Committed to Academic Success
- Since our founding as a literary society more than 160 years ago, Phi Mu has been committed to the academic and personal development of our members. We know that the success of our collegiate chapters depends on the success of our individual members – and academic excellence is at the center of a successful collegiate experience.
Each Phi Mu collegiate chapter is required to achieve a 2.75 combined GPA or the All-Women’s Average, whichever is greater, in order to remain in good standing and hold a chapter leadership position.
And our members are not on their own – each chapter has an Academic Excellence Chairwoman and a Chapter Academic Excellence Adviser that provide all members with academic support.
Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship Program
- Phi Mu Foundation is committed to supporting the academic development of our members. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Phi Mu Foundation awarded 164 undergraduate and graduate scholarships totaling $194,000.
Most scholarships are unrestricted, but some have been established for a particular chapter, field of study, state of residence or college. The minimum requirement for all Phi Mu scholarships is a 3.0 grade point average and all Phi Mu members who meet the requirements are eligible to apply. Merit and financial need-based scholarships are available through Phi Mu Foundation. Applicants are scored in several categories: academic, involvement (Phi Mu/campus/ community), financial need, personal statements and recommendations.
Phi Mu was the first NPC group to endow a fund through the NPC Foundation for academic excellence. This fund not only helps chapters but also provides guidance and academic programming for college Panhellenics across the country.
GPA Requirements
- At Alpha Beta, our minimum GPA requirement is a 2.9. This GPA reflects the campus norms and expectations. Phi Mu expects new members to be in good standing with their college or university and chapter in order to be initiated.
Members are required to maintain a designated GPA to remain in good standing with their chapter. This GPA is included in the chapter bylaws and voted on by the chapter. Chapter officers are required to maintain the GPA listed in the chapter bylaws in order to hold a leadership position. Members not in good standing who are below the chapter’s term GPA requirement may be referred through Phi Mu’s accountability system–the honor process. This process is utilized to develop customized improvement plans for members in order to reach their academic goals.
Academic Excellence Support
- In each collegiate chapter, the Academic Excellence Chairwomen plays a crucial role in fostering and promoting high scholarship among sisters. She partners with a local tutoring program that offers both group and individual tutoring sessions, providing tailored support to meet the diverse needs of chapter members. Additionally, she is trained in academic advising through the university, equipping her with the skills to offer personalized guidance.The Academic Excellence Chairwomen works to develop chapter programming that aligns with the learning styles of members. She also collaborates with the Honor Chairwomen to design specific academic plans for members who are struggling academically. This partnership ensures that members who are not in good academic standing receive the encouragement and resources they need to improve. By closely monitoring their progress and offering targeted support, the Academic Excellence Chairwomen helps these members achieve academic success.Phi Mu also has a National Academic Excellence Chairwoman and Committee who are experienced alumnae volunteers that support our chapters in achieving and maintaining academic excellence.The chapter’s local and area team of volunteers and Collegiate Chapter Specialist reviews each chapter’s annual academic plan and provide officer training and resources the Academic Excellence Chairwoman can use with her chapter and individual members.