Formally known as the Presidential Leaders and University Scholars, the PLUS scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school seniors who have excelled in the areas of academics, leadership, involvement and community service. We welcome up to 25 incoming freshmen into the program each fall at our Welcome Retreat.
Selection of PLUS Scholars
To be considered for the PLUS award, applicants must submit the general CU Scholarship Application. Students are awarded the PLUS scholarship based on the evaluation of the following:
- High school academic performance (GPA of 3.00 or higher)
- Standardized test scores (a minimum ACT score of 24)
- Participation in extracurricular and service activities
- A brief essay written by the applicant
- An interview with the selection committee
Requirements
Students who accept the scholarship must sign a contract committing to fulfill all of the academic, service, campus involvement and leadership requirements for retaining the scholarship. These requirements include:
Academic Requirements
- Recipients must achieve a minimum of 24 credit hours by the completion of the spring semester each academic year.
- Recipients must maintain a grade point average of 3.00.
- Recipients must maintain status as a full time Cameron student (12 hours or more each semester).
Service Requirements
Recipients are required to complete a minimum number of service hours per semester.
- All service hours must have prior approval from a student's advisor.
- Acceptance of a student's hours is at the discretion of the advisor. Advisors will check the validity of hours and notify a student if the hours are unacceptable.
- Service hours will not be granted if a student has been paid for their time.
- Hours must be service to the community and should not be an activity in the daily routine of the student.
- Recipients will also participate in group service projects. These projects may count as partial fulfillment of the service hour requirement at the discretion of the advisor.
- Service hours must be completed by the Friday one week prior to the end of the semester.
Campus Involvement
It is expected that PLUS students are involved on campus and serve in leadership positions in campus organizations. In addition, PLUS students are required to attend five campus events each semester. These events may include, but are not limited to:
- Organization Meetings
- Music/Theatre/Art Performances
- Festival Events
- Athletic Competitions
- Lectures
Leadership Training
The leadership training aspect is the most important part of the program. It involves a four year commitment to leadership development. During the fall semester, first year students are required to enroll in and attend Introduction to University Life, a one hour course designed to assist students with the transition to higher education. In subsequent semesters, students are required to attend monthly meetings, scheduled by the advisor. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION ARE MANDATORY!
Through the PLUS program, students will learn what it means to be a leader and they will evaluate their own "personal best" leadership style. The students will function as leaders and organize various service activities that require implementation of leadership principles. Students study current leadership topics, including communication, ethics, and diversity. During the final year, students will prepare for the career search process by developing a resume, learning how to apply to graduate and professional schools and gaining interview and presentation skills.
Retention of PLUS Scholarship
At the completion of the each semester, the PLUS advisors will objectively measure and subjectively evaluate each student's contribution to the program. This scholarship is renewable for students who successfully complete requirements.
