EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University has taken another strong step in its commitment to helping its students succeed, with plans to award approximately $58.8 million in financial aid during the 2018-19 academic year.

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved the financial aid package of scholarships, awards and grants at its regular meeting Oct. 20.

The total institutional financial aid of $58,789,000 represents an increase of 3 percent over the 2017-18 financial aid budget of $57,080,000. During the past 10 years, Eastern Michigan has doubled its student financial aid, reflecting its central mission of supporting Michigan students in their academic success, earning their degrees and continuing on to excellent careers.

First-year student enrollment growth

The increase in financial aid accompanies continued growth in first-year student enrollment at Eastern Michigan. This fall, the University welcomed its third largest entering class in its history, 2,781 students. The entering class continues Eastern’s momentum in recent years, in which the University has grown in entering enrollment in the face of declining demographic trends for high school seniors in the state of Michigan. Since fall 2010, when the University enrolled a total of 2,008 new first-year students, the entering class has grown by 39 percent.

The class also displays solid academic preparation, further growth of The Honors College and in international students, and it spotlights the strong level of diversity to be found on Eastern’s campus. The average GPA of incoming freshmen is 3.29, an increase from 3.12 in 2011.

The average ACT scores have also risen. This year's entering class has an average ACT score of 22.4, trending positively from an average of 21.1 in fall 2011.

The entering first-year class also underscores the continuing level of diversity at Eastern as one of the most diverse and inclusive universities in Michigan. The number of newly enrolled African American (534), Hispanic (154), Native American (9), Asian American/Pacific Islander (58), and multi-race (89), a total of 844 students, makes up 30 percent of the entering first-year class.

Honors College growth

The Honors College, which accepts students entering with typically at least a 25 ACT score and 3.5 high school GPA, continues to grow. As of today, the Honors College currently enrolls more than 1,600 students – nearly double the number of students from six years ago.

More international and strong regional growth

International student enrollment in the entering class showed a significant increase as well, rising 43 percent, from 42 students last year to 60 this fall. All told, Eastern has nearly 1,000 students representing more than 80 countries.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.