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Honors Advantage

Honors Program

Benefits

Take a look at what’s available to you.

 
1

Scholarships

Financial support is available to help fund honors-level research, teaching assistantships, study abroad programs, and other academic endeavors.

2

Priority Registration

Freshmen and sophomores in the program receive early registration access alongside juniors, ensuring better availability for high-demand courses.

3

One-on-one Support

Receive personalized guidance through dual advising. You will have one advisor from your academic department and one from the Honors Program, in addition to one-on-one meetings with the Honors Program Director.

4

Special Recognition at Graduation

Upon completion, you will be awarded a personalized Purdue honors medal, an honors certificate, a National Collegiate Honors Council cord, and an official honors notation on your academic transcript.

5

Competitive Edge

Earning the Honors Program certificate distinguishes your resume, providing an advantage for national and international employment or graduate school applications.

6

Extracurricular Opportunities

Enhance your college experience through undergraduate research, cultural and social gatherings, Honors-sponsored events, and exclusive chancellor-supported activities. You can also pursue unique leadership roles, such as serving as a student representative on the faculty Honors Program Council.

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THE EXTRA MILE

Honors Classes

Designed specifically for intellectually curious students, our dedicated Honors Classes offer an unparalleled academic experience. These courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who are renowned for their expertise and passion.

Each class incorporates an advanced honors component designed to challenge conventional boundaries, foster critical thinking, and deepen your understanding of the material. By enrolling in these exclusive courses, you prepare yourself to go the extra mile, unlocking your full potential for significant academic and personal growth.

Your Second Home

The Honors Center

The Honors Center provides a dynamic and supportive environment exclusively for Purdue University Fort Wayne honors students. Centrally located, it serves as a welcoming space to connect with peers, unwind between classes, and focus on your academic coursework.

Center Amenities:

  • Refreshment Station: Enjoy coffee, tea, and hot chocolate as a warm companion to your study sessions.

  • Study Rooms: Two dedicated spaces designed for individual focus or small group collaboration.

  • Conference Room: Equipped with a stately oak table, ideal for academic meetings and formal discussions.

  • Classrooms: Two bookable rooms to accommodate various teaching and learning needs.

  • Computer Lab: A dedicated lab ensuring you always have access to the technology and resources necessary for your assignments.

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Scholarships

Financial barriers won’t stand in your way.

The Honors Program helps you identify funding to enhance your educational experience beyond standard university scholarships. (Please note: These specific funding opportunities do not cover tuition or standard academic fees.)

 

Funding is available for the following academic pursuits:

  • Conference travel

  • Internships

  • Research or creative-endeavor assistantships and support

  • Study abroad

  • Teaching assistantships

  • General travel funding

Receive up to $1,000 to help cover the costs of attending a professional conference. Students who are actively presenting their honors research will receive priority consideration for this award.

Funding Prerequisites 

Before applying for this scholarship, you must demonstrate that you have already requested travel funding from two other campus resources:

Application Requirements 

To be considered, your application must include the following components:

  • Conference Details: Background information on the event and your specific role in it.

  • Statement of Significance: An explanation of how attending this conference will benefit your intellectual development, academic trajectory, or future research goals.

  • Proposed Budget: A clear breakdown of your expected expenses and any other anticipated funding sources.

  • Letters of Support: Recommendations provided by your faculty mentors.

Submission Instructions Please submit your completed application directly to Farah Combs, Honors Program Director, at [email protected]. You must also request that your faculty mentors send their letters of support directly to this same email address.

This scholarship awards up to $1,000 to compensate you for the time you spend working on a research or creative project alongside a faculty mentor. It is specifically designed to encourage deep, meaningful collaboration between honors students and faculty.

Key Evaluation Criterion 

When reviewing applications, the committee looks closely at the depth of your involvement. To be approved, your participation must offer a significant academic challenge and go above and beyond merely serving the basic research needs of the faculty member.

Application Requirements 

To apply for this funding, your application packet must include:

  • Project Description: A comprehensive overview of the intended research or creative endeavor.

  • Role & Impact Statement: A clear breakdown of your responsibilities and an explanation of how the experience will benefit your academic journey, intellectual growth, or future career goals.

  • Financial Budget: A detailed outline specifying your expected expenses and any other anticipated sources of funding.

  • Letter of Support: A formal recommendation letter provided by your guiding faculty mentor.

Receive up to $1,000 to help fund an independent, student-designed research or creative project. This scholarship is intended to support your work on an honors independent study, a summer project, or your final honors project. The funds can be used to cover the cost of equipment, travel, materials, or other reasonable research-related expenses.

Application Requirements 

To be considered for this funding, you must submit the following:

  • Project Description & Timeline: A clear overview of your proposed endeavor, along with a schedule for its completion.

  • Proposed Budget: A detailed breakdown of your expected expenses and any other anticipated sources of funding.

  • Letters of Support: Official recommendation letters from all faculty mentors involved in guiding your project.

Receive up to $1,000 to help fund your participation in the university's Study Abroad Program.

Important Prerequisite 

Before officially applying for this scholarship, you must contact the Honors Program to discuss your study abroad plans and intentions.

Application Requirements 

Once you are ready to apply, your application packet must include the following:

  • Official Documentation: Copies of all the required forms provided by the study abroad office.

  • Personal Statement: An essay detailing your specific goals for the trip. You should explain why you chose this particular country or university, what you hope to accomplish while there, and how the experience aligns with your future academic, professional, or personal plans.

  • Proposed Budget: A breakdown specifying your expected expenses and any other anticipated sources of funding.

  • Letters of Support: Official recommendations provided by your faculty mentors.

Submission Instructions 

Please submit your completed application directly to Farah Combs, Honors Program Director, at [email protected]. You must also request that your faculty mentors send their letters of support directly to this same email address.

Earn up to $1,000 by working alongside a faculty mentor to serve as a teaching assistant in a non-honors course. This opportunity allows you to gain valuable instructional and leadership experience.

Application Requirements 

To be considered for this funding, your application must include the following information:

  • Course Details & Qualifications: The specific name of the course you will be assisting with, along with a summary of your relevant academic qualifications for the role.

  • Role & Impact Statement: A clear outline of your responsibilities and an explanation of how this teaching experience will enhance your intellectual development, academic progress, or future research goals.

  • Proposed Budget: A detailed breakdown of your financial needs and any expected sources of funding.

  • Letter of Support: A formal recommendation letter provided by your guiding faculty mentor.

If you need financial assistance to attend a conference or conduct research off-campus, you can apply for support through the Division of Enrollment Management and the Student Experience.

Application Deadline 

All travel funding requests must be submitted electronically. Your application is due no later than the first day of the month preceding your trip's departure month (for example, if you are traveling in November, your request must be submitted by October 1st).

Additional Honors 

Support In addition to university-wide funding, be sure to consult with the Honors Program regarding our specific scholarships tailored for conference travel and study abroad experiences.

If you are looking for even more ways to fund your academic pursuits, we encourage you to explore the resources offered by the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Available Resources 

By visiting their office or website, you can discover further student-research opportunities, including specialized financial support for your undergraduate summer research projects and additional funding options for undergraduate conference travel.