Scholarships at Michigan State University

Incoming first-year students at Michigan State University who are among the most outstanding applicants and apply for admission by November 1, 2026 may be invited to compete in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship examination. Fifteen awards are given to the top candidates based on intellectual performance in that competition. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, room and board (double occupancy in an MSU residence hall and silver meal plan), plus $1,000 annually, and is renewable for up to eight semesters. Invitations are sent to outstanding students who meet the November 1 admission application timing; participation in the competitive exam is required for selection.

The Harold I. Gach Scholarship Endowment awards two scholarships annually to incoming first-year Michigan residents from Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties who have been affected by cancer, either the student or a parent. Applicants must complete the separate Harold I. Gach Scholarship application through their MSU admissions account in addition to the standard admission application. MSU verifies county residency and the cancer impact criterion before finalizing awards. Funding limits the number of recipients each year.

The Carol Robinson Beals Endowed Nursing Scholarship honors a College of Nursing alumna and supports undergraduate nursing students at Michigan State University. Recipients are selected based on academic record, financial need, and family means, with preference for Michigan residents from rural areas, then other Michigan residents, then Midwest residents. Applicants must maintain a minimum three point three GPA. College of Nursing students in the Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, and RN-BSN programs are eligible to apply through college scholarship processes.