Michigan Scholarships

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Southwestern Michigan College has been approved for participation in the Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program. Residents of Michigan are permitted, while in high school, to take the ACT competitive examination in an effort to earn a state scholarship. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March and have the results sent to SMC and the Michigan Scholarship Program. For more information on the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, please follow the Related link provided on this page.

Michigan Merit Scholarship

The Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship program that first became available to the high school graduating class of 2000. Eligibility for the scholarship depends on:

• The student receiving a qualifying score on the four Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests in mathematics, reading, science and writing or
• the student scoring at or above the 75th percentile on either the ACT or the SAT exams or
• the student achieving a qualifying score on the ACT Work Keys exam.

You must meet all other eligibility requirements as established by the Michigan Merit Board. For more information on the Michigan Merit Scholarship, follow the Related Link to Michigan Merit Award.

Michigan No Worker Left Behind Scholarship

Michigan is taking the next step to help thousands of displaced workers who need new skills and training to transition to a new career. Governor Granholm's new No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) plan will help more than 100,000 displaced workers by provided money for tuition, books, materials and fees for two years at any Michigan community college.

Michigan Nursing Scholarship

For the 2007-2008 school year Southwestern Michigan College has been allocated $24,000 from the state of Michigan to award as part of the Michigan Nursing Scholarship Program. To qualify students must be formally admitted into the SMC Nursing Program, as well as meet other requirements.

SMC Scholarships

Southwestern Michigan College offers a variety of scholarships for graduating high school students who show talent in academics, fine and performing arts, and sports leadership.

The following scholarships are also available for current SMC students based on criteria such as major, class standing, graduating high school, and city or county of residence.

Awards of Distinction Scholarships

These scholarships are SMC’s highest merit-based scholarships. Awards of Distinction cover ALL tuition and fees as well as an annual stipend for books, for four consecutive semesters (not including the spring semester), for students in the most recent high school graduating class.

Awards of Excellence Scholarships

Awards of Excellence, covering one-half of your tuition for four consecutive semesters (not including spring semester), provides another outstanding opportunity for students in the most recent high school graduating class.

Bookstore Scholarship

This scholarship is open to SMC students in all fields of study who are not eligible for any other financial aid grants or scholarships.

Talent Awards Scholarships

These scholarships support students from the most recent high school graduating class who participate in music, dance, theatre, art and intramural athletics. These scholarships require full-time enrollment. The Talent Awards include the Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship and the Intramural Leadership Scholarship.

Spotlight Scholarships

To introduce students in grades 10-12 to the collegiate environment, SMC will cover the tuition, technology fees and certain special fees for one on-campus class per year.

Restricted Endowment Scholarships

Generous donors provide thousands of dollars to Southwestern Michigan College for endowments and scholarships.

Community and Private

Township Scholarships

• $500 scholarships awarded at the discretion of the township board in each of the 18 townships within the Southwestern Michigan College service area.
• Available to students in Cass County, and Hamilton and Keeler townships in Van Buren County.
• Interested students should contact their township supervisors.

Lifelong Learning Scholarships

• Awarded upon recommendation of Adult Education administrators.
• Due by April 15 or an appropriate date as designated by the Director of Financial Aid.
• One allocated to each adult education program within our service area.
• Covers all tuition and fees plus $100 per semester for books.
• Renewable for up to four years or until the student graduates, whichever comes first, for students who complete a minimum of 12 credits annually and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0.

Private Scholarships

From time to time, Southwestern Michigan College’s Financial Aid office is notified of scholarship opportunities offered by businesses, organizations and individuals. Watch this area of our web site for updates.