The Honors Experience
The Honors Program is an excellent opportunity for students to get ahead in their educational journey. Eligible students must enroll in one honors course for the semester they choose to participate. Honors course obligations can be fulfilled by taking a 3-credit or above honors course or converting a 3-credit or above, 100-level or above course into an honors course by doing a project beyond what is required in the course.
Participating in the Honors Experience gives students the following benefits:
- Honors designation (Honors) on your academic transcript next to all applicable courses.
- Scholarship money each semester
- Free attendance at special events
- Opportunities to work one on one with faculty
- Opportunities to qualify for Honors only scholarships
- Opportunity to graduate with honors
- Honors specific personnel to support honors students
Path #1: Graduated From High School Within the Last Year
Presidents Honors Scholarship (PHS) - General Scholarship Information
Earns roughly $1470 (amounts change if tuition costs change) per semester for 4 semesters, which pays for 15 credits and the registration fee each semester.
Scholarship Eligibility:
- Provide the necessary paperwork to show you are eligible to receive scholarship funds
- Graduate from a High School in Maricopa county with an unweighted GPA over 3.25+.
- Email an official copy of a transcript directly to our email: honors@gatewaycc.edu
- Begin at GateWay within the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd semester after graduating from high school
- It is possible to defer the PHS for up to two years, but you need to complete the necessary paperwork requesting a deferment. Contact our office for more information
Scholarship Requirements
- You must enroll in 12+ credits
- You must take 1 course for Honors credit; it can be any class that is 3+ credits at the 100+ level. (Be sure to have a second choice as occasionally for various reasons a teacher is unable to offer their course for honors credit.)
- You may take more than 1 honors course if you wish.
- You must complete 2 co-curricular activities per semester and submit your reflection for each to Canvas. (See module on co-curricular activities for detailed information)
- You must maintain a cumulative GPA above 3.25. If your GPA drops below 3.25 but remains above 3.0, you will be placed on probation for one semester. You must bring your GPA back up during your probationary semester.
- You must earn a C or better in your honors class
- After you have complete your 4 semesters, you can apply for the Honors Achievement Award if your cumulative Maricopa GPA is over 3.25
Path #2: Student Entering College More Than One Year From High School Graduation
Honors Achievement Award (HAA) - General Scholarship Information Scholarship amount depends on the number of credits completed:
| Enrolled Credit Hours | Scholarship Earned |
|---|---|
| 12+ | $500 |
| 9-11 | $325 |
| 6-8 | $244 |
| 3-5 | $0 |
Eligibility Requirements:
- Provide the necessary paperwork to show you are eligible to receive scholarship funds
- Have completed 12 or more credit hours of coursework within the Maricopa Community Colleges
- Earn a Maricopa cumulative GPA of 3.25+
Scholarship Requirements
- You must take 1 course for Honors credit; it can be any class that is 3+ credits at the 100+ level
- You may take more than 1 honors course if you wish.
- You must complete 1 co-curricular activity per semester and submit your reflection to Canvas. (See module on co-curricular activities for detailed information)
- You must earn a C in your honors class and/or on your honors project.
- You must have a cumulative GPA at BOTH the start and end of the semester that is 3.25 or higher
- You do not get the money until the semester ends.
- If your cumulative GPA drops below 3.25+, you can no longer earn the scholarship money, but you can still take a course for Honors credit and get the honors designation on your transcript.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any student who maintains a high standard of academic work will benefit. Honors students are bright, motivated individuals who want to expand their personal and intellectual growth.
Students in any major who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above may participate in the Honors Program. Students generally have one thing in common—a desire to get the most from their educational experience.
Honors courses are challenging, and you can expect personal attention from a faculty mentor. When you graduate, your transcript will reflect your level of participation in the program, which could ultimately make a difference when seeking a job.
Your mentors are faculty members who are committed to excellence, offering modern, flexible methods of instruction in a small class atmosphere. This encourages lively classroom interaction. Fewer topics may be covered; however, subject matter is covered in greater depth. Independent projects allow students to pursue topics or areas not covered in class. Field trips and speakers play a role in formal and informal learning that take place.
Please Note: The goal of these classes is not to do more work, but rather to provide students with a different type of experience that makes them active participants in the learning process.