Net enough capital to avoid drowning under a current of tuition hikes in the “Water Wonderland.” It’s possible thanks to the boatload of scholarships in Michigan.
Michigan is bordered by four of the Great Lakes. It spans two peninsulas as America’s 11th most-extensive state. College students make up a significant part of Michigan’s 9.9 million population. There are 46 public and 52 private institutions.
Young adults often adore Michigan for its:
- 85 miles of shoreline
- jazz clubs
- auto-related jobs
- apple orchards
- 8.8 million acres of fores
- breathtaking landmarks like Isle Royale National Park
Students also stay for top-notch learning at:
- Hope College
- Kettering University
- Western Michigan University
- Rochester College, and more
In fact, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor was placed 27th nationally by the U.S. News.
Anchor your unique collegiate goals for success with funding from the following 20 Michigan scholarships.
1. Armando “Frank” Quaglia Veteran’s Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Completing the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s General Application enters you for over 50 Michigan scholarships. These total $1.1 million, including the Armando “Frank” Quaglia Veteran’s Scholarship. This merit-based program selects Kent and Ionia County residents who are:
- U.S. Armed Forces veterans
- spouses, children, and step-children of veterans
Qualified applicants are those pursuing accredited bachelor’s degrees in-state for engineering or healthcare majors. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Contact
Armando “Frank” Quaglia Veteran’s Scholarship
185 Oakes Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-1751 ext. 103
rbishop@grfoundation.org
2. Clarence L. Remynse Scholarship Program
Deadline: December 1st
The Clarence L. Remynse Scholarship Program offers $250 to $7,500 per year. The program is operated by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. It supports local graduating high school seniors who are pursuing bachelor’s study in:
- business
- law
- education
- psychology
- medicine
- STEM fields
Interested candidates must:
- have lived in Kalamazoo County for 12+ months
- gain admission at regionally accredited colleges in Michigan
- display good citizenship
- keep a minimum 3.0 GPA
- submit the FAFSA.
Contact
Clarence L. Remynse Scholarship Program
402 East Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 381-4416
scholarships@kalfound.org
3. Community Choice Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: February 1st
Community Choice Credit Union’s Foundation grants scholarships for Michigan public or private high school seniors. CCCU members or their children could receive up to $5,000 to defray tuition costs at an accredited two- or four-year college. For eligibility, entrants must:
- intend to live and work in Michigan post-graduation
- have a minimum B average
- display a track record of community volunteerism
- have unmet need.
Contact
Community Choice Foundation Scholarships
31155 Northwestern Highway, Suite 174
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(877) 243-2528
4. Dakota Pequeno Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 10th
The Dakota Pequeno Memorial Scholarship is named after the 16-year-old Clinton Township native who tragically died after a grand mal seizure in 2009. The scholarship gifts $1,000 from the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan yearly. Appropriate applicants will:
- be between 17 and 25 years old
- have been diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure disorder
- have a permanent address in Michigan
- be accepted at any accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
- submit a 300-word essay on their health challenges.
Contact
Dakota Pequeno Memorial Scholarship
25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 110
Southfield, MI 48033
(248) 351-7979
aschott@epilepsymichigan.org
5. Dr. Gerald O’Connor Michigan Scholarship
Deadline: December 1st
The Dr. Gerald O’Connor Michigan Scholarship is worth $2,000 per year for $8,000 total. It’s presented by the American Quarter Horse Association to assist “Wolverine State” residents actively involved in equestrian competition. Qualified recipients will:
- have been AQHA or AQHYA members for 12+ months
- finish a high school diploma or GED
- gain admission at an accredited two- or four-year college
- carry a cumulative GPA above 2.5.
Contact
Dr. Gerald O’Connor Michigan Scholarship
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
P.O. Box 200
Amarillo, TX 79104
(806) 376-4811
lowens@aqha.org
6. Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarships
Deadline: February 28th
The Gerber Foundation was established in 1952 by the Fremont-based baby food purveyor. It awards multiple Merit Scholarships valued at $2,600 annually. It’s to aid college-bound high school seniors in the Michigan counties of:
- Newaygo
- Muskegon
- Oceana counties
Applicants must:
- be pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree full-time at accredited U.S. colleges, excluding federal military academies
- have a GPA between 2.0 and 3.7
Michiganders with higher grades could earn the $10,600 Daniel Gerber Sr. Medallion Scholarship.
Contact
Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarships
4747 W. 48th Street, Suite 153
Fremont, MI 49412
(231) 924-3175
tgf@gerberfoundation.org
7. Gloria Wille Bell & Carlos R. Bell Scholarships
Deadline: February 1st
The Gloria Wille Bell & Carlos R. Bell Charitable Trust offers lucrative scholarships. They’re worth up to $80,000 to high school seniors in select areas of:
- Virginia
- Michigan
- Illinois
Funding supports academically talented freshmen with a minimum 3.0 GPA attend any University of Michigan campus full-time. Students must select science-related majors in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts or College of Engineering.
Contact
Gloria Wille Bell & Carlos R. Bell Scholarships
800 East Canal Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 775-1900
jogrady@mcguirewoods.com
8. H.L. “Bud” Conrad Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
The Associated General Contractors of Michigan Endowment Fund offers five scholarships. They’re worth $2,500 to undergrads and $3,750 to graduate students, such as the H.L. “Bud” Conrad Memorial Scholarship. Eligible U.S. citizens or documented residents must:
- be at least full-time sophomores
- attend an ABET- or ACCE-accredited college in Michigan
- pursue a degree in construction management or construction-related engineering
- hold a minimum 2.0 GPA
- submit an employment supervisor’s evaluation.
Contact
H.L. “Bud” Conrad Memorial Scholarship
26001 Five Mile Road
Redford, MI 48239
(248) 721-0075
vgotts@agcmichigan.org
9. Jeptha Wade Schureman Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan provides a single-step application for 25 funds like the Jeptha Wade Schureman Scholarship annually. It’s named after the Army veteran who taught at the University of Detroit Dental School. The $7,500 award supports fatherless children in the counties of:
- Wayne
- Oakland
- Livingston
- St. Clair
- Macomb
- Monroe
- Lenawee
- Washtenaw
Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must seek nursing, dentistry, or medical careers at accredited, nonprofit Michigan colleges.
Contact
Jeptha Wade Schureman Scholarship
333 W. Fort Street, Suite 2010
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-6675
scholarships@cfsem.org
10. Judge Gary R. McDonald Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
The Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded over $4.5 million total through 190 Michigan scholarship funds. These include the Judge Gary R. McDonald Memorial Scholarship. It’s intended for Saginaw County residents who are earning bachelor’s or graduate degrees full-time in law-related fields. They must be at accredited U.S. institutions. They also must have a satisfactory GPA higher than 2.5.
Locals could also consider the Frank N. Andersen Memorial or Bernice Barlow NAACP Scholarships.
Contact
Judge Gary R. McDonald Memorial Scholarship
1 Tuscola Street, Suite 100B
Saginaw, MI 48607
(989) 755-0545
leeann@saginawfoundation.org
11. Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
The Michigan Architectural Foundation offers the annual Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship for $1,500. It’s to encourage college students who are completing a Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture degree. Eligible recipients will carry a minimum B average at NAAB-accredited schools in-state, including:
- University of Michigan
- University of Detroit/Mercy
- Lawrence Technological University
- Andrews University
- Kendall College
Don’t forget to submit a digital-only design portfolio in PDF format for review.
Contact
Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship
4219 Woodward Avenue, Suite 205
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 965-4100
info@michiganarchitecturalfoundation.org
12. Lilo Wendell College Scholarship Fund
Deadline: May 31st
The Archdiocese of Detroit offers the Lilo Wendell College Scholarship Fund. It’s for up to $4,000 per year to female Catholic high school seniors. They must be the daughters of single mothers, including divorcees and widows. Faithful applicants must:
- belong to Michigan parishes within the Detroit Archdiocese
- gain acceptance at an accredited U.S. college
- reach an overall GPA of 2.5 or better
- be involved in community service activities
- have economic need.
Contact
Lilo Wendell College Scholarship Fund
12 State Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 883-8657
development@aod.org
13. Margaret Ellis and Anona White Scholarships
Deadline: February 28th
Detroit Chapter 183 of the National Association of Women in Construction awards three Margaret Ellis and Anona White Scholarships for $500. These support future skilled tradespeople of both sexes. Accepted candidates must be full- or part-time undergrads at Michigan colleges. They must major in:
- civil engineering
- architecture
- construction
- building science
- related fields in the construction industry
Applications must include:
- a transcript
- financial need statement
- resume
- 500-word essay response.
Contact
Margaret Ellis and Anona White Scholarships
43636 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 417-0830
nfsfscholarship@gmail.com
14. Michigan GEAR UP College Day Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
The GEAR UP College Day Scholarship is funded under Title 34 of the Higher Education Act. It bestows up to $5,500 annually from the Michigan Student Financial Services Bureau. It’s reserved for students who successfully finished the six-year Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs curriculum. Other criteria requires:
- being under 22 years old
- receiving the Pell Grant
- attending an approved Michigan public college at least half-time
- not being incarcerated.
Contact
Michigan GEAR UP College Day Scholarship
P.O. Box 30462
Lansing, MI 48909
(888) 447-2687
ssg@michigan.gov
15. NASW-Michigan Student Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: August 1st
The National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter sponsors the Student Leadership in Diversity Scholarship. It’s for $500 to financially support one BSW and one MSW recipient yearly. Successful candidates will:
- hold NASW membership
- attend a CSWE-accredited college in Michigan
- excel with an above-average academic record
- display leadership potential by promoting projects for social justice
Past scholars have studied at:
- Michigan State
- Grand Valley State
- Oakland
- Madonna, and more.
Contact
NASW-Michigan Student Leadership Scholarship
741 N. Cedar Street, Suite 100
Lansing, MI 48906
(517) 487-1548
office@nasw-michigan.org
16. Ottawa County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Ottawa County Farm Bureau Scholarship is generously funded by Lester and Adrianna Langeland. It awards $2,500 yearly to children of active members. They must have been accepted to Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Chosen applicants should enter majors like Agribusiness Management or Horticulture. They need a 2.75 GPA or higher.
Similar agricultural scholarships in Michigan include the $1,500 Thomas Jennings Memorial and $1,000 Connie Maystead Memorial Scholarships.
Contact
Ottawa County Farm Bureau Scholarship
6355 Lake Michigan Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
(616) 895‐5846
jscraml@michfb.com
17. Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
The Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship honors the late NATaT President. It’s distributed for $1,000 by the Michigan Townships Association each year. It’s for full-time college juniors, seniors, and graduate students. They must be studying public administration at accredited, four-year Michigan universities. Their goal is for careers in local government leadership. By the deadline, applications must arrive with:
- a faculty recommendation
- MTA-member resolution of support
- brief essay on issues facing Michigan townships.
Contact
Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship
512 Westshire Drive
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 321-6467
jenn@michigantownships.org
18. Rollie Hopgood Future Teachers Scholarships
Deadline: June 5th
The American Federation of Teachers Michigan offers the Rollie Hopgood Future Teachers Scholarships. They annually provide $1,000 to two graduating high school seniors and two paraprofessional members. Suitable candidates must be registered for 8+ credits at an accredited Michigan university to major in:
- early childhood education
- elementary education
- secondary education
- special education
Applications must include:
- an official transcript showing a minimum 2.5 GPA
- 500-word personal goals statement
- two references.
Contact
Rollie Hopgood Future Teachers Scholarships
2661 E. Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 393-2200
jrowe@aftmichigan.org
19. Thelma Orr Memorial Medicine Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
MidMichigan Medical Center – Alpena offers the Thelma Orr Memorial Medicine Scholarship.It’s awarded each Spring for $1,500 to two college sophomores enrolled at accredited Michigan universities. They must be studying human healthcare fields, such as:
- nursing
- public health
- speech-language pathology
Applications are accepted only from the counties of:
- Alpena
- Alcona
- Iosco
- Montmorency
- Oscoda
- Presque Isle
Applicants must attach:
- an official transcript
- list of extracurricular activities
- goals statement
- two recommendations.
Contact
Thelma Orr Memorial Medicine Scholarship
1501 W. Chisholm Street
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 356-7546
amanda.timm@midmichigan.org
20. Women in Defense Michigan Scholarship
Deadline: May 12th
The Women in Defense Michigan Chapter offers the HORIZONS-Michigan Scholarship. It’s for up to $3,500 to support female United States citizens. They must be attending accredited, in-state colleges full- or part-time to build national security careers. Accepted majors include:
- military history
- government
- international relations
- homeland security
- law
- criminal justice
- political science
Other scholarship stipulations require:
- attaining junior status with 60+ credits
- possessing a minimum 3.25 GPA
- having unmet educational costs.
Contact
Women in Defense Michigan Scholarship
P.O. Box 4744
Troy, MI 48099
(248) 643-6590
scholarships@wid-mi.org
Financial aid comes in handy for Midwesterners studying in the “Mitten State.” Michigan ranks as America’s sixth most expensive state for college with tuition rising by 19.6 percent since 2010. On average, Michigan colleges charge $6,466 for in-state and $17,499 for out-of-state residents annually. Certain costly outliers, especially private nonprofits, dive deeper into your pockets. For example, Albion College lists a comprehensive fee of $55,260 per year! Getting your paws on free assistance can make these prices topple though. Check out these 20 scholarships in Michigan in addition to state-based aid like the Michigan Tuition Grant and Tuition Incentive Program.
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