Many organizations have scholarship opportunities for students. High school guidance offices and local libraries are good sources of scholarship information. Students may also wish to check with local organizations, businesses, churches and parents' employers to see if scholarships are available. It is best to avoid any scholarship service that requires a fee.

Whether you're on your NMU laptop or your personal smartphone, there are many useful resources available for your private scholarship search online. The following is a list of scholarship search engines and apps to help you effectively search for scholarships with organizations unaffiliated with NMU. Before you begin your search, check out the Tips and Tricks for yielding the best results for you, all while avoiding scams.

Buyer Beware: Tips for Avoiding Scams
While researching scholarship opportunities, it is always advisable to differentiate between authentic scholarship services and phishing scams or personal data hoaxes. Here are a few ways to be aware and informed while maximizing your chances of winning a scholarship:

  • NEVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! As is true with the FAFSA applications, applying for legitimate scholarships is free.
  • "FREE" VS "FEE": Some search engines sell your email address for commercial purposes. To avoid an influx of spam, consider setting up a dedicated email address when searching for private scholarships (but be sure to check your account frequently!).
  • WHAT TO AVOID: The services that offer you "guarantee aid" usually only awards you much lower than the fee you pay for the service.
  • KEEP PERSONAL DATA PERSONAL: Never give out financial information (bank or credit card account numbers) unless you know the organization you're giving it to is reputable.

Resources:

Several free scholarship searches can be found online. It is best to avoid any scholarship service that requires a fee.

Federal Student Aid
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships


College Board's Scholarship Search
www.collegeboard.com/paying


Scholarships360
https://scholarships360.org/


Student Scholarships Search
www.studentscholarships.org


Michigan Student Scholarships Search
https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-fams/mi-scholarship-search


United Negro College Fund Inc
https://uncf.org/scholarships
 

Student Award Search Aid
http://www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm
 

Michigan Retailers Foundation

https://www.retailers.com/member-benefits/scholarship-program/

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) currently pays a benefit equal to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) that makes education benefits available to the surviving spouses and children of service members who die in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.  Beneficiaries attending school may receive up to their full tuition and fees for a public school plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program.  Currently the benefit is available to the children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.  Effective January 1, 2015 this benefit is extended to surviving spouses of military personnel who died in the line of duty after September 20, 2001.

Eligibility Requirements:

Children:

  • Eligibility begins on their 18th birthday or the date they begin attending an authorized program
  • They may use the benefit until their 33rd birthday

Surviving Spouses:

  • A spouse has 15 years from the date of the Service Member’s death to utilize benefit
  • Benefit will terminate upon remarriage

Award:

  • Entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level
  • 15 years to use the benefit
  • Not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program

Additional information can be obtained here.

Application:  Go to the VA webiste, http://www.gibill.va.gov/ and click on "Apply for Benefits".  Paper versions of the form (VA Form 22-5490) may also be printed.  The completed form should be mailed to your nearest Regional Processing Office, or you can request a paper application by calling 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551). 

The Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV) provides up to $5,000 (effective 2016) per year to students that are pursuing post-secondary education and meet the following requirements.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Were in foster care after your 14th birthday
  • Were adopted from foster care on or after your 16th birthday (if adopted prior to 16th birthday, you are NOT eligible)
  • Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Must be attending an accredited school
  • Must receive your first Education Training Voucher (ETV) prior to your 21st birthday
  • If you meet the above criteria, you can receive the Education Training Voucher (ETV) once each fiscal year until your 23rd birthday provided you receive at least a 2.0 G.P.A. and do not have more than one incomplete or withdrawal per semester.

Award:  Up to $5,000 per school year (effective 2016 fiscal year).  This can cover the following school-related expenses:

  • Tuition and fees and room and board
  • Books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses
  • Student loans
  • Dependent care

Additional information and application can be obtained at:

The Fostering Futures Scholarship, a State of Michigan* program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds. Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need in one or more of the following categories:

  • Tuition/fees
  • Room/Board
  • Books/Supplies

More information can be found at: www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/0,4636,7-372-89024-481213--,00.html

Eligibility:

 

Students must have been in Michigan foster care on or after their 13th birthday.  There is no upper age limit and the student can receive funding at any age.

Available Assistance:

Funding can be used only for the following:  Tuition, fees, room/board, books, and supplies/equipment required for enrollment.

This funding can be used along with the Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV).

How to Apply:

If you would like to be considered for the 2022/2023 Academic Year, please apply here by the August 1, 2022 deadline. 

 

Additional information and the Fostering Futures Scholarship Application can be found here.

Enrollment Requirements:

Students must be attending a Michigan public or private 4-year college/university or a community college.

This funding can be used along with the Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV).

This grant provides money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • You are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements
  • Your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11
  • You were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

Award:

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year. For the 2014–15 award year (July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015), the maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $5,730.

Due to sequestration, award amounts for any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2013, and before Oct. 1, 2014, must be reduced by 7.2 percent from the award amount for which a recipient would otherwise have been entitled. Any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2014, and before Oct. 1, 2015, must be reduced by 7.3 percent. For example:

  • For any 2014–15 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2013, and before Oct. 1, 2014, the maximum award of $5,730 is reduced by 7.2 percent ($412.56), resulting in a maximum award of $5,317.44.

For any 2014–15 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2014, and before Oct. 1, 2015, the maximum award amount of $5,730 is reduced by 7.3 percent ($418.29), resulting in a maximum award of $5,311.71.

The payment procedures are the same as those for the Federal Pell Grant. Learn how (and when) you’ll be paid.

Information can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/iraq-afghanistan-service 

The non-profit Kids’ Chance of Michigan, a newly established chapter of the national non-profit Kids’ Chance, recently produced a new scholarship for children that have a parent that has been injured or died from a work related accident.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Parent must have sustained a catastrophic injury or fatality in a Michigan work related accident covered by workers' compensation
  • Parent's injury or death must be compensable under Michigan Workers' Compensation Law
  • The applicant must meet standards set by the Executive Committee of KIDS' CHANCE OF MICHIGAN, LLC
  • Michigan resident between the ages of 17-22
  • Demonstrate financial need related to the parent's injury/death

Award:  $2,500 to $5,000

Application Deadline:  Fall Semester - May 17; Spring Semester - September 30

Additional information and application can be obtained at:  http://kidschanceofmi.org/scholarship

Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) is an educational scholarship opportunity for child care providers.

Scholarships available are Building Foundations; CDA Assessment; Associate Degree; and Bachelor Degree.  Scholarships include the majority of tuition, fees, and books; travel stipend; release time; and cash incentives.

You may be eligible if you are:

  • An employee working a minimum of 20 hours per week in a licensed center or group home earning $14.25 or less per hour

  • A registered family home provider, licensed group home owner or center owner/director earning $15.00 or less per hour, and working 30 hours or more per week

For additional information and application contact 1-866-MI TEACH or https://www.miaeyc.org/professional-development/t-e-a-c-h-scholarships/

FinAid
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Undocumented Students

Golden Door Scholars
Scholarships for Undocumented Students

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

QuestBridge
National College Match

College Greenlight
26 Scholarships for Undocumented Americans

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEFF)
Scholarship Resource Guide 2014-2015

United Negro College Fund Inc
https://uncf.org/scholarships