Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Government of Michigan

Here’s a clearer, teacher-friendly version you can use to explain the Michigan Competitive Scholarship.

Overview
- The Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) helps undergraduate students working toward their first college degree. Awards are based on both financial need and academic merit.
- Important deadlines and limits: the scholarship is not available to students who graduated high school (or the equivalent) in 2023 or later, and the program will permanently end on September 30, 2029.

Important test-score rule
- If you are Class of 2017 or later, you must have taken the SAT before starting college and earned at least a 1200.
- SAT scores must be made available to MiLEAP by June 30 of the academic year in which you complete high school (or its recognized equivalent).
- Students who finished high school before the Class of 2017 could qualify with an ACT score of at least 23 (composite) or 90 (scaled).

Eligibility checklist (what you must have/do)
- File a current-year FAFSA by July 1.
- A qualifying SAT (or, for older applicants, ACT) score achieved prior to entering college.
- A high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Enrollment at least half-time at a participating Michigan institution.
- Michigan residency since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If you are a dependent student, the person(s) listed as contributors on your FAFSA must also be Michigan residents. Residency will be confirmed from your FAFSA.
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee status.
- Not incarcerated and not in default on a federal student loan.

How to apply and manage your award
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1 of the award year.
- Awards are assigned based on the first Michigan college listed on your FAFSA. If you change your college choice, you must notify MI Student Aid. Update your school through the MiSSG Student Portal or call 888-447-2687.

Tips for students
- Plan your SAT timing so your scores can be sent to MiLEAP by the June 30 deadline of your high school completion year.
- Double-check residency and dependency information on your FAFSA well before July 1.
- Keep the program end date in mind—MCS will not be available after September 30, 2029.

If you want, I can turn this into a short checklist you could hand out or a slide for a classroom presentation.