Michigan Competitive Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Government of Michigan
Overview
The Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) is a need- and merit-based award for undergraduate students working toward their first postsecondary degree. Applicants from the Class of 2017 onward must complete the SAT before beginning college and earn a minimum score of 1200 to qualify. Note: the scholarship is not available to students who graduated high school or its recognized equivalent in 2023 or later. The program will end permanently on September 30, 2029.
Who is eligible
To be considered for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, an applicant must meet all of the following:
- File the current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.
- For students from the Class of 2017 onward: take the SAT prior to college enrollment and achieve a minimum score of 1200.
- SAT scores must be made available to MiLEAP by June 30 of the academic year in which the student completes high school or its recognized equivalent.
- For students from classes prior to 2017: obtain a qualifying ACT score of at least 23 (composite) or 90 (scaled) before entering college.
- Hold a high school diploma or an accepted equivalent.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Enroll at least half-time at an institution that participates in the MCS program.
- Be a Michigan resident as of July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- If the student is dependent, the person(s) listed as contributors on the FAFSA must also be Michigan residents.
- Residency will be verified using FAFSA information.
- Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or an approved refugee.
- Not be incarcerated.
- Not be in default on any Federal student loan.
- Be pursuing a first undergraduate degree.
How to apply and award handling
- Submit the current-year FAFSA by July 1 to be considered.
- Awards are determined based on the first Michigan college listed on the FAFSA. If you change your college choice after filing, you must notify MI Student Aid so your award can be adjusted.
- To report a change in college, use the MiSSG Student Portal or call MI Student Aid at 888-447-2687.