Empowering Students Through Their Higher Education Journey
CMU and the Center share the goal of helping academically qualified students who graduate from a CMU-authorized charter public school continue their academic journey at CMU. One way this is being achieved is by providing two annual scholarships. These two scholarship funds are: Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Public Charter School Scholarship and The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools Scholarship. The scholarship application deadline is January 31.
Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Public Charter School Scholarship
Established in 2011 by Louise A. Plachta, this scholarship is to honor the memory of her late husband, Dr. Leonard E. Plachta, who served as president of CMU from 1992 – 2000. During his time at CMU, Dr. Plachta played an instrumental role in pioneering Michigan’s charter school movement and was integral in CMU’s authorization of the first charter public school in the state in 1994.
“Leonard was a risk taker, but he also was a very honest person. He was a man of integrity. So, he decided that for young people’s sake, for students’ sake, he would say yes to authorizing charter public schools.”
– Louise A. Plachta
Both Dr. and Mrs. Plachta were born and raised in the city of Detroit. In order to give back to the community from which they came and provide inspiration and support to charter high school graduates, the Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Scholarship was established. The scholarship is offered annually to a student who is graduating from a Detroit charter public school authorized by CMU and will be attending CMU full time after graduation, or is currently a full-time student at CMU.
Selection Criteria
- Candidate must be graduating, or have graduated, from a charter public school authorized by Central Michigan University located in the city of Detroit, Michigan.
- Candidate must be attending CMU as an undergraduate student.
- Candidate must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Submission Requirements
- A completed scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is January 31.
- A recommendation from a teacher or school administrator.
- Your school transcript.
- One page, single-spaced essay on one of the topics outlined in the application.
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools Scholarship
The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University is proud of the accomplishments of the students in the schools chartered by Central Michigan University. To support their continued success in their educational journey, the Center established a scholarship. This scholarship is for a high school graduate of a CMU-authorized charter public school to attend CMU.
Selection Criteria
- Candidate must be graduating, or have graduated, from a charter public school authorized by Central Michigan University.
- Candidate must be attending CMU as an undergraduate student.
- Candidate must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Submission Requirements
- A completed scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is January 31.
- A recommendation from a teacher or school administrator.
- Your school transcript.
- One page, single-spaced essay on one of the topics outlined in the application.
The Selection Committee may choose to interview top candidates. Scholarships are contingent upon availability of funds.