Now that we’re in, it’s time to see how we’re gonna pay for it. I was looking through the U-M Scholarships Page and I was a bit confused. I’m not sure if we can start applying for these scholarships now or if we’re supposed to do so once we’re already enrolled at Michigan. Also, how would scholarship opportunities be different if I were pre-admitted to Ross? If anyone could help we out with these questions I would greatly appreciate it. (If it changes anything, I’m Out of State BTW)
Feel free to post absolutely anything scholarship-related: private and public scholarships, in-state and out-of-state opportunities, work-study programs, grants, deadlines, links, anything!
It is very confusing. Hopefully when packets arrive in the mail it will explain things a little better. From what I remember reading, they made it sound like you are automatically considered for scholarships if you apply early. There are some extra scholarships you can apply for now based on the college you were admitted to, those you have to apply on your own. That is how I understood it, but could be wrong. We are OOS so we are hoping for some scholarships.
Most of the merit scholarships are automatically considered if you are admitted before February. In other words, if you applied EA and accepted. There are a few scholarships that have separated applications and some have special requirement too. Make sure you have answer the scholarship profile on WA as they may use that info to match your potential merit aids. There are also scholarships by invitation. You would know if you are the invited to apply.
It is wonderful to get into a college but the reality of choosing a school based on money weighs heavy. I had almost ruled out UofM because I thought I wasn’t going to be able to afford it.
As soon as I made it to Campus Days for admitted students last year, I had a new found level of respect for UofM. When you are “in”, they really mean it. You become part of the family and they take care of you. You can feel it. They want you to succeed in every sense of the word.
Don’t get me wrong. Students will not receive a free ride or get to skate financially, but UofM really gets a handle on your family’s finances and steps up. Grants and scholarships are a big part of that. I wouldn’t be here today without their diligence and support. A different university’s Honors College offered next to nothing compared to the financial support UofM came through with for me.
What I didn’t realize is that you do not pay per credit like most universities. Instead, you pay by semester and it is up to you as to how you use the amazing resources the university has to offer. So whether you take 14 credits or 18, it is the same price for every student. Once you reach sophomore-status in terms of # of credits, the semester cost goes up (and that is where AP credits may work against you from a money standpoint).
Lastly, I accepted work-study too. I moved in one day, interviewed the next and had a paid research job in my area of interest by the first day I stepped foot in my first freshman class. I am being PAID to work in research at one of their world-class facilities and developing invaluable relationships in my field! As your employer, they understand the homework-load and have easily worked with my study schedule.
I agree with above. Throughout the years, my D1 received additional scholarships that replaced most, if not all, the loan and work study. Those departmental scholarships are both merit and need based. They even increase the amount in the senior year. Between the multiple scholarships and the grant, my D1 is basically tuition free.
For in-state students, there are a couple small but easy to get scholarships. Fist, the top ~1200 in state students will recieve the non renewable Regents Scholarship which was $1500 a few years ago. Second, most if not all in state students will receive the Michigan Competitive Scholarship which is up to $1000 per year and is renewable. The only requirements are SAT >1200, submit FAFSA by March 1, and notify SSG your SSN and top asd your in state school choice.
I totally agree with all the above. We are out of state but Michigan gave enough that it was about the same as going to our home school University of Illinois. My son had work study but we laugh since he applied for a fun job at being an referee for flag football and Umpire at softball. He applied one day and had the job the next day. He gets a check and not sure if it is through work/study and/or just a job he found. You can find a job at anything that really interests you. When Michigan raised tuition they also automatically raised his scholarship level to almost match, without us asking. Once you are there, they want you to stay.
Huge issue guys: just found out that because I’m applying for Preferred Admission to Ross, I’m not eligible for any LSA scholarships. This is a really big setback…
For me personally, I got the Alumni scholarship because I got accepted and I’m from a really rural part of Michigan that has students that do not usually apply for U of M. I’m not positive on the amount but I believe it is $1,200 to $1,500.
When did you find this out? By regular mail, Wolverine Access, or email? Are you in state or out of state?
My son was accepted early action but we have not received anything other than the status of acceptance on the website. Financial information would be very helpful.
@5Dis Check out their official LSA Scholarships page and go to the Prospective Students section. I’m also still waiting for my official letter of admission on the mail, but it’s probably gonna came in really late because mail is having some problems where I live. Im out of state BTW.
Heres what they say:
“LSA scholarships for entering freshmen are intended for students who wish to graduate with a degree from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Therefore, students who are also applying for admission to another U-M College or School via Preferred Admission will not be considered for LSA scholarships.”
Be careful not to confuse need based financial aid with “scholarships”. For OOS students, merit scholarships are the exception, not the norm, especially in LSA. Any OOS applicant expecting a large merit scholarship is setting him/herself up for disappointment.
Large merit scholarships for in state or OOS students are rare. Only the small Regents scholarship for in state students is relatively common. No one should expect any large merit scholarship anyway until receiving the award notice.
Are you familiar with Victors for Michigan?
According to Crain’s Business 2018 Book of Lists, Victors for Michigan is the largest of its kind in the state.
“The university’s highest priority is to raise funds for student support so that every student accepted by the university can afford to attend, so that the university can attract students who can compete at the highest levels, and so that every student can have an outstanding student experience.”
@Positivetea That was the endowment fund raising campaign, not a merit scholarship. The outcome is providing need met financial aid to OOS students with less than $90k income and moderate asset starting this year. At the same time, they have announced free tuition to in state students with less than $65k family income. Basically, you can find out from the NPC already.
Yes, some endowment is ear marked for scholarships but the Victor’s campaign itself is not focus on merit scholarships. Scholarships can be a generic term that include need based aids too. Over the years, they have used to to provide need met aids to in state students and pledged to reduce student debt by replacing loan with grants. Some college financial advisor call it a 50% grant school. The main purpose is to make the school more affordable to students with lower family income. The need based aids have been up significantly, while the typical LSA and CoE scholarships of honors have little change in recent years.
Note that most of the small external scholarships are not renewable although every dollar helps. When you received additional scholarships that exceeded your loan and work study amount, you will not gain anything until the amount is large enough to replace all the grant also. To avoid losing some scholarship/grant, one may contact the external scholarship to see if they can defer the award to next year.