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Top Michigan Scholarships in 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!
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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
- Western Michigan University Foundation Scholarship
- Michigan Society of Professional Engineers Scholarship Program
- The Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship
- The Daniel Gerber Sr, Medallion Scholarship
- Kalamazoo Community Foundation Kreager Family Scholarship
- Kalamazoo Community Foundation General Scholarship Application
- Grand Rapids Community Foundation General Scholarship Application
- Grand Rapids Community Foundation Ladies Literary Club Scholarship
- Grand Rapids Community Foundation Walter C. Winchester Scholarship
- Grand Rapids Community Foundation Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andre Scholarship
- Senator Philip Hart Memorial Scholarship
- Michigan Competitive Scholarship
- Rosa Parks Scholarship
- Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Scholarships General Application
- Peters Foundation Scholarship
- Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship
- State of Michigan Student Aid Scholarship Self-Service Tool
- State of Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
Opening Soon
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)
