Top Michigan Scholarships in 2021

By Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

Updated: February 22nd, 2021

Michigan has my 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!

Jump ahead to:

Top Michigan Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary of Scholarships
Opening Soon Scholarships

Keep on reading to learn all about the eligibility, value, and deadlines for the best Michigan scholarships out there!

Top Michigan Scholarships in 2021

Western Michigan University Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.7 weighted GPA who have been admitted to WMU who qualify for the federal free lunch program; OR are orphaned; OR are wards of the state or in foster care; OR are homeless; OR are undocumented
Amount: $16,000 per year
Deadline: February 15, 2021

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: February 19, 2021

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: $2,600
Deadline: February 28, 2021

The Daniel Gerber Sr, Medallion Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors graduating from Fremont, Grant, Hesperia Newaygo, oe White Cloud High School, or Home School students in those areas with a minimum 3.71 GPA, weighted or unweighted
Amount: $10,600 over 4 years
Deadline: February 28, 2021

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. Can be enrolling part-time or full-time at a 2 or 4-year program. Must show financial need
Amount: Up to $2,500
Deadline: March 1, 2021

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, 2021

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, 2021

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Ladies Literary Club Scholarship

Eligibility: Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are residents of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Montcalm or Barry County and plan to major in Literary Arts at a college or university in Michigan
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1, 2021

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Walter C. Winchester Scholarship

Eligibility: Grand Rapids high school seniors with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1, 2021

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andre Scholarship

Eligibility: Students of Mexican heritage with a minimum 2.75 GPA residing in Kent or Ottawa County who are enrolling in an undergraduate program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1, 2021

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 Lake Superior State University. Must be accepted for LSSU Fall Semester 2021 Admission and have a demonstrated interest in public service
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1, 2021

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. See website for more details and renewal requirements
Amount: Up to $1,000
Deadline: Must submit FAFSA by March 1

Rosa Parks Scholarship

Eligibility: Michigan high school seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA who demonstrate financial need and community service
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 2, 2021

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Scholarships General Application

Eligibility: Michigan residents pursuing a higher education can fill out this form to be considered for a wide variety of scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 15, 2021

Peters Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend a Christian college in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona or Colorado. Priority given to students who plan to pursue a degree in education, environment, environmental engineering, conservation, or forestry
Amount: $10,000 to $20,000
Deadline: April 1, 2021

Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship

Eligibility: Dependent sons and daughters 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: $1,000 to $1,500
Deadline: April 1, 2021

State of Michigan Student Aid Scholarship Self-Service Tool

Eligibility: This is not one specific scholarship or application, but rather a tool created by the state of Michigan that will produce a PDF of regionally specific scholarships if you input your county
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies

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. Must be younger than 26, and maintain a 2.5 GPA to renew
Amount: $1,400 to $2,800 per year
Deadline: Varies

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Michigan give scholarships?

The state of Michigan has a department for student aid, which awards the Michigan Competitive Scholarship. This scholarship can be worth up to $1,000 per year, and applicants must submit their FAFSA by March 1.

How long do you have to live in a state to get in state tuition in Michigan?

The amount of time you have to live in Michigan to get in-state tuition varies based on a variety of circumstances, including your financial independence, your parents’ residence, and other ways that you can prove that you are intending to stay in Michigan as a permanent resident. For more details, you can examine the University of Michigan guidelines to in-state tuition here.

Summary of Scholarships

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Korean American Scholarship Foundation Midwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship

Eligibility: Students of Korean heritage who live in the Midwestern region, demonstrate financial need, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. High school seniors, undergrad students, and graduate students can all apply
Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Opens April 1, 2021)

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