The Presidents’ Honors Scholarship covers in-state/in-county tuition up to fifteen (15) credit hours (plus the $15.00 registration fee) per semester but does not apply to summer sessions. To be eligible, students must enroll at the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) campus of their choice within three (3) academic semesters (not including summers) of graduating from a Maricopa County high school (including NCA-Accredited, Charter, Private, Religious high schools, or Homeschool), without having attended another accredited college or university before enrolling in an MCCCD campus (concurrent, dual enrollment and Summer session excluded).

Students submitting the Presidents' Honors Scholarship application must be able to show legal presence in the United States and be eligible to receive public funds. In addition, students must also be a resident of and reside within Maricopa County while on scholarship. Students must apply to the Honors Program for the Fall or Spring semester immediately following graduation from high school or other secondary education program as listed above.

The monetary value of the Presidents' Honors Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year is $1,470.00 per semester (tuition up to fifteen (15) credits plus the $15.00 registration fee). The scholarship funds do not cover books, supplies, additional class fees, or private lessons. Any financial amount over the scholarship award is the student’s responsibility.

The Fall 2025 application due date is Friday, August 15, 2025. Applications received after August 15th will be considered for Spring 2026.

The Spring 2026 application due date is Friday, January 9, 2026.

Presidents’ Honors Scholarship Eligibility:

Completion of a secondary education program in Maricopa County (including NCAA-Accredited, Charter, Private, Religious high schools, or Home-school), with a final, unweighted GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Students submitting the Presidents' Honors Scholarship application must be able to show legal presence in the United States and be eligible to receive public funds. In addition, students must also be a resident of Maricopa County while on scholarship. Students must apply to the program within one academic year (two academic semesters) of graduation from high school or other secondary education program as listed above, without having attended another accredited college or university before enrolling in a Maricopa County Community College District campus (co-enrollment, dual enrollment, and summer session excluded).

Submitting Official Final High School Transcript

After graduating, once your official final transcripts are available, they can be submitted electronically by clicking here. An official final high school transcript must include the following: all final grades, unweighted final GPA, and graduation date, and be signed by the high school registrar.

Required Application Materials

• A signed MCCCD Presidents’ Honors Scholarship Application/Agreement.
• An official final high school transcript must be sent via the official college electronic transfer system (e.g., Parchment or Naviance) to the college Admissions and Records Office or sent through the U.S. Mail service. Please inquire with the college Admissions and Records Office for homeschool transcript guidelines. Your scholarship cannot be awarded until your Official final high school transcript has been received.
• Complete the Mandatory Honors Program Orientation at the beginning of the first semester.
• Enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) letter-graded credit hours (at 100-level or above), including a three-credit Honors class (an Honors-Only class is required for your first two (2) semesters), each semester.
• Complete a Mandatory Mid-Semester Grade Check your first semester on the Presidents' Honors scholarship.

Renewal and Retention of the Presidents' Honors Scholarship

For the Presidents' Honors Scholarship to be renewed each semester (up to four consecutive semesters, excluding summer semesters), the student must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student (minimum of twelve (12) credits per semester) for four (4) consecutive semesters (excluding summers).
• Enroll in and complete at least twelve (12), letter-graded credits (at 100-level or above) each Fall and Spring semester. (Pass/Fail excluded unless degree specific but must be verified with the MCC Honors Program before enrollment).
• Enroll in and complete with a grade of “C” or higher at least three (3)-credits of Honors coursework each semester. An Honors-Only class is required for your first two (2) semesters. Third and fourth-semester students have the option of taking an Honors-Only class - OR - taking a class for Honors credit via an Honors contract.
• Maintain an MCCCD cumulative District Wide GPA of 3.25 or higher, including co-enrollment and dual enrollment grades.
• Complete the two (2) required Co-Curricular Activities (as defined by the Honors Program) each semester while on scholarship.

Probation and Termination

Presidents’ Honors Scholars whose cumulative Maricopa GPA, including ALL credits (e.g., dual enrollment), falls below 3.25 but at or above 3.00 will be placed on probation. To retain the scholarship, the student must show growth in their cumulative GPA each semester, as long as their GPA is below 3.25. Probation is contingent on meeting all other Honors Program requirements.

If students fail to meet the following requirements, they will not be eligible for renewal:

• Their cumulative Maricopa GPA, including ALL credits, is below 3.00.
• Fail to complete their Honors coursework or receive a grade less than a 'C'.
• They complete less than the required twelve (12) credit hours.
• They do not complete the required two (2) Co-Curricular Activities per semester.

Honors Program students should not withdraw from courses or alter class schedules without first consulting the College Honors Program.

Refund, drop/add, withdrawal policies, dates, and deadlines apply to all.

How the Scholarship is Disbursed

Presidents' Honors Scholars will have their fee due date on their billing statement deferred until financial aid is awarded. At that time, provided all necessary paperwork is completed and the student is enrolled in an Honors course, the scholarship amount will be applied to the student's account. Students must pay any fees over the scholarship amount by the date on the billing statement.

Graduation

To qualify as an Honors Program Graduate, a student must be eligible to graduate from the college and must meet the additional requirements that include a 3.50 MCCCD cumulative District-wide GPA, completion of fifteen (15) credit hours in Honors coursework across three disciplines, and completion of Co-Curriculars.

For More Information

For more information on the Honors Program, visit the Faculty & Staff and the FAQ pages.