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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.

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. More than 250 students each year are awarded SMC scholarships.

The Academic Achievement Awards Program

Southwestern Michigan College offers two types of scholarships to students in the most recent high school graduating class based on their academic achievement. A printable application is linked under Related Links on this page.

Awards of Distinction

  • Covers all tuition and fees and includes a $1,000 annual book stipend for four consecutive semesters (does not include spring semester).
  • Must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 - may be calculated at end of junior year.
  • Requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits during fall/winter semesters).
  • Available to current year high school graduates.
  • Renewable for students who complete 26 credits their first year with a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
  • Scholarship application required; must be submitted by December 15 for priority consideration or by March 15 for late consideration. Recipients must enroll by June 30 for a minimum of 12 credits.
  • Scholarships will be offered to the 15 most qualified applicants.
  • Other qualified applicants will automatically be offered Awards of Excellence scholarships and will be alternates for the Awards of Distinction scholarship in the event one or more of these scholarships become available.

Awards of Excellence

  • Covers one-half tuition for four consecutive semesters (does not include spring semester).
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 to be eligible - may be calculated at end of junior year.
  • Available to current year high school graduates.
  • Requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits during fall/winter semesters).
  • Renewable for students who complete 26 credits their first year with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  • Scholarship application required; must be submitted by December 15 for priority consideration or by March 15 for late consideration. Recipients must enroll by June 30 for a minimum of 12 credits.

Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship Application

The Fine and Performing Arts Program at Southwestern Michigan College provides scholarships for students in the most recent high school graduating class, based on students’ performance in the area(s) of band, choir, dance, fine arts, and theatre. Students do not have to major in these areas to qualify.

  • Talent Scholarships cover one-half tuition scholarships for four consecutive semesters (does not include spring semester).
  • Performance scholarships cover individual ensemble or specific technique classes.
  • Requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits during fall/winter semesters).
  • Awards are made on an annual basis, with second year scholarships awarded on a competitive basis to students who demonstrate excellence according to specific criteria during their first year in the program.

Interested students may submit the Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship Application online early each year. Awards are determined by April 15 and recipients must enroll by June 15 for a minimum of 12 credits.

Intramural Leadership Scholarship Application

The Intramural Leadership Scholarship provides scholarships for students in the most recent high school graduating class, based on students’ demonstrated leadership ability, athletic participation and academic achievement.

  • Covers one-half of the tuition for four consecutive years (does not include spring semester).
  • Requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits during fall/winter semesters).
  • To be considered for this award, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, demonstrated leadership ability, and have participated in basketball, football, or soccer on any level at any time during high school.

Interested students may download the Intramural Sports Scholarship Application in PDF format. The priority deadline is December 15, but applications will be accepted until March 14. Awards are determined April 15 and recipients must enroll by June 30 for a minimum of 12 credits.

Bookstore Scholarship

The Southwestern Michigan College Bookstore Scholarship is open to each SMC student in all fields of study who is not eligible for any other financial aid grants or scholarships, provided the student has applied for financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and has a completed financial aid file at SMC.

The scholarship will cover the cost of all required/optional textbooks for the awarded semester. One scholarship will be awarded for each fall and winter semester.

All eligible students are required to turn in a typed two-page essay stating the reasons they should receive the SMC Bookstore Scholarship. The essay must be submitted to the SMC Financial Aid Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the winter semester. The winning student will be notified by mail.

International Student Math/Science Scholarship

The International Student Math-Science Scholarship at Southwestern Michigan College provides in-district tuition rates for international students majoring in math or science. Click here for additional information and to access the online scholarship application form.

Spotlight Scholarships

By providing enrichment activities, several programs housed at Southwestern Michigan College promote and support students in attaining their educational goals. To introduce these 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. Administrators from the Educational Talent Search program recommend students.