John Martinson Honors EDGE Program

An honors experience that helps you go further.

The Red Hawk statue in the forefront of the photo. In the background, a sign that says soar.

The John Martinson Honors EDGE Program gives you more from college: challenging courses, close community, leadership development and hands-on opportunities in research, internships and travel. You can apply as a first-year student, transfer student or current Montclair student, and you may receive up to $5,000 to support honors approved experiential learning. 

The John Martinson Honors EDGE Program (Engage, Discover, Grow, Experience) is for students who want more from their college experience. You’ll take part in a program that combines academic challenge with creativity, leadership, community engagement and real-world learning.

As an Honors EDGE student, you can explore undergraduate research, internships, travel, scholarships, priority registration and a first-year honors housing community. Honors EDGE also offers up to $5,000 for approved experiential learning, helping you pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.

Honors Scholarships

In recognition of your achievements and potential, first-year Honors EDGE students are eligible for a range of exclusive scholarship opportunities beginning in the spring semester. You can apply for these internal Honors scholarships each year, with one-year awards typically ranging from $250 to $3,500, including:

  • The John and Irma Sheffman Scholarship Fund: Awarded to an entering first-year student who has declared a major within The College of Science and Mathematics.
  • The Mulford Scholarship Fund: Awarded to first-year students entering from a Montclair-area high school.

Each year, more than 25 of these scholarships are awarded to Honors students, and you can reapply for funding through your junior year. Honors EDGE scholarships are one-year awards; four-year scholarships are not available at this time

Other Scholarship Programs

Montclair State University offers several scholarship programs that are not connected to Honors EDGE. You can learn more about these opportunities through Red Hawk Central. One of the most prominent is the University’s merit-based Presidential Scholarship, awarded to high-achieving incoming first-year students.

Why Honors EDGE Stands Out

Learning that goes beyond the classroom

Honors EDGE combines challenging coursework with opportunities to create, lead and learn by doing. You can take honors courses, pursue research and internships, and build experience that supports your goals after college.

Support for your goals

The program is designed to help you make the most of your time at Montclair, with benefits that may include up to $5,000 for experiential learning, honors scholarships, priority registration and a first-year honors housing community.

A transformational investment

A $5 million gift from philanthropist John Martinson has transformed the program, expanding opportunities for students and strengthening Montclair’s position as a leader in honors education. That investment supports a richer academic experience with more experiential learning, mentorship, leadership development and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What Students Say about Honors EDGE

Honors students describe the program as a place where opportunity, support and community come together.

Honors student Sara Flores on campus
“The Honors Program gave me hands-on experiences and helped me rethink how I want to teach and learn. It’s not just about academics – it’s about building a community where students feel like they’re part of something bigger.”

Sara Flores ’26

Linguistics

Aspiring ESL teacher

hawk icon

How to Apply

Honors EDGE uses a holistic review process. In addition to academic achievement, the program looks for students who show leadership, creativity, service, initiative or strong engagement in their school or community.

If you are a high school student who has been accepted to Montclair, you can apply to Honors EDGE through the first-year honors application. A strong academic record is important, and we also look for creativity, leadership, service and initiative. Apply here.

Academic excellence
We look for a strong record of academic achievement in high school, typically shown by a GPA of 3.5 or higher. We also encourage students who have excelled academically and who show intellectual curiosity and passion to apply, even if their GPA is below 3.5.

Creativity and engagement
We value students who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

  • Participation in creative activities such as visual arts, performing arts or writing
  • Leadership in extracurricular activities, school clubs or community organizations
  • Involvement in public service, volunteerism or charitable work
  • Personal initiative in pursuing independent projects or goals (for example, starting a club or engaging in entrepreneurial activities)

We value diverse experiences, and we encourage you to highlight achievements that show your potential for growth and the ways you contribute to your school or community.

If you are a current Montclair student, you can apply to Honors EDGE as long as you are within your first four semesters of study. The program looks for students who show strong academics and a record of leadership, creativity or community engagement. Please contact Honors EDGE for current student application instructions.

Academic excellence
We look for a consistent record of academic achievement at Montclair State University, along with evidence of intellectual curiosity and a commitment to learning.

Creative, research and community engagement
We value students who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

  • Creative work in fields such as visual arts, performing arts or writing
  • Research or independent scholarly projects in any discipline
  • Leadership in student organizations, campus initiatives or other groups
  • Public service, volunteerism or community-based work
  • Personal initiative in creating new projects, programs or opportunities for others

We value diverse experiences, and we encourage you to highlight achievements that show how you are contributing to the Montclair community and how Honors EDGE can help you take your next step.

If you are a transfer student who has been accepted to Montclair, you can apply to Honors EDGE through the transfer honors application. A strong academic record is important, and we also look for creativity, leadership, service and initiative. Apply here.

Academic excellence
We look for a strong record of academic achievement at your previous college or university, typically shown by a GPA of 3.5 or higher. We also encourage students with a solid academic foundation and clear intellectual curiosity to apply, even if their GPA is below 3.5.

Equivalent accomplishments
We value students who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas:

  • Public service, charitable work or community engagement
  • Research or scholarly projects in any field
  • Creative work in areas such as visual arts, performing arts or writing
  • Leadership in academic, extracurricular or work settings
  • Personal initiative in pursuing independent projects or goals.

Honors Curriculum

Honors EDGE students complete at least eight honors courses, including four core courses: Creativity, Community Matters, Transformations and Capstone. Many honors courses also satisfy General Education or SEEDS requirements, and students may apply to substitute experiential learning opportunities for elective credit after the first year.

To graduate from Honors EDGE, students must complete their undergraduate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and finish at least eight honors courses, including the required core courses.

The four core courses are Creativity, Community Matters, Transformations and Capstone.

Students also complete four honors electives selected from a range of seminar offerings. Course topics vary and are designed to support interdisciplinary learning and creative thinking.

Have Questions? We Can Help

John Martinson Honors EDGE

The John Martinson Honors EDGE Program strives to provide outstanding academic, experiential, and leadership opportunities for ambitious and motivated students.

Jeff Strickland, Assistant Provost for Honors EDGE

Assistant Provost of the Honors EDGE Program, helps lead a student-centered experience grounded in creativity, community engagement and interdisciplinary learning. He works closely with students as they grow academically and personally through Honors.