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Incoming first-year students, transfer students and current students can apply to be in the Clarke Honors College. View more information about honors qualifications and the application process.

Honors courses often emphasize open discussion, research skills, leadership and community engagement, as well as learning opportunities outside of the classroom. The topics of courses are current and often non-traditional. Many honors courses can count toward both honors and General Education requirements.

First year or sophomore honors students have specific Honors housing options, such as the opportunity to live in Honors Living Learning Communities (LLCs). Clarke Honors College LLCs center around exciting and useful themes and also provide benefits such as early move-in for freshmen.

The Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program provides annual scholarships for incoming first years that range from $1,000 to $2,000 (renewable up to four years). Students are selected based on academic accomplishments and a written essay that is part of their application to the Clarke Honors College. To be considered for Clarke Honors College scholarships, students must submit by the priority scholarship deadline. Beginning in 2013, the recipients of these scholarships were designated the name Bellavance Scholars in recognition of Thomas and Elizabeth Bellavance, who were great supporters of the Honors Program and in whose honor the endowment for these scholarships is named. Bellavance Scholars are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA and remain active in the Honors Program, demonstrating successful progress toward graduating with full university honors. They are recognized each year at the Honors Spring Banquet and their names appear on a large plaque that is publicly displayed in the Honors Center.

The were established to recognize exceptional incoming first year students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and the promise for leadership and success on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus. Fellowships range from $1,000 to $2,000 and are renewable a total of four years. For consideration, applicants need to apply to the Clarke Honors College using the online application by the priority scholarship deadline. Students are selected based on their academic accomplishments, as well as an additional essay. Recipients are decided by the Honors Admissions committee, comprised of the Director and Assistant Director of the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program and the Director of Admissions. Director’s Fellows receive priority placement in one of the Honors Program’s first year Living Learning Communities. Students are required to maintain a 3.25 GPA and remain active in the Honors Program, demonstrating successful progress toward graduating with full university honors. They are recognized each year at the Honors Spring Banquet and their names appear on a large plaque that is publicly displayed in the Honors Center.