14 Michigan scholarships for students of color

Attending college can be expensive, but these Michigan scholarships for students of color make getting an education more affordable. 

After the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to ban affirmative action, many colleges throughout the U.S. eliminated race-based scholarships, making college unattainable for some students of color who were counting on financial assistance to get an education and graduate without tremendous debt. However, there are still several Michigan scholarships earmarked for students of color interested in attending one of the state’s many colleges and universities. 

Keep reading to learn about 14 Michigan scholarships that benefit students of color. 

1. Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver

The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver program waives tuition costs for eligible Native Americans at public community colleges or universities in Michigan. To qualify, you must be one-quarter Native American blood quantum, enrolled in a U.S. Federally Recognized Tribe, and a resident of Michigan. Other costs associated with attending college, such as housing, meals, and textbooks, are not covered. 

2. Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Scholarship

The Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Scholarship, administered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a student of color pursuing a law degree at an accredited law school in the U.S. who either has a permanent residence in Michigan or attends a law school in the state. To be eligible, you must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA. This scholarship is an annual award and isn’t renewable.  

3. Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge

The Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, established by Wayne State University in 2019, provides free tuition for graduates of a Detroit high school to attend the university. This program covers the full cost of tuition and standard fees and is renewable for up to four years (with the option to renew for a fifth year if you’re on track to graduate). 

4. George G. Johnson Scholarship Fund

The George G. Johnson Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to African American male undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing an accounting or finance degree at Wayne State University. To be eligible, you must reside in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County and be enrolled full-time at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. 

The scholarship is renewable for up to four years provided you maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. 

5. Asian Pacific American Student Leadership Endowment Fund

The Asian Pacific American Student Leadership Endowment Fund aims to further the development of leadership of Asian Pacific Islander Desi-American students at Michigan State University. The award benefits students who have demonstrated leadership potential within the university’s Asian Pacific Islander Desi-American community. The amount of the award varies. 

6. EMU Core Scholarship 

Eastern Michigan University’s Center of Race & Ethnicity (CORE) offers financial support to students of color for housing and tuition. The amount of the EMU Core Scholarship is based on each student’s needs and availability of funds. To qualify, you must be an active Eastern Michigan University student with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher, demonstrate high financial need, and exhaust all other financial aid options before applying. 

7. DACA/Undocumented Scholarship

Western Michigan University’s DACA/Undocumented Scholarship provides support to students who aren’t able to receive federal aid due to their immigration status. The scholarship pays up to $200 for educational needs like tuition, books, and professional development. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate student at Western Michigan University with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need. 

8. Dulcet Scholarship

The Dulcet Scholarship also provides financial assistance to Western Michigan University students for tuition, books, and professional development. To be eligible, you must be African American, a resident of Kalamazoo for at least six months, and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. The maximum value of this scholarship is $200. However, the exact amount depends on the funds available at the time of your application.

9. Doctors Paul Brown & Bassett Brown and the V. Delores Brown Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to minority students pursuing a career in the ​​pre-medicine, pre-dental, or paramedical fields at Western Michigan University. No other eligibility requirements are shared on the university’s website. The amount of the award varies and is determined by the school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s scholarship committee based on the endowment’s available funds. 

10. Honorable Dennis Wayne Archer Endowed Scholarship

Preference for the Honorable Dennis Wayne Archer Endowed Scholarship is given to first-generation college students or individuals from historically underrepresented student populations who demonstrate financial need. To be eligible, you must be a full-time undergraduate student at Western Michigan University with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship amount is determined by the university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s scholarship committee and is based on the endowment’s available funds.

11. Multicultural Affairs for Students Scholarship

If you meet all the criteria for the Honorable Dennis Wayne Archer Endowed Scholarship except for the 3.0 GPA requirement, consider applying for the Multicultural Affairs for Students Scholarship instead. To be eligible for this scholarship, which has a maximum value of $200, you need to maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. 

12. J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Central Michigan University’s Association of Faculty and Staff of Color established the J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment to honor African American professor J.D. Smith. Two scholarships are awarded each year, with preference for students who are studying history or African-American history. The scholarships aren’t renewable. 

One scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman—residing in Saginaw, Midland, or Mount Pleasant—who is committed to the advancement of people of color. The second is awarded to an individual—of sophomore or greater standing—who is committed to the advancement of people of color and interested in research or scholarly pursuits.  

13. D.C. Drake Endowed Undergraduate Award

The D.C. Drake Endowed Undergraduate Award—established by Central Michigan University alumnus D.C. Drake—aims to support diversity and inclusion at the school. The scholarship is awarded to a full-time student from a historically underrepresented community who is committed to getting underrepresented communities more involved in educational pursuits. The scholarship can be renewed three times. 

14. Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship

The Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship, established by the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, benefits fourth-year medical students interested in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The scholarship includes a four-week rotation in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, a $500 travel stipend, and a $600 food stipend.

Bonus: National Scholarships for Students of Color

In addition to the scholarships listed above that are open only to Michigan residents or students attending a university in the Great Lakes State, there are plenty of scholarships available to students of color that aren’t location-dependent. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services put together an extensive list of more than 50 scholarship opportunities and resources. 

A few highlights include the Black & Positively Golden® Scholarship Program, the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students,  and the HBCU Packard Scholarship.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.