose cumulative Maricopa GPA, including all credits, falls below 3.25 but above 3.0 at the end of the first semester will be placed on probation. The student’s cumulative Maricopa GPA must be raised to 3.25 prior to beginning the third semester;

Students are not eligible for renewal of the scholarship if:

  • The cumulative Maricopa GPA, including ALL credits, is below 3.0 at the end of the first semester,
  • They receive less than a “C” grade in their Honors course,
  • They do not complete the minimum number of required co-curricular activities,
  • They do not maintain a cumulative GPA above 3.25 from second semester to completion,
  • They do not complete at least 12 credits in the semester

Honors Program students should not withdraw from courses or alter class schedules without first consulting the Honors Program. Refund, drop/add, withdrawal policies, dates and deadlines apply to all Honors Program students.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) awards scholarships to eligible students who have lawful presence in the United States. Students must complete the Student Declaration Form and submit an approved HB2008 citizenship document (AZ driver's license, U.S. Passport or birth certificate) to the registration department to be eligible.

Apply for the President's Honors Scholarship