Michigan College Grants

College grants allow students who may not otherwise be able to pay for an eduction to attend an institute of higher learning beyond high school. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back. All federal benefit programs are listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. On the federal level, there are two basic types of grants:

• Formula Grants – These grants consist of money provided to each state. Distribution is based on a specific formula. However, there are no specific conditions in terms of activities or a specific project.
• Project Grants – These grants have what is termed fixed or known periods for a specific project. Project grants may include scholarships, research grants, experimental and demonstration grants, training grants, evaluation grants, survey grants or technical grants.

Federal Pell Grant

This is generally the first place a student should start in terms of finding a grant. The Pell Grantis directly tied to a student’s financial situation. The Pell Grant provides a current maximum amount of $5,550 per year per student.

The Pell Grant is based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a form a student is required to fill out and submit to considered for most grants, especially those based on need. The questions are fairly simple, such as mailing address and adjusted gross income of the student or their parents.

Preparing to Apply for Grants

Before a student starts the application process for Michigan college grants, some information must be gathered to make the application process easier. A student is likely going to be applying for multiple grants. There is no restriction on how many grants a student can apply for while seeking funding. Here is a checklist of what most students need to get started with the application process.

1. Go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance to apply for a pin number. A pin number is sent via email. A student will need a pin number to electronically sign applications and some other required documents. Until the password is sent, a student can simply print out an application and physically sign it.
2. Go to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website and fill out the FAFSA application. This is needed for many grants. Having it completed already saves a lot of time during the grant application process.
3. Find out income of parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This is needed for grants that are based on financial need. This is also a requirement for the Federal Pell Grant. A student is permitted to receive multiple grants if they are eligible.

Michigan College Grants

The application deadlines for most of these grants vary per school year. As a general rule of thumb, most grant applications should be filled out within six months of the semester to which funds will be applied.

The Heidelberg College Out of State Grant

The applicant must resident of any state except Ohio to qualify for this grant. The Heidelberg College Out of State Grant is renewable for four years. It is contingent on a student making satisfactory academic progress.

The Michigan Tuition Grant

The Michigan Tuition Grant program is available to Michigan residents who plan to attend a degree-granting program at an eligible institution of higher learning in the state of Michigan. Eligible students must show financial need to qualify. Additional eligibility requirements include:

• Documented financial need
• Student must be enrolled at least part-time at an independent post-secondary educational institution in Michigan where a degree is granted.
• Establish residency of at least a year in Michigan
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. A high school diploma or GED certificate may be required.

The grant value is up to $2,100 per academic year. The grant may be applied tuition fees and other related academic expenses towards the student’s university or college of choice. Funding and availability vary since this is a government-funded program dependent upon budgetary appropriation.

For renewal of the grant, a student must meet their institution’s satisfactory academic progress policy by demonstrating sufficient academic performance. Participating institutions are listed online.

Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

Children of Veterans Tuition Grants are specifically set aside for the children of eligible military veterans in the state of Michigan. Eligible applicants should apply to the State of Michigan Office of Scholarships and Grants as early as their sixteenth birthday. The veteran and student must meet certain qualifications.

Veteran

• Died from service disability
• Be listed MIA (by the U.S. government)
• Have been killed in action during active military operations; or
• Have died or been totally disabled as determined by VA standards

Student

• Be a United States citizen
• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 for renewal
• Be enrolled at least part-time at a Michigan community college or a public or private university
• Be a Michigan resident for at least one year before application date
• Not have been convicted of a felony that included death, injury or assault
• Must attend an eligible school listed on the Office of Scholarship and Grants website

Grand Rapids Community Fund

The Grand Rapids Community Fund is a non-profit organization that provides a privately-funded grant for eligible students to attend a college or other institute of higher learning in the state of Michigan.

The awarding of grants is generally limited to students from Kent County. There are a few exceptions, but mostly grants are restricted to Kent County applicants. The online application also enters students into various scholarship contests.

The deadline for submission various, but generally applications may be filed starting on January 1st of each year. While the grants are restricted to a certain county, each scholarship has different eligibility rules and award amounts.

Michigan Tuition Incentive Program

The Michigan Tuition Incentive Program is a program designed to encourage students to complete their high school degree and attend an institute of higher learning in the state following graduation from high school.

Eligible students must have 24 months of Medicaid coverage. The Michigan Office of Scholarship and Grants notifies students via letter if they are eligible for the program. Many community colleges, public institutions and state universities are among the eligible schools. Requirements include:

• Student must graduate with a diploma or GED by the age of 20.
• The student must return the letter to acknowledge that they wish to be considered.
• Student must enroll in a college or other institute of higher learning within four years of graduation from high school.

The first phase of the program covers tuition fees and additional mandatory fees associated with the particular institution. This includes fees for books and other required supplies.

The second phase of the program provides eligible students with tuition assistance up to $2,000 towards the completion of a four-year degree program. Funds from Phase II must be applied only towards tuition expenses. Additional restrictions and stipulations may apply.

Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant

The Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant is geared towards students who display the most financial need. Students need to attend a community or technical college at least half time to qualify. Academic progress is a factor in continuing the funding. Grants are available up to $1,000. Students may apply through the school they plan to attend and must complete the FAFSA.

Michigan Merit Award

The Michigan Merit Award focuses on student performance before attending college. This program recognizes high school seniors with outstanding scores on an aptitude test. Recipients of this financial award may earn up to $3,000. A student may apply the funds to any eligible college or university in the state.

Specialized Grants

These grants are designed for students who pursue a specific major. Awarding of a grant is contingent upon a student selecting a certain major. Some of these grants also require a student to work in a specific field for a period of time following graduation or while they are pursing their degree. Some specialized grants require an academic progress report from the student’s school.

Nursing

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

These grants are geared towards encouraging students to become nurse practitioners. They are available to existing academy members who plan on entering graduate school. The award amount varies.

Institute of Medicine

These grants are very competitive with grants extended to one senior high school student each school year.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses

Small and large grants are offered. Recipients must be members of the association.

American Nurses Foundation

Those already practicing nursing who wish to attend graduate school may qualify for this grant. Some grants are awarded to those just entering school who plan to major in nursing.

American School Health Association

Research grants are offered to current nursing students with the purpose of providing funds for a specific university research project or students who require additional funding to complete their eduction.

Emergency Nurses Association

Grants are offered to students who are currently seeking a nursing degree in emergency care.

Gerontological Society of America

Grants are extended to nursing students with the requirement that they major in gerontology.

American Cancer Society

Grants are offered to nurses in graduate school with the stipulation that recipients specialize in oncology.

Teaching and Education

The Michigan Department of Education provides information on available education and teaching grants and scholarships in the state of Michigan. Some of the available grants are contingent upon a student pursuing a teaching or education-related career.

TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per academic year or $16,000 in total if the student pursues an undergraduate program and $8,000 in total for graduate studies. Recipients are required to be full-time students. Additionally, the recipient must plan to teach full-time in what are deemed high-need subject areas at schools that serve low-income families.

Students are able to attend less than full-time. However, they will receive a reduced grant amount. Students attending three-quarters of full-time may be eligible for up to $3,000. Half-time students may be eligible for $2,000. Students going less than half-time may be eligible for up to $1,000.

Note: Students who receive the TEACH Grant and do not fulfill all requirements will be required to pay back the money as a loan with interest at the same rate as the federal Stafford Loan compounded from the date the grant was first awarded. It is estimated that only 20 percent of students accepted for this grant fulfill all obligations with about 80 percent of grant recipients repaying it as a loan.

Corporate Grants

Many businesses in Michigan offer grants and other financial award programs for enterprising students. Common requirements include financial need, being from a certain area or pursuing a specific degree. Some funding programs require community service. Amounts and deadlines vary. The applications for most of these grants are found on the company’s website.

A full listing of corporate grants is available here. Keep in mind that some of these grants have limited funding, meaning it is best to apply early to get a share of the available grant money.

7-Eleven Community Outreach Programs

Typical grants range from $1,000-$2,500 and are not renewable. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Contact Info:

Nancy Lear (Manager) Community Affairs
7-Eleven, Inc., P. O. Box 711
Dallas, Texas 75221

Allen Foundation (Midland)

The Allen Foundation makes grants available for projects that specifically benefit human nutrition with a focus on education, training and research.

Contact Info: Not available, apply via website.

Alticor Corporate Giving (Ada)

Most financial awards focus on the arts and culture, education and health and human services with an emphasis on the Grand Rapids area.

Contact Info: Not available, see website.

American Axle & Manufacturing (Detroit)

Most contributions, sponsorships and related programs support educational and youth-focused initiatives.

Contact Info:

American Axle & Manufacturing
1 Manufacturing Way
Three Rivers, Michigan 49093

Phone: (269) 278-0211

Amerinsure Corporate Giving Program (Farmington Hills)

This company has a long history of community support and charity efforts which has included grants. Specific information on amounts awarded is not available.

Contact Info:

Amerinsure
26777 Halsted Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331-3586

Phone: (800) 257-1900

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo

Funds are granted based on artistic merit.

Contact Info:

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo
359 S Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007-4844

Phone: (269) 342-5059

Best Buy Community Grants/Scholarships

Best Buy provides various community grants. As for specific education-related purposes, the company offers scholarships for current high school students in grades 9-12. Students must be planning to attend a full-time undergraduate course of study.

The school must be an accredited two or four-year institution. This includes vocational-technical schools. Interested eligible students should apply early. Best Buy annually awards 1,000 students scholarships of $1,000. The deadline is February 16th annually. Requirements include:

• Solid academic performance
• Community service work or experience

Contact Info:

Best Buy
P.O. Box 9312
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440

Phone: 1-888-237-8289

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (Detroit)

More than $1 million is available annually for grants set aside for academic, community nonprofit and health service delivery organizations. Funds and award amounts vary.

Contact Info:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
c/o Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
P.O. Box 311528
Detroit, MI 48231

Bretzlaff Foundation (Milford)

The foundation provides educational grants to students attending conservative schools who plan to attend institutions of higher learning. The school a student selects must promote high moral, education and conservative ideals.

Contact Info:

The Hilda E. Bretzlaff Foundation
1550 N. Milford Road, Suite 101
Milford, Michigan 48381
Phone: (248) 684-3408

Chrysler Foundation

The foundation has provided hundreds of grants over the years. The main requirement is that a student be enrolled in either a two or four-year institution. Award amounts and application deadlines vary.

Contact Info:

The Chrysler Foundation
c/o Brian G. Glowiak, Vice President and Secretary
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
Phone: (248) 512-2500

Citizens Bank

Citizens offers a scholarship program valued at up to $7,500. Grants are not directly awarded by the bank for educational purposes. However, Citizens Bank does recommend the following sources of state grant/scholarship funds:

• LEAP (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) program
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships
• SLEAP (Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) program
• GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) program

Contact Info:

Citizens Bank
328 S. Saginaw Street
Flint, Michigan 48502
Phone: (800) 708-6684

Comcast Foundation

The foundation provides a $1,000 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship available to eligible high school seniors from the Comcast Foundation. The foundation has a history of sponsoring education-related programs throughout the United States.

Contact Info:

The Comcast Foundation
c/o Diane Dietz, Executive Director
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148
Phone: (215) 665-1700

Dow Chemical Company

The company offers the Dow Chemical Premier Scholarship Program, which awards up to $3,000 to eligible students who major in engineering.

Contact Info:

Dow Chemical Company
2030 Dow Center
Midland, Michigan 48674
Phone: (989) 636-1000

Ewald Foundation (H.T.)

The Foundation Scholarship Program targets the Detroit metropolitan area and provides necessary funding to eligible students in that area.

Contact Info:

Ewald Foundation (H.T.)
15450 E. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 180
Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48230-2031
Phone: (313) 821-1278

(Sergei) Fedorov Foundation

The foundation provides scholarships to students from at-risk backgrounds to attend Michigan universities. Programs also include summer employment opportunities for students planning to pursue education beyond high school.

Contact Info:

Sergei Fedorov Foundation
322 N. Old Woodward Ave.
Birmingham, MI 48009-5321
Phone: (248) 646-8292

Ford Motor Company

The company provides a variety of grants and scholarships. The amounts vary. Some grants are sent to certain schools with others made available directly to students as part of a fund.

Contact Info:

Ford Motor Company
1 American Road
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48126-2798
Phone: (313) 322-3000

General Motors Foundation

The company offers a variety of scholarship opportunities, including some funding up to $10,000 for eligible students. Students may apply online. Deadlines vary.

Contact Info:

General Motors Foundation
c/o Vivian Rogers Pickard, president
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan 48265
Phone: (313) 665-4085

(Hal and Jean) Glassen Memorial Foundation (Okemos)

The Foundation provides financial assistance as grants, scholarships and other financial assistance. No application is required.

Contact Info:

Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation
c/o Neil A. McLean, President
Phone: (517) 482-3800

Michigan Agri-Business Association (E. Lansing)

A trust has been established to provide scholarship and other academic-related funds to students who pursue an agricultural-based education. As a condition to accepting funds, students must agree to work for a MABA member during summer months.

Contact Info:

Michigan Agri-Business Association Educational Trust
1501 North Shore Dr., Suite A
East Lansing, Michigan 48823-1759
Phone: (517) 336-0223

Michigan Retailers Foundation

Besides providing grants to the Lansing, Michigan community, the foundation provides scholarships to undergraduates studying marketing and management.

Contact Info:

Michigan Retailers Foundation
603 S Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48933

Target Corporate

Target provides grant money to certain communities, some of which goes towards education-related expenses. The Target All-Around Scholarships provide millions of dollars in educational funding each year. Candidates for these scholarships may be either graduating high school seniors or undergraduate college students. An emphasis is on community involvement.

Contact Info:

Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
Phone: (800) 775-3110

Walmart Community Giving Program

The program includes the Walton Family Foundation Scholarship. The application deadline is January 31st annually. In order to qualify, a student must meet the following criteria:

• be the legal dependent of a full-time Walmart Associate (employed for at least one year).
• be a senior, graduating high school/home school (GED accepted)
• have a minimum 22 ACT or 1030 SAT score (a combination of critical reading and math).
• be able to demonstrate financial need.

Contact Info:

Walmart Corporation
c/o WalMart Community Giving Program
Attention: Julie Gehrki, Senior Manager, Walmart Foundation
702 S.W. 8th Street Dept. 8687 #0555.
Bentonville, Arizona 72716-0555

Whirlpool Foundation & Corporate Giving Program (Benton Harbor)

Young Foundation (Detroit)

Program sponsors four-year, renewable scholarships. Each scholarship is payable in $4,000 increments per academic year. The focuses primarily on assisting minority youth in the Detroit area. Eligible students can apply online. The deadline varies.

Contact Info:

Coleman A. Young Foundation
2111 Woodward Ave # 600
Detroit, Michigan 48201-3473
Phone: (313) 962-2200

Agriculture

American Floral Endowment

The American Floral Endowment provides research grants focusing on management of horticultural plants. Amounts vary. Students are required to be enrolled in a horticultural program.

American Rhododendron Society

Research grants are provided to qualifying students studying rhodi-specific topics such as genetics, pest control and fertilization. Eligible students should contact their local ARS chapter in Michigan. Amounts vary.

Future Farmers of America

Grants are available from the National FFA Organization to help support FFA chapters, including the
Michigan FFA chapter. To apply, a student should contact their local chapter for information on available grants and scholarships. Amounts vary.

African Studies

Ruth Simms Hamilton Research Fellowship

This fellowship, named after former Michigan State University professor Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, supports “cutting-edge” research for graduate-level students in African Studies.

Contact Info:

Research Fellowship Processing
c/o ISTS
PO Box 23737
Nashville, Tennessee 37202-3737
Phone: (615) 320-3149

Anthropology

National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration

This grant provides fund for students specializing in studies in paleontology, biology, archaeology, oceanography or anthropology as a field of study. Available grant funds vary. Students should contact their local chapter for the National Geographic Society for details pertaining to schools in Michigan.

Contact Info:

National Geographic Society
P.O. Box 98199
Washington, DC 20090-8199

Arts

Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators Fine Arts Grants

These grants are geared towards art students doing graduate level work in painting or mixed media. Grants are available to students throughout the United States.

Contact Info:

Alpha Delta Kappa
International Honorary Organization for Women Educators
1615 West 92nd. Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Phone: (816) 363-5525

Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation: Fellowships for Caricature and Cartoon

Funding is available for Ph.D. students working towards a dissertation focusing on cartoon and caricature. Grant amounts are up to $15,000 a year toward a doctoral degree. Most universities and colleges in Michigan with the applicable courses should accent funding from this grant.

Contact Info:

Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress
c/o Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540

Athletics

National Strength Conditioning Association

This grant is geared toward students pursing strength conditioning and related fields. Grants are available for undergraduate, graduate and research students.

Contact Info:

NSCA, 1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
Phone: (719) 632-6722

National Recreation and Park Association

NRPA awards $500 Student Initiative Grants to undergraduate students who major in Recreation and Park Management or similar fields.

Contact Info:

National Recreation and Park Association
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, Virginia 20148
Phone: (703) 858-0784

Business

National Society of Accountants

Grants are provided for students pursuing education-related fields.

Note: The Michigan Association of CPAs Teams provides scholarship funds in association with the Detroit Red Wings.

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Funding is available for students who are dependents of a veteran who was previously awarded the Purple Heart. Eligible students must be pursuing a business degree. Recipients may receive up to $1,000 for full-time study.

Contact Info:

Military Order of the Purple Heart
477 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone: (313) 964-6888

Minorities

Fellowship for Ethnic Minorities (through the American Society of Criminology)

Funding is intended to encourage more minority students to pursue law and criminal justice careers.

Contact Info:

American Society of Criminology
1314 Kinnear Road, Suite 212
Columbus, Ohio 43212-1156
Phone: (614) 292-9207

Music

American Musicological Society

Provides fellowships, awards, research and travel grants. Some scholarships sponsored by the AMS are specific to Michigan schools.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Scholarships and grants are offered to Kent county residents with approximately $500,000 in awards each year. Grants are also available for nearby counties.

Contact Info:

Grand Rapids Community Foundation
185 Oakes Street SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Phone: (616) 454-1751

Religion

Thrivent

Funding is provided to Lutheran students who meet eligibility requirements. Amounts vary.

Contact Info:

Michigan Regional Financial Office
6200 State St., Suite 3
Saginaw, Michigan 48603
Phone: (989) 792-2067

American Baptist Church National Ministries

To be eligible for the organization’s financial aid program, a student must be affiliated with the American Baptist Church.

Science

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation

Annual grants are sponsors with award amounts up to $2,000 to be used toward thesis research.

Western Society of Malacologists

These grants are for biology students specializing in malacology (the study of mollusks).

Tips for Applying for Grants

1. Know What You Need – Consider short-term and long-term goals. Make a list of your estimated financial need, including what the total cost will be to meet your education goals. This provides a good estimate of how much financial assistance be necessary.
2. Don’t Prepare a Generic Proposal – It is tempted to send up generic proposals for every grant, scholarship or fellowship. However, proposals should be tailored to each specific grant or other financial award a student is seeking to achieve maximum results. In other words, a personal touch is better.
3. Consider Multiple Sources – A Student should apply to as many grants as possible. Acceptance does not mean a student must take every grant. It is best to have multiple options in case some sources of funding fall through or do not provide enough assistance.
4. Do Not Overload Your Application – A student follow the instructions of each application. Overloading an application with extras will not make a student more attractive. In fact, it could have the opposite effect.
5. Review Your Application – Spelling and grammar mistakes are not good on a grant application. Applications should be reviewed before submitting them to make sure all requirements are met and to check for common errors.

College Grant Information By State