Social justice is an integral part of Canisius University and our Jesuit heritage, which is grounded in the philosophy of “men and women for others.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was at the forefront of social justice in America and we honor his life and his dedication to peace and equality through the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program.
MLK Eligibility
New students will complete an application for consideration to the MLK Program. Students from all backgrounds and income levels are eligible for the Martin Luther King Scholarship/Grant. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their past academic performance, a written essay, their personal achievements, their involvement in community service and their commitment to the ideals of Dr. King. An application is available online. MLK scholarships are renewable each year for qualified students.
Semester Requirements
New students who receive the MLK Scholarship for fall 2008 and beyond may renew their scholarship for four years while studying at Canisius. The scholarship is administered by the Canisius’ Opportunity Programs for Education (COPE) office. The following criteria must be met by students each year to receive the scholarship award of $1,000 per year:
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.25
Ten hours of service per semester in a community setting that fulfills a social justice mission
MLK scholars will meet with scholarship mentor twice per semester to select service placements, and to monitor personal and academic progress
For more information on financial aid, grants, and scholarships, please visit the Canisius University Financial Aid Office.
All MLK students are entitled to services provided by the COPE office unless otherwise specified.