Scholarships & Grants

Financial aid breaks down into two main categories: aid that does not need to be repaid (gift aid), aid that must be repaid (loans), and work programs. While many students use loans to round out their financial aid package, investing some time researching gift aid options could help lighten your debt load.

The Scholarship Search Process

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) determines your eligibility for many federal, state, institutional and private scholarships and grants. So even if you think your income is too high, it's always best to apply.

Consider your interests, hobbies, jobs, and affiliations (and those of your parents), and begin your search in your own hometown.
Check with your high school, clubs, service organizations or wherever you have demonstrated special talents and hard work.
Find out if your parents' employers offer any educational benefits.
Find out if there is a Promise program in your area.
Look for Community Foundations in your town/county/state. They administer scholarships for students who reside in those communities and sometimes for students who attend college in those communities.

You may be offered a scholarship through the Office of Admissions simply by applying to MSU. Current and prospective MSU students may also check:

MSU Scholarship Database: A comprehensive listing of scholarships offered by MSU. Many of these scholarships do not have applications and are awarded automatically by departments across campus.
Scholarships for Special Populations: Links related to study abroad, athletics, students with children, etc. Students in these situations may have unique scholarships available to them.

MSU programs and activities, including scholarships, are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. Eligibility is not restricted based on protected identity. No preference based on a protected identity will be given in the selection of recipients.

Expand your search by using online scholarship search services. You will need to submit your application materials directly to the awarding organization and meet all their requirements and deadlines.

Watch out for scams!
MSU does not endorse any scholarship service that charges a fee. Be wary of companies that guarantee results. No company can guarantee that you will get a scholarship.

Education - MSU College of Education

Labor Union Scholarships

ROTC Scholarships

Scholarship disbursement policy

If you bring one or more private scholarships with you to MSU, you should be aware of our scholarship policy:

If the donor specifies what semester(s) the award is for, MSU will follow their wishes.
If the student wants the award distributed in a way that differs from what the donor requests, the student will be asked to get an authorization letter from the donor.
If the donor letter does not specify a distribution schedule, MSU will pay awards of $300 or less all in the fall semester. Awards larger than $300 will be split with half in the fall and half in the spring.
If the award has been split and the donor has not given us instructions, the student may request the entire award be moved to the fall semester and we will honor that request. However, the student is then cautioned that he or she may be short of funds for the spring semester.

Scholarships & Grants

The Scholarship Search Process

Consider your interests, hobbies, jobs, and affiliations (and those of your parents), and begin your search in your own hometown.
Check with your high school, clubs, service organizations or wherever you have demonstrated special talents and hard work.
Find out if your parents' employers offer any educational benefits.
Find out if there is a Promise program in your area.
Look for Community Foundations in your town/county/state. They administer scholarships for students who reside in those communities and sometimes for students who attend college in those communities.

You may be offered a scholarship through the Office of Admissions simply by applying to MSU. Current and prospective MSU students may also check:

MSU Scholarship Database: A comprehensive listing of scholarships offered by MSU. Many of these scholarships do not have applications and are awarded automatically by departments across campus.
Scholarships for Special Populations: Links related to study abroad, athletics, students with children, etc. Students in these situations may have unique scholarships available to them.

Expand your search by using online scholarship search services. You will need to submit your application materials directly to the awarding organization and meet all their requirements and deadlines.

Watch out for scams!
MSU does not endorse any scholarship service that charges a fee. Be wary of companies that guarantee results. No company can guarantee that you will get a scholarship.

Education - MSU College of Education

Labor Union Scholarships

ROTC Scholarships

Scholarship disbursement policy

If you bring one or more private scholarships with you to MSU, you should be aware of our scholarship policy:

If the donor specifies what semester(s) the award is for, MSU will follow their wishes.
If the student wants the award distributed in a way that differs from what the donor requests, the student will be asked to get an authorization letter from the donor.
If the donor letter does not specify a distribution schedule, MSU will pay awards of $300 or less all in the fall semester. Awards larger than $300 will be split with half in the fall and half in the spring.
If the award has been split and the donor has not given us instructions, the student may request the entire award be moved to the fall semester and we will honor that request. However, the student is then cautioned that he or she may be short of funds for the spring semester.

Scholarships & Grants

The Scholarship Search Process

Hundreds of MSU Scholarships, All In One Place

Scholarship disbursement policy

Scholarships & Grants

The Scholarship Search Process

Hundreds of MSU Scholarships, All In One Place

Scholarship disbursement policy