25 Scholarships for College Students in Michigan

Updated on July 26, 2023

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Michigan students can find scholarships from their cities, colleges, and organizations. Here are 25 Michigan scholarships to apply for today.

Today, the average tuition cost in Michigan is $13,716 for in-state public colleges and $31,055 for private universities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This means tuition in Michigan is slightly higher than the national average.

One way to fund your education is with scholarships. Michigan students can find scholarship opportunities from their high schools, cities, and counties. Many scholarships in Michigan are also offered by universities to their incoming students.

Focusing your scholarship efforts on local opportunities can help narrow the pool of applicants you’re competing against. We’ve found 25 scholarships for college students in Michigan to help you start your search.

General Michigan Scholarships and Grants

We’ve compiled a list of general scholarships for college students in Michigan. You should also check with any local or community foundations for scholarship opportunities unique to your hometown.

Detroit Economic Club Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Undergraduates who are from Detroit and Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne counties. Applicants must be incoming first-year students and can reapply for three additional years.

Fostering Futures Scholarship

Award Amount: $3,000

Deadline: August 1

Eligibility: Michigan students who were in foster care at or after age 13 are eligible for this scholarship. You must be enrolled at least part time in a participating institution.

Horatio Alger Association State Scholarships

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: High school junior with at least a 2.0 GPA. You must be involved in community service activities, demonstrate critical financial need, and display perseverance in overcoming adversity.

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship

Award Amount: $500-$2,000

Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Michigan students with a passion for reducing distracted driving. You must submit persuasive content advocating against distracted driving in the form of a video, graphic, or tweet.

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000-$5,500

Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Any student who graduates from a Michigan high school is eligible. Scholarship amount varies depending on the type of education you pursue. For example, $2,000 is the maximum award amount for career training programs.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,500

Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Undergraduate Michigan residents with demonstrated financial need and academic merit. Students must take the SAT and earn a score of at least 1200.

Michigan First Credit Union Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: May 5

Eligibility: Michigan students with at least a 3.0 GPA and who are members of the Michigan First Credit Union. You must submit either a video or essay answering a prompt.

Michigan Tuition Grant

Award Amount: $3,000

Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Michigan residents who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. You must have demonstrated financial need and be enrolled at least part time.

Miguel Cabrera Family Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from Southeast Michigan with at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must be full-time first-generation college students or be part of a historically underrepresented population.

My Brother’s Keeper Scholarship

Award Amount: $500

Deadline: August 4

Eligibility: Michigan high school students with at least a 2.5 GPA. You must be from a low-income family and write an essay on how the scholarship would help you achieve your goals.

Rosa Parks Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Michigan high school seniors with a commitment to civil rights principles. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and submit an essay.

The S.E.T. Educational Fund

Award Amount: $6,500

Deadline: May 31

Eligibility: Michigan students attending a Michigan university. Applicants should be community-minded and have spent time volunteering.

Subject-Specific Scholarships for College Students in Michigan

If you already know your desired major and career path, you can look for subject-specific Michigan scholarships. Many organizations offer scholarships to students entering a related field.

Henry Respert Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: August 1

Major: Medical science or research

Eligibility: Michigan undergraduates studying medical research, biomedical science, neuroscience, or psychology. To apply, you must write an essay on the impact Alzheimer’s disease has had on your life.

Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: February 17

Major: Engineering

Eligibility: Michigan high school seniors who’ve been accepted into an engineering program at a Michigan university. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and write an essay on why they want to pursue an engineering career.

Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: May 31

Major: Public administration

Eligibility: You must be enrolled in a Michigan university and pursuing a career in public administration. Applicants should also be considering a career in local Michigan government.

Shelving.com Michigan Business Scholarship

Award Amount: $3,000

Deadline: July 6

Major: Business

Eligibility: Michigan residents pursuing a degree in business. Students must have at least a 2.8 GPA and submit an essay.

William B. Howell Memorial Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,500

Deadline: February 15

Major: Welding

Eligibility: Michigan undergraduates pursuing a four-year degree in a welding program. You must have at least a 2.5 GPA and proof of financial need.

School-Specific Michigan Scholarships

Many Michigan universities offer scholarships specifically for their students. We’ve highlighted some popular scholarships in Michigan offered by institutions.

Detroit Leadership Award

Award Amount: $5,000 per year

Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Incoming undergraduates at Wayne State University who are from the cities of Flint, Saginaw, Ypsilanti, or Grand Rapids, or who are from Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne County. Applicants must submit an essay detailing their community service and leadership.

Geographic Region Award

Award Amount: $6,000

Deadline: Varies

Eligibility:Oakland University students who are Michigan residents from Macomb or Oakland. You must plan to live on campus and have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Leader Advancement Scholarship

Award Amount: $8,000

Deadline: January 15

Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend Central Michigan University. You must have an impressive record of leadership in your community and at least a 3.0 GPA.

Macklin-McDowell Scholarship

Award Amount: $6,200

Deadline: August 1

Major: Education

Eligibility: Undergraduates at Michigan State University majoring in education. Applicants must write an essay about why they’re pursuing education and how they plan to make a difference.

Michigan Farm Bureau’s Marge Karker Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: October 1

Eligibility: MSU students who are enrolled in an agricultural program. Applicants or their parents must also have a Farm Bureau membership.

MSU Special Merit Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000 per year

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: Michigan residents who are National Merit Finalists and incoming MSU undergrads. Applicants must also name MSU as their first-choice college.

Visual and Performing Arts Talent Award

Award Amount: $2,000 per year

Deadline: March 27

Eligibility: Incoming first-year students at Michigan Tech who plan to participate in musical ensembles and stage productions or take coursework in the visual arts. Students must present their artistic talent for consideration.

Warrior Award

Award Amount: $6,000 per year

Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Full-time students at Wayne State University with strong academic records. The scholarship is offered to those with the strongest GPA and SAT scores.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Michigan

What scholarships does the state of Michigan offer?

The state of Michigan offers over 10 types of scholarships for Michigan students. Some are for specific demographics, like frontline workers or those who experienced foster care. Other scholarship opportunities are based on academic merit or financial need.

Can you attend college for free in Michigan?

A program called Michigan Reconnect pays students to attend their in-district community colleges at no cost to them. Students must be at least 25 years old and have lived in Michigan for at least one year.

Does Michigan offer full-ride scholarships?

High-achieving students can receive full-ride scholarships to major universities in Michigan, like the University of Michigan. Full-ride scholarship criteria typically include academic achievement, financial need, personal talents, leadership qualities, and other skills or interests.

What GPA do you need to get a scholarship in Michigan?

Most competitive Michigan scholarships ask students to have at least a 3.0 GPA. But GPA is not the only consideration when awarding scholarships — committees may also consider test scores, community service, personal achievements, and financial need.