Skip to main content

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

A group of students sitting at a table talking.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

The Michigan Competitive Scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first degree and is based on both financial need and merit. To be considered, a student must take the SAT (Class of 2017 and beyond) prior to entering college and achieve a qualifying score of at least 1200.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship is no longer available to students who have graduated high school (or its equivalent) in 2023 or greater.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship will permanently end September 30, 2029.

Eligibility Criteria

Student must:

  • File a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.
  • Achieve a qualifying SAT score of at least 1200 prior to entering college. 
    • SAT test scores must be made available to MiLEAP by June 30 of the academic year in which the student completes high school or its recognized equivalent.
    • Prior to the Class of 2017, eligible applicants must have achieved a qualifying ACT score of at least 23 (composite) or 90 (scaled score) prior to entering college. 
  • Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. 
  • Demonstrate financial need. 
  • Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution.
  • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. 
    • If you are a dependent student, the contributor(s) on your FAFSA must also be a Michigan resident.
    • This will be confirmed based on your FAFSA.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee. 
  • Not be incarcerated. 
  • Not be in default on a Federal student loan. 

Application Process

Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.

Awards are based on the first Michigan college choice listed on the FAFSA. Students are responsible for notifying MI Student Aid of a change in their college choice. This can be done through the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 888-447-2687.

Renewal Requirements

In addition to the initial eligibility requirements, to renew, a student must: 

  • File  a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Maintain Michigan residency.
  • Be an undergraduate student.
  • Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
  • Meet institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.

Program Limits

Program eligibility ends when a student:

  • Has received a baccalaureate degree, or
  • Has exhausted their check counts (a method used to monitor MCS usage). Each student will have a starting pool of 60 check counts (the equivalent of 10 full-time semesters/terms), or
  • Has been out of high school over ten years, whichever occurs first.

Current and future awards are subject to available and approved funding.

Participating Institutions

Michigan public degree-granting community college, public university; or Michigan private or independent, degree-granting non-profit institution. Cannot be an institution whose primary purpose is to prepare students for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious sect.

Award Amount

Awards are restricted to tuition and mandatory fees and pay up to a maximum of $1,500 for the academic year at participating institutions. 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 may reduce or cancel this award.

Additional Resources