High-achieving student scholarships

Alumni Distinguished Scholarship

Awarded to the top 15 candidates based on intellectual performance and participation in the MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition. Invitations to compete in the examination are sent to the most outstanding students who apply for admission by November 1. Renewable over eight semesters,* these scholarships include tuition, fees, room and board (double occupancy in an MSU residence hall and silver meal plan), and $1,000 annually. Four of the 15 awards have special designations:

• Baldwin Foundation Alumni Distinguished Scholarship
• James E. Nordberg Distinguished Scholarship
• Hanna M. Rasmussen Memorial Scholarship
• Guy G. Speeker Alumni Distinguished Scholarship

Distinguished Freshman Scholarship

Awarded to 20 runners-up in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition; includes tuition and fees for eight semesters.*

Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Commended Finalist

Awarded to 30 finalists in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition; $2,500 per year for eight semesters.*

Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Commended Semifinalist

Awarded to 65 semifinalists in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition; $1,500 per year for eight semesters.*

MSU National Merit Scholarship

Awarded to National Merit finalists who name MSU as their first-choice institution; $750 to $2,000 annually, depending on financial need; those receiving $2,000 nonrenewable awards are guaranteed supplemental awards from $250 to $1,500 annually, renewable for eight semesters.*

Merit Recognition Scholarship

Awarded to a limited number of non-Michigan residents who are National Merit finalists and name MSU as their first-choice institution; includes $4,000 annually plus room and board (double occupancy in an MSU residence hall and silver meal plan; students with sophomore academic standing or higher who have lived for a minimum of one year in an MSU residence hall are eligible to live in an on-campus apartment and receive the residence hall double occupancy award plus the silver meal plan, based on space and class standing; off-campus housing is not included in this award), renewable for eight semesters.*

MSU Special Merit Scholarship

Awarded to a limited number of Michigan residents who are National Merit Finalists and name MSU as their first-choice institution; $2,000 annually, renewable for eight consecutive fall or spring semesters of undergraduate enrollment.

Honors College National Scholarship

Awarded to out-of-state Honors College invitees who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents or are citizens of Canada or Mexico; $15,000 annually for eight semesters.* Review the Honors College admission criteria. 

Honors College Tuition Grant

Awarded to out-of-state Honors College invitees who have who have an ACT composite score of at least 33, an SAT total score of at least 1500 (critical reading + math sections only), or semifinalist standing in a National Merit program. Grant equalizes tuition and fees to the rate charged to Michigan residents, renewable for eight semesters.* International students are eligible to receive this award.

Honors College STATE Scholarship

Michigan resident students eligible for the Honors College who have an ACT composite score of at least 33, an SAT total score of at least 1500 (critical reading + math sections only), or semifinalist standing in a National Merit program receive an annual $5,000 STATE Scholarship. The Scholarship may be renewed for up to eight semesters, provided the student remains a member of the Honors College.*

Professorial Assistantship

Awarded to Honors College invitees with exceptional academic records; $3,000 stipend for faculty-mentored research or scholarly activity, renewable for four semesters.* For more information about the Professorial Assistantship program, including eligibility criteria, visit MSU’s Honors College. International students are eligible to receive this award.

A. Gordon Adams, Jr. Alumni Distinguished Scholar Award

Awarded to a participant in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition.

Academic Merit Scholarship-Catherine Hooper Fredin Award

Awarded to a National Merit Scholar interested in majoring in science and technological fields.

Albert E. and Audrey Vincent Gilpin Scholarship Award for Outstanding Students

Awarded to four National Merit finalists who participate in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition.

Lewis W. Kaminga Alumni Scholar Award

Awarded to a limited number of Honors College invitees with outstanding academic records and superior performance on standardized tests.

*Fall and spring semesters during undergraduate enrollment