Michigan has our personal favorite state motto: “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice,” which means “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” As the state with the longest freshwater shore in the whole country, Michigan certainly earns its motto and is a great place to consider for college. Whether you are an in-state Michigan resident or live out-of-state and are hoping to attend a Michigan college like University of Michigan or Michigan State, there are Michigan scholarships available to you!
How to win Michigan scholarships
In order to win Michigan scholarships, you should search for scholarship opportunities that reflect your interests. You should then connect your interests back to the state of Michigan.
For example, you can apply for a marine biologist scholarship and discuss your passion for water animals because of your exposure to the various Great Lakes in Michigan. Combining your own interests and the unique qualities of Michigan can give you a leg up on the competition and help you to win Michigan scholarships.
Writing resources for acing Michigan scholarship essays
Many Michigan scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself in order to win Michigan scholarships. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships and our overview of common scholarship essay prompts to help ensure you are prepared to win Michigan scholarships! Everything you need is at your fingertips with Scholarships360 from guides on how to start a scholarship essay to how to write a 500 word essay.
Michigan student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, Michigan residents owe $51 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $36,116 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 52% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!
Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Michigan, as well as top scholarships in Michigan!
Merit scholarships at Michigan colleges and universities
University of Michigan
- Eligibility: First year students based on academic achievement, personal talents, interests, leadership qualities, financial need or any combination of these
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Admission to University of Michigan
Michigan State University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen based on weighted GPA and ACT/SAT scores if submitted
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: November 1
Albion College
- Eligibility: Prospective first year students based on merit and academic performance
- Amount: $26,000 up to $35,000
- Deadline: Admission to Albion College
Calvin University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen with 3.10+ high school GPA as well as 21+ ACT or 1020+ SAT if submitted
- Amount: $12,000 up to $22,000
- Deadline: Admission to Calvin University
Grand Valley State University
- Eligibility: Admitted first year students who have strong academic applications
- Amount: $1,000 up to $11,000
- Deadline: March 1
Central Michigan University
- Eligibility: Freshmen who have strong high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores
- Amount: 20% of tuition up to 65% of tuition
- Deadline: Admission to Central Michigan University
Western Michigan University
- Eligibility: First year undergraduate students who demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, honors and awards and an impressive essay/personal statement
- Amount: $1,500 up to full tuition
- Deadline: December 15
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known Michigan universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
- In-state tuition: $16,736
- Out-of-state tuition: $55,334
- In-state tuition: $16,051
- Out-of-state tuition: $43,435
How do you get in-state tuition?
Being an out-of-state student paying out-of-state tuition rates can be extremely expensive in Michigan. In order to become a Michigan resident for tuition purposes, you will need to physically reside in the state of Michigan for at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the semester in which you want in-state tuition rates. During these 12 months, you will need to establish a domicile in Michigan. This includes obtaining physical evidence of your commitment to Michigan, such as obtaining a Michigan driver’s license and registering your vehicle in Michigan. Be sure to double check with your intended Michigan college or university’s policy on obtaining residency for tuition purposes to ensure you are eligible.
Read more: How to get in-state tuition as an out-of-state student
Does Michigan offer tuition reciprocity?
No, Michigan no longer participates in the Midwest Student Exchange.
Michigan scholarship spotlight
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Michigan high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA enrolling at an engineering degree program at a Michigan ABET-accredited college or university
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Mid-February
The Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors graduating from select high schools in Newaygo, Muskegon, or Oceana County with a GPA between 2.0 and 3.7 who plan on pursuing a bachelor’s, associate, or vocational degree
- Amount: $2,800
- Deadline: End of February
The Daniel Gerber Sr, Medallion Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors graduating from Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, or White Cloud High School, or Home School students in those areas with a minimum 3.71+ GPA, weighted or unweighted
- Amount: $11,500
- Deadline: End of February
Kalamazoo Community Foundation Kreager Family Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in Kalamazoo County or who are enrolled at South Haven High School who have lost a parent or parents through death or abandonment after infancy
- Amount: $2,000 up to $3,000
- Deadline: Early March
Kalamazoo Community Foundation General Scholarship Application
- Eligibility: Students who live or attend high school in Kalamazoo County can be matched with a wide variety of scholarships which are specific to major, life circumstance, high school attended, and a variety of other factors
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Grand Rapids Community Foundation General Scholarship Application
- Eligibility: Students from Michigan can apply to be considered for over 40 scholarships. The scholarships tend to cater to students from the Grand Rapids area but there are many for those outside the area as well
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Senator Philip Hart Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Michigan high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA or students transferring from another Michigan college or university planning to attend and are admitted to Lake Superior State University
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Michigan Competitive Scholarship
- Eligibility: Michigan residents who have resided there since July 1 of the previous year, demonstrate financial need, have a high school diploma and achieve an ACT score of at least 23 or an SAT score of at least 1200
- Amount: Up to $1,500
- Deadline: March 1
Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship
- Eligibility: Dependent children of owners of MRA member businesses, or of full-time employees of Michigan Retailers Association member firms. Part-time employees of MRA member businesses who are full-time students are also eligible
- Amount: $3,500
- Deadline: April 1
State of Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
- Eligibility: Michigan residents who are children of veterans who died or became permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty; OR whose parent experienced service-connected illness or injury as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; OR whose parent was totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty and has since passed; OR whose parent has been classified as Missing in Action by the US Government
- Amount: $1,400 up to $2,800
- Deadline: July 15
Additional Michigan resources
FAFSA Guide
On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens. Michigan students should apply as soon as possible to be considered for financial aid.
State of Michigan Student Aid
A website created by the state of Michigan with helpful tools and scholarship resources for Michigan residents. Comb through this website to help you during your scholarship searching process!
Michigan College Access Network
An online resource for educators, administrators and college students that displays student and community outcome data by county and region!
Frequently asked questions about Michigan scholarships
What types of scholarships does Michigan offer?
Are there Michigan scholarships for certain fields of study?
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