Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

EC Scholars


The EC Scholars program is a merit scholarship program established in 1998 that attracts high-ability students to East Carolina University who have the promise and capability to become outstanding scholars and leaders in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. The EC Scholar award is offered to the best of our entering freshman class. This is the most prestigious scholarship offered at East Carolina University. EC Scholars exhibit outstanding academic performance, engagement in the community, effective leadership skills, and complete a required study abroad experience. The amount awarded to scholarship recipients is $40,000 ($5,000 per semester for eight continuous semesters). In addition, EC Scholars are provided with a $5,000 stipend to help support their Study Abroad experience.

In addition to the Honors College program requirements , EC Scholars need to earn a final grade of B- (2.7) or higher to receive credit for each of the requirements. Students may not use the honors-by-contract option to fulfill any of these requirements. Requirements may be met on a different schedule than listed below, so long as all requirements are fulfilled prior to graduation. Requirements can also be made flexible to allow students to study abroad, graduate in less than four years, or pursue a joint degree. In these cases, students will need to consult the advising team in the Honors College to receive approval.

EC Scholars will benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes community engagement, leadership and rigorous academic coursework. EC Scholars are required to follow the guidelines of the Honors College and of the EC Scholars Program. EC Scholars will enroll for a minimum course load of 12 semester hours during each fall and spring semester and must obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. All EC Scholars will complete a Study Abroad academic experience and a Senior Honors Project.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the EC Scholars Award will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for an EC Scholars Award will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

  1. Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
  2. Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

a. Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
b. Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation by mail to complete the Honors College application. The EC Scholars Award application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Honors College applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists for the EC Scholars Award. Finalists are required to participate in face-to-face interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients of the EC Scholars Award will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program Requirements

1. Freshman year:

The first-year ECU Scholar seminar will count for one of the two Honors Seminar requirements.

2. Sophmore year:

3. Junior year:

4. Study Abroad Experience:

EC Scholars are required to study abroad.  The experience is recommended in the sophmore or junior year.