Best Higher Education Grants in Michigan

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dick and Betty Cawein, who established the Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. In nearly 48 years of marriage, Dick and Betty Cawein had 28 different addresses but they found their way back to the place they really loved, their hometown of Muskegon. After a career in the Navy, Dick was a shop teacher at Mona Shores. Betty was involved with St. Jean?s Church and the Muskegon Garden Club, but they both felt very strongly about education. Dick passed away in 1993 and Betty in 2015, but their love for Muskegon and their passion for education lives on in the Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship Fund, created with a bequest from Betty?s trust. It will help support students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree who are doing two years at MCC and then going on to one of Michigan's public colleges/universities or Notre Dame or Duke.

Bob and Brenda Soeters Family Scholarship

Graduating senior or graduating early college student who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation.

The Murdie Educational Scholarship, offered by the Four County Community Foundation, supports high school seniors and recent graduates from Dryden, Almont, and Imlay City pursuing degrees in human or animal health. Eligible students can receive awards between $1,000 and $4,000, with financial need considered. Awardees will be recognized at the Foundation Scholarship Celebration and local high school events in May, promoting educational advancement in the community.

The Susan Shattuck Scholarship for Future Nurses, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports high school seniors in the Tri-Cities area pursuing a nursing degree. This scholarship honors Susan Shattuck, a dedicated nurse who championed care for the underserved. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and a passion for nursing. Special consideration is given to students studying Political Science at Grand Valley State University or Aeronautical Engineering at Western Michigan University. A transcript and additional documents are required.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to full time, third year or higher undergraduate or graduate students who are 3+ year residents of Kent County, attending University of Michigan to study pre-medicine or medical doctor, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The Detter Family Foundation Leaders in Mathematics and Science Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from Allendale Public Schools pursuing post-secondary education in math or science. Emphasizing financial need, this scholarship also considers leadership qualities and extracurricular involvement. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate a commitment to their educational and career goals, ensuring a competitive selection process.

Saginaw Community Foundation – Collaborative Scholarship

The Saginaw Community Foundation (SCF) established the SCF Collaborative Scholarships in 2006 as a collaboration of tributes to individuals and organizations. This 2007 scholarship is made possible, in-part by the generosity of our donors and in memory/tribute of the following: Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Austin, Sr., Dorothy and Robert Blue, Shamonica Brown, Zoetta Davis, C.K. Eddy Memorial Fund, Joseph M. Godard, Kanika Goodman, Michael Jeffers Memorial Fund, Parker Thomas Miller, Burris and Kathie Smith, and Carman “Cart” Washburn.

The Carol Doman-Wilder Scholarship, established in 1996 by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports students pursuing careers in social work or special education. With a minimum GPA of 2.5, applicants must be Saginaw County residents enrolled at a Michigan college or university. This scholarship, which ranges from $500 to $4,000, reflects Carol Doman-Wilder's dedication to education and her desire to help others achieve their academic goals, fostering a passion for lifelong learning.

The Thomas Burkhart Scholarships, administered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, honor the legacy of Tom Burkhart, a dedicated attorney and community member. These scholarships support Saginaw County residents pursuing degrees in law or music, emphasizing academic excellence with a minimum GPA of 3.0. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, the program aims to empower students in their career aspirations, particularly in fields that contribute to the community's growth and cultural enrichment.

The John Charles Volderauer Scholarship, provided by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, aims to support students at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. This one-time, non-renewable award helps facilitate access to medical education, reflecting KZCF's commitment to racial and economic justice in Kalamazoo County. Since 1925, KZCF has worked to create equitable educational opportunities, ensuring that aspiring medical professionals receive the necessary support to succeed in their careers.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to graduate students who are 2+ year residents of Kent County attending college in the state of Michigan and with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Paul and Deanna Virciglio Scholarship

Paul Virciglio, along with his wife, Deanna, has established the Paul & Deanna Virciglio Education Fund, which will be used to award scholarships to students pursuing graduate studies in math or science.

“I noted the dramatic structural changes taking place in the business world as we prepared for the new information society. There’s a demand for higher-skilled employees, which places an emphasis on education, especially in math and science,” said Paul Virciglio.

Saginaw County Association of Retired School Personnel Scholarship

The Saginaw County Association of Retired School Personnel is made up of approximately 1,000 retired Saginaw County school workers, including teachers, administrators, librarians, custodians, cafeteria workers and secretaries.

The Saginaw County Association of Retired School Personnel established the Saginaw County Association of Retired School Personnel Scholarship in 1995 to assist a graduate of any Saginaw County public high school who plans to pursue a career in education at an accredited college or university in Michigan.

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Gerstbrein/McCanna Scholarship for the Arts

After a long and rewarding career in Landscape Design and Art Education, Lisa Gerstbrein/McCanna wanted to promote the Arts and Industrial Arts in the community where she made her home and her livelihood. Her career brought her tremendous joy in pursuits that she loved as well as the satisfying reward of helping students find inspiration in the worlds of Art and Industrial Art. She is a true believer in the concept of STEAM based education. Accordingly, she established a fund to provide scholarships for the advanced education of advancing Senior High School Students in these areas who are residents of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and are pursuing higher education in an approved program within 300 miles of their respective school - Armstrong High School, West Shamokin High School or Lenape Technical School. 

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

Sherrill L. Smith Music Scholarship

Music majors attending any Michigan college or university.

The Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andre Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports high school seniors of Mexican heritage from Kent or Ottawa counties. With a minimum GPA of 2.75, recipients can pursue higher education in Michigan. The scholarship aims to eliminate barriers to success, providing financial assistance for tuition, books, and living expenses, thereby fostering academic ambition and community growth in West Michigan.

The Carrie B. Hines Endowment Scholarship, established in memory of Carrie B. Hines by her daughter, aims to support minority students in Saginaw County pursuing higher education. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, volunteer for two years with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and complete community service hours. The scholarship promotes the importance of education and community involvement, reflecting Carrie’s legacy of service and dedication to uplifting others in her community.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship

The Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship was established to assist Saginaw County student-athletes who are continuing their academic and athletic career at Saginaw Valley State University.

The purpose of the corporation is to foster amateur sports competition by recognizing present and former area athletes, coaches and others who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics, either individually or by virtue of their performance on, or in connection with athletic teams representing their high school, community college, four-year college, university or professional team or sport; or by meritorious effort on behalf of athletics. The corporation will annually nominate, elect, honor and award truly outstanding Saginaw County male and female athletes, both past and present.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Melbourne & Alice E. Frontjes Scholarship

Open to students who are residents of Kent County for 3+ years, attending CMU, WMU, GRCC, MSU or U-M and with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

GYO Grant

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is continuing the Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) initiative with a grant opportunity for districts to develop Grow Your Own (GYO) partnerships to support non-certificated K-12 school personnel in earning teacher certification. This grant is an extension of Michigan’s efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages through the Future PME initiative.

The GYO Staff grants support partnerships between PK-12 schools and educator preparation providers to develop pathways for school support staff to earn initial teacher certification or for certified teachers to earn additional endorsements.

GYO programs funded via the state budget are an extension of Michigan's efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages.

In high quality GYO programs, both partners commit to wrap-around support of candidates through shared mentorship, coaching, observation, and assessment of emerging teachers from the beginning of teacher preparation coursework through the first years of their service as certified teachers. Define, Identify, and Fund Nontraditional Pathways into the Teaching Profession: A resource for Michigan Districts provides key considerations for developing a GYO program and descriptions of exemplary programs. Grow Your Own Educators: A Toolkit for Program Design and Development also provides a collection of user-friendly resources on essential elements of high quality GYO programs.

Scholarships

Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships to area students totaling more than $13.7 million, thanks to our generous donors. Each year, over 500 college-bound or career and technical education students benefit from our scholarship awards.

Our single application process makes it easy to potentially qualify for one or more of our 260+ scholarships.

Saginaw County Lawyers’ Auxiliary Scholarship

The Saginaw County Lawyers’ Auxiliary was founded in 1955. Its purpose is to promote the interests of the Saginaw County Bar Association and to encourage law-related activities that contribute to community progress and improvements.

The Saginaw County Lawyers’ Auxiliary Scholarship has been established to benefit a Saginaw County resident pursuing an education in the field of law.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants Scholarship Fund

The Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants created this scholarship fund to award to a qualified individual majoring in an agricultural field.

Robert E. Stark and Martin H. Stark Scholarship

The Robert E. and Martin H. Stark Scholarship was established in 2003 to further educational opportunity and the general well-being of the Saginaw area.

Evaluation Criteria

• Financial need (35)
• Essay (25)
• Overall involvement in community, school and work activities (20)
• Demonstrated leadership ability (10)
• Scholastic record (10)
• Consideration may be given to minority students.

The Team One Credit Union – Mary J. Ewing Scholarship, established in 1993, honors the dedication of Mary Ewing to the credit union community. This scholarship supports students aiming for careers in technical fields, encouraging those with a minimum 3.0 GPA, residing in Saginaw County, and pursuing undergraduate degrees at Michigan colleges. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it aims to assist students in overcoming financial barriers to education and thriving in skilled trades.

The Team One Credit Union – Theron & Marion Fager Scholarship honors the legacy of dedicated educators Theron and Marion Fager, who committed their lives to community service and education in Saginaw. Established by the Saginaw Community Foundation, this scholarship supports high school seniors pursuing technical education at Michigan State University. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be active members of Team One Credit Union. Financial awards range from $500 to $4,000, fostering the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation aims to enhance the educational, economic, cultural, and religious lives of Michigan residents. Grants are made exclusively to 501(c)(3) or governmental organizations in Michigan. The foundation seeks proposals with clearly defined objectives and strong management, prioritizing innovative programs that can achieve long-term sustainability. Collaborations that foster synergy towards common goals are encouraged, while support is not extended to discriminatory or political organizations.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.