Thomas A. Dingledine helped create this scholarship to recognize and encourage JMU students with a demonstrated vision to impact others.
- This scholarship, for incoming first-year students who have applied to the Honors College, is awarded based on demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
- The JMU Honors College reviews all applications and awards up to 10 scholarships per year.
- This scholarship, in combination with other JMU scholarships, is equivalent to in-state tuition and fees per year for a total of four years if eligibility requirements are met (see below). For the 2025-2026 academic year, that amount is $14,700.
" To me, it's making a difference in the lives of others."
— Tom Dingledine
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for a Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship, applicants are required to:
- Complete the JMU Early Action Application
- Students must apply to JMU through the Early Action process and complete the Honors College section within the JMU application.
- Meet one of the following academic criterion
- Have a 3.6 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 unweighted scale) or a 89 (on a 100 point scale); OR
- Have a 1250 SAT (out of 1600 - writing portion not considered) or a 27 ACT score (composite only).
- Official test scores must be sent from the testing agency to James Madison University and received by November 1.
Maintaining Eligibility
- All Thomas A. Dingledine Scholars will be required to be an Honors College student in good standing for the duration of the scholarship.
- All recipients are required to participate in the Leadership and Service programs within the Honors College.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained each year.
If you have any questions, please contact honorscollegescholarships@jmu.edu.
How to Apply
Submit your JMU application through the Early Action process and complete the Honors College section within the application.
Important Information:
- Applying to the Honors College does not affect admission to JMU, and admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the Honors College.
- Students interested in the Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship are encouraged to apply early to ensure timely access to MyMadison and Madison Scholarships Hub.
After submitting your JMU application, log into MyMadison and access the Madison Scholarships Hub to complete the General Scholarship Application and locate the Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship application.
- You may see the Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship application under "Recommended Opportunities".
- If you do not see the Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship, then click on "Opportunities" and then under the drop-down list, "Ours" and you will have access to the scholarship. Click "Apply" to begin the application.
To be considered for the scholarship, students must submit the scholarship application through the Madison Scholarships Hub by November 15.
Required materials include:
- Two essays (Do NOT put your name, date of birth, student ID or identifying information on your essays.)
- Essay #1: Describe and discuss a time when you were under pressure to make a significant decision. Explain the causes of the pressure, the reasons you decided as you did, and the impact of your decision. Would you make the same decision again today? (Limit: 250 words)
- Essay #2: Choose one of your service or leadership experiences and describe how it relates to your dream for a different and better world. How are you presently working to better the lives of others in fulfillment of your dream? How do you expect to make your dream a reality in the future? (Limit: 250 words)
- Your unofficial high school transcript including senior year schedule (PDF format)
- Bulleted list of activities, leadership experiences, and community service
- Bulleted list of academic awards, honors, and recognitions
Notification Timeline
October 1: The Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship application opens in the Madison Scholarships Hub
November 1: Deadline to submit your JMU Early Action application including completion of the Honors College section of the application
November 15: Deadline to apply for the Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship
January: Scholarship finalist will be interviewed
Late February: All candidates will be notified of their decisions
Important Notice
The following scholarships cannot be combined:
- Thomas A. Dingledine Scholarship
- Madison Award for Academic Excellence
- Madison Recognition Awards
- First Generation Scholarship
- Second Century Scholarship
- Centennial Scholarship
- Fellowship offers
If offered more than one of these merit-based awards, students must choose one and decline the other offer(s).
Fri: 8:00 a.m. - Noon
