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Scholarships can help lower the financial burden of higher education, but if you want to win a scholarship, you have to apply. Applying may be as easy as completing and submitting the FAFSA each year, but some applications are more involved. You may have to submit your transcript, your SAT or ACT scores, or write a personal statement or essay response. Unfortunately, we can’t do that part for you, but we can take some of the burden of searching for scholarships off your shoulders. If you’re a student from Michigan, this blog post is for you!
Scholarships offered by the state of Michigan:
The state of Michigan offers several opportunities to residents that meet certain requirements. Some of these eligibility requirements are the same for all scholarships:
- Students must have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Students must submit the FAFSA each year.
- Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Students must have lived in Michigan for at least one full year prior to applying.
- Students cannot be in default on a federal student loan.
- Students must enroll at least half time.
Further eligibility requirements and application procedures vary by scholarship, but to get to all of the applications, you follow the same process: After filing the FAFSA each year, login to Michigan Student Scholarships and Grants (MiSSG) or create an account. Once you access the student portal, you will be able to list your current or potential college(s) and complete additional application procedures. Completing your applications before March 1 will ensure that you are given priority consideration.
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant: This $2,800 grant is available to children of veterans, provided the veteran lived in Michigan prior to entering the military or became a Michigan resident after joining the military. Children of veterans must be between 16 and 26 years old and attending or planning to attend an eligible Michigan institution to apply. Furthermore, the veteran must be completely and permanently disabled as a result of military service or be missing in action, or have been killed in action or died as a result of a complete and permanent service-related disability. This grant is renewable for up to four years, provided the student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.25.
Fostering Futures Scholarship: This $3,000 scholarship is given to students who were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday and can demonstrate financial need. The deadline to apply is June 30, but awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; applying sooner is highly encouraged. Students can use their award at any participating institution in Michigan.
Michigan Competitive Scholarship: This scholarship offers tuition assistance to students with financial need who score well on the SAT (earning a minimum score of 1200). Students can earn up to $1,000 each year; awards are renewable for up to 10 semesters provided students maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Michigan Tuition Grant: This grant provides tuition assistance to students with financial need who attend private schools in Michigan. Students may be awarded up to $2,400 each year. Students pursuing degrees in theology, divinity, or religious education are not eligible.
Police Officer’s and Fire Fighter’s Survivor Tuition Grant: This grant provides a tuition waiver for the children and spouses of Michigan police officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. Children must have been under 21 years old at the time of the death of their parent and must be younger than 26 years old when they apply for the grant. Both spouses and children must demonstrate financial need to be eligible. This grant can be applied toward costs at public institutions and community colleges in Michigan. Award amount varies each year.
Tuition Incentive Program: This program offers assistance to students who received Medicaid for at least 24 of 36 months between the student’s 9th birthday and high school graduation. Students will be notified if they are eligible. Then, students must apply and be certified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services by August 31 after their senior year of high school. Award amount varies.
Other scholarships for Michigan residents:
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships
Award Amount: Varies
Essay: Yes
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for Michigan residents, primarily those from Kent County, who are interested in pursuing higher education. Students have to fill out only one application (and the FAFSA) to be put into the running for multiple foundation scholarships. Students will need to submit their transcripts, résumés, and information about their finances. An essay addressing “your reasons for your choice of college, chosen course of study, career goals, plans for financing your education, and information on past activities benefiting your community” is also required.
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Application Deadline: August 31, 2019
This scholarship was created in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, a Michigan teen who died in a car crash in 2010, to spread awareness about distracted driving and to prevent similar accidents. Michigan residents in their junior or senior year of high school may apply for this scholarship. Students are asked to “submit a persuasive message that shows how you would convince young drivers to reduce distractions while driving.” Students can submit a video, graphic, or Tweet. Students do not have to plan to attend a Michigan college or university; funds can be applied toward tuition at any postsecondary school in the United States.
Michigan First Credit Union Scholarship
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
The Michigan First Credit Union awards multiple scholarships to high school seniors and college students each year. Students must be members of Michigan First Credit Union to apply. Students can choose to enter the video contest or the essay contest; first place winners for each contest will be awarded $5,000, second place winners will be awarded $4,000, and third place winners will be awarded $3,000. Multiple $1,000 scholarships are also available. The 2019 application period has closed, but watch the Michigan First Credit Union website for rules and procedures for applying in 2020.
Peggy Jacques Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Award Amount: $650
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
The Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation maintains this endowment, but students do not have to be members of the foundation to apply. This scholarship is open to Michigan residents who can demonstrate financial need. As such, students are judged mainly on their financial need, but decisions are also made based upon their academics and leadership experience. The application will open in the fall.
Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation
Award Amount: $2,000
Minimum GPA Required: 2.5
Essay: Yes
The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation offers multiple $2,000 scholarships to students each year. Students must be Michigan residents in their senior year of high school who can demonstrate academic prowess, dedication to community service, and financial need. Students will be required to complete an essay, submit their high school transcripts, and submit their ACT or SAT scores as part of their applications.
This post is a great starting point when it comes to finding scholarships, but remember to do some internet searches of your own, too. You may find that your community offers its own scholarships, or you may decide to apply for a handful of national scholarships. Every bit of scholarship money helps!
