Explore the Benefits of the Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Eligibility for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship

1. Provide Social Security Number: Students must furnish their Social Security number to MI Student Aid by their senior year in high school.
2. SAT Qualification: Achieve a qualifying SAT score of at least 1200 before college enrollment.
3. ACT Qualification (Pre-2017): For applicants before the Class of 2017, they must have attained a qualifying ACT score of at least 23 (composite) or 90 (scaled score) before entering college.
4. High School Diploma: Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
5. Financial Need: Demonstrate financial need.
6. Enrollment: Enroll at least half-time.
7. Michigan Residency: Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If dependent, the parent must also meet this residency requirement.
8. Citizenship Status: Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee.
9. No Incarceration: Must not be incarcerated.
10. Renewal GPA Requirement: For renewal, maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
11. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): For renewal, students must meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
12. No Federal Loan Default: Must not be in default on a Federal student loan.

The Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program Limits

Award Restrictions:

Awards are limited to covering tuition and mandatory fees, with a maximum payout of $1,500 for the academic year at participating institutions.

Financial Aid Coordination:

It is the responsibility of the college financial aid office to coordinate all sources of aid for which a student may be eligible.

Other gift aid received may reduce or cancel this award.

1. Eligibility Termination: Program eligibility ends when a student meets any of the following conditions:
   • Receives a baccalaureate degree.
   • Exhausts their check counts (equivalent to 10 full-time semesters/terms).
   • Has been out of high school for over ten years, whichever occurs first.
2. Check Counts: Each student starts with a pool of 60 check counts, equivalent to 10 full-time semesters/terms.
3. Funding Availability: Current and future awards are subject to available and approved funding.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship Application Process

Submit FAFSA by May 1: Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1.

Select Priority School: The first institution listed on the FAFSA will receive priority consideration.

College Choice Updates: Students must take responsibility for informing MI Student Aid if they decide to change their college choice.

Benefits of the Michigan Competitive Scholarship:

1. Financial Support: The scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students pursuing their first degrees.
2. Tuition and Fee Coverage: It covers tuition and mandatory fees, helping to alleviate the cost burden of education.
3. Maximum Award: Students can receive up to a maximum of $1,500 for the academic year at participating institutions.
4. financial aid Coordination: Colleges’ financial aid offices help coordinate all eligible sources of aid, ensuring students receive the maximum support available.
5. Flexible Eligibility: Alternative scholastic achievement criteria may be considered for certain student cohorts.
6. Renewable: The scholarship is renewable as long as students maintain the required GPA and meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
7. Check Counts: Students start with 60 check counts, equivalent to 10 full-time semesters/terms, ensuring support throughout their undergraduate education.
8. State Residency: It encourages Michigan residency, benefiting both the student and the state.
9. No Loan Default: Eligibility is not affected by federal student loan default status.
10. Subject to Funding: Awards are subject to available and approved funding, ensuring continued support for eligible students.