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Top 43 Michigan Scholarships in May 2024

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michigan has our personal favorite state motto: “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice,” which means “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” As the state with the longest freshwater shore in the whole country, Michigan certainly earns its motto and is a great place to consider for college. Whether you are an in-state Michigan resident or live out-of-state and are hoping to attend a Michigan college like University of Michigan or Michigan State, there are Michigan scholarships available to you!

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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Michigan Competitive Scholarship

Offered by Michigan Department of Treasury - Student Financial Services Bureau

Attention Michigan residents - the Michigan Competitive Scholarship is up for grabs! This scholarship is perfect for current undergraduate students pursuing their first degree. Recipients… Show More

Attention Michigan residents - the Michigan Competitive Scholarship is up for grabs! This scholarship is perfect for current undergraduate students pursuing their first degree. Recipients will be chosen based on both financial need and merit. To be considered, you must have taken the SAT (Class of 2017 and beyond) prior to entering college and achieved a qualifying score of at least 1200. You must also provide your Social Security number to MI Student Aid by your senior year in high school, possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If you're a dependent student, your parent must have also been a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Editor’s Note: As of 2024, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship is no longer available. If this is incorrect, please reach out to us at [email protected]  and we will update this page accordingly. Show Less

Michigan Tuition Grant

Offered by MI Student Aid

Are you a Michigan resident attending a Michigan community college, public university, or degree-granting, non-profit independent college? If so, the Michigan Tuition Grant may be… Show More

Are you a Michigan resident attending a Michigan community college, public university, or degree-granting, non-profit independent college? If so, the Michigan Tuition Grant may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the Grant awards up to $1,500 each to Michigan residents who are attending in-state public or non-profit universities and who have received a minimum 1200 SAT score. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must simply complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by May 1st. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high… Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

State of Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

Offered by State of Michigan

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG) is open to undergraduate students who are Michigan residents and the children of Michigan veterans. To be eligible,… Show More

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG) is open to undergraduate students who are Michigan residents and the children of Michigan veterans. To be eligible, such veterans must have been left disabled or deceased during their service, or have gone missing in action (MIA). Half-time students can earn up to $1,400, three-quarter-time students can earn up to $2,100, and full-time students can earn up to $2,800. If you're a Michigan resident whose parent was left deceased, disabled, or missing in action (MIA) during their service, we're sorry for your loss, and encourage you to apply. Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

NMU Michigan Resident Wildcat Merit Scholarships

Offered by Northern Michigan University

NMU's Michigan Resident Wildcat Merit Scholarships are open to incoming college freshmen at Northern Michigan University (NMU) starting in the upcoming Fall, Winter, or Summer… Show More

NMU's Michigan Resident Wildcat Merit Scholarships are open to incoming college freshmen at Northern Michigan University (NMU) starting in the upcoming Fall, Winter, or Summer semesters. Applicants must be Michigan residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and will be automatically considered upon acceptance to NMU as long as they meet the GPA, enrollment term, and residency criteria requirements. Eligible students may earn between $1,500 and $4,000 a year (for four years) through the scholarship, with the amount depending on their GPA. Keep on reading to learn more! Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

NMU Bridge Award

NMU's Bridge Awards are open to incoming college freshmen at Northern Michigan University (NMU) starting in the upcoming Fall, Winter, or Summer semesters. Applicants must… Show More

NMU's Bridge Awards are open to incoming college freshmen at Northern Michigan University (NMU) starting in the upcoming Fall, Winter, or Summer semesters. Applicants must be out-of-state (non-Michigan) residents with a minimum 2.25 GPA, and will be automatically considered for the award upon acceptance to NMU as long as they meet the GPA, enrollment term, and residency criteria requirements. Eligible students may earn between $5,600 and $9,600 a year (for four years) through the scholarship to help "fill the out-of-state tuition gap", with the amount awarded depending on their GPA. Keep on reading to learn more! Show Less

Thelma Orr Memorial Scholarship

Offered by MyMichigan Health

The Thelma Orr Memorial Scholarship annually awards $1,500 to two (2) college students (excluding freshmen) majoring in human medicine-related fields at accredited Michigan colleges or… Show More

The Thelma Orr Memorial Scholarship annually awards $1,500 to two (2) college students (excluding freshmen) majoring in human medicine-related fields at accredited Michigan colleges or universities. Applicants must also reside in the following Michigan counties: Alpena, Alcona, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, or Presque Isle. To apply, students must submit two letters of recommendation and an official, current transcript. Don't miss out on this opportunity to further your education and career in the medical field. Keep on reading to learn more! Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Kreager Family Scholarship

Offered by Kalamazoo Community Foundation

The Kreager Family Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who are residents of or enrolled in a high school within Kalamazoo County, Michigan,… Show More

The Kreager Family Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who are residents of or enrolled in a high school within Kalamazoo County, Michigan, or who attend South Haven High School. Eligible applicants have experienced the loss of a parent through death or abandonment beyond infancy, and must be planning to pursue vocational or technical training or an associate's or bachelor's degree after high school graduation. Winning applicants may earn between $2,000 and $3,000 to go toward their post-secondary education. If you're a Kalamazoo high school senior who has experienced the loss of a parent, apply for the chance to earn help funding your postsecondary education, and keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Kalamazoo Community Foundation General Scholarship Application

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation General Scholarship Application is open to students who are residents of, or who graduated from a high school in, Kalamazoo County,… Show More

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation General Scholarship Application is open to students who are residents of, or who graduated from a high school in, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. By submitting the general application, students will be matched with a wide variety of scholarships that are specific to major, life circumstances, high school attended, and a variety of other factors. To learn more about their selection of scholarships, we recommend checking out the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Scholarship Search. While the award amount and eligibility criteria may vary by scholarship, the general scholarship application is typically open from January 1st to March 1st of every year. If you're from Kalamazoo County or graduated/will graduate from a high school within the county, we encourage you to apply! Anyone from high school seniors to current graduate students are eligible to apply - keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship

Offered by Michigan Retailers Association

The Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship is open to high school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, who are employees of MRA (Michigan… Show More

The Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship is open to high school seniors, as well as college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, who are employees of MRA (Michigan Retailers Association) or relatives of members of MRA. Part-time employees of MRA member businesses must have been employed there for at least six months before applying, and the MRA-employed relatives (parents) of applicants must have worked there for at least one year before application. If you're a post-secondary student who has either been employed by an MRA member business themselves or has a parent who was employed by an MRA member business, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

MAC Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Students in Archival Administration

Offered by Midwest Archives Conference

Are you a resident or full-time graduate student in the MAC region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South… Show More

Are you a resident or full-time graduate student in the MAC region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) who is pursuing a degree in archival administration? If so, the MAC Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Students in Archival Administration may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to one individual in the MAC region who is pursuing graduate studies in archival administration. Applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent academic year. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Dr. Lynne Boyle/John Schimpf College Scholarships

Offered by National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Michigan Chapter

The Dr. Lynne Boyle/John Schimpf College Scholarships are perfect for media majors (journalism, video production, broadcasting) who are currently enrolled in an accredited Michigan institution… Show More

The Dr. Lynne Boyle/John Schimpf College Scholarships are perfect for media majors (journalism, video production, broadcasting) who are currently enrolled in an accredited Michigan institution with 45+ credit hours accumulated. To apply, submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members, a one-page personal statement about your career and personal goals, and a maximum three-minute long compilation film or video showcasing your work as the principal writer, director, producer, editor, photographer, principal actor, or functioning in a similar major creative role. Don't forget to include proof of registration/acceptance to your accredited institution and the application form found on the scholarship site. Be sure to e-mail your application to submit and make sure the subject line states the name of the scholarship. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan Memorial Scholarship

Offered by American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan Memorial Scholarship is offered to a descendant of a veteran. Applicants must reside in Michigan at the time… Show More

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan Memorial Scholarship is offered to a descendant of a veteran. Applicants must reside in Michigan at the time of application for at least one year preceding the date of the award. Applicants must be going into, or in their senior year of high school, or freshman/sophomore year of college but not over 21 years of age. Lastly, applicants must pursue a course of study at any school, college, or other educational institution in the state of Michigan. If you fit these criteria, don't miss out on this chance to earn funding for your post-secondary education! Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

How to win Michigan scholarships

In order to win Michigan scholarships, you should search for scholarship opportunities that reflect your interests. You should then connect your interests back to the state of Michigan.  For example, you can apply for a marine biologist scholarship and discuss your passion for water animals because of your exposure to the various Great Lakes in Michigan. Combining your own interests and the unique qualities of Michigan can give you a leg up on the competition and help you to win Michigan scholarships. 

Writing resources for acing Michigan scholarship essays 

Many Michigan scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself in order to win Michigan scholarships. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships and our overview of common scholarship essay prompts to help ensure you are prepared to win Michigan scholarships! Everything you need is at your fingertips with Scholarships360 from guides on how to start a scholarship essay to how to write a 500 word essay . 

Michigan student debt snapshot

According to the Department of Education , in total, Michigan residents owe $51 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $36,116 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 52% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!

Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Michigan, as well as top scholarships in Michigan! 

Merit scholarships at Michigan colleges and universities

University of Michigan

• Eligibility: First year students based on academic achievement, personal talents, interests, leadership qualities, financial need or any combination of these
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Admission to University of Michigan

Michigan State University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen based on weighted GPA and ACT/SAT scores if submitted
• Deadline: November 1

Albion College

• Eligibility: Prospective first year students based on merit and academic performance 
• Amount: $26,000 up to $35,000
• Deadline: Admission to Albion College

Calvin University

• Eligibility: Incoming freshmen with 3.10+ high school GPA as well as 21+ ACT or 1020+ SAT if submitted 
• Amount: $12,000 up to $22,000
• Deadline: Admission to Calvin University

Grand Valley State University 

• Eligibility: Admitted first year students who have strong academic applications 
• Amount: $1,000 up to $11,000
• Deadline: March 1

Central Michigan University

• Eligibility: Freshmen who have strong high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores
• Amount: 20% of tuition up to 65% of tuition 
• Deadline: Admission to Central Michigan University

Western Michigan University

• Eligibility: First year undergraduate students who demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, honors and awards and an impressive essay/personal statement
• Amount: $1,500 up to full tuition 
• Deadline: December 15

Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity

In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.

Here are a few well-known Michigan universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:

• In-state tuition: $16,736
• Out-of-state tuition: $55,334
• In-state tuition: $16,051
• Out-of-state tuition: $43,435

How do you get in-state tuition? 

Being an out-of-state student paying out-of-state tuition rates can be extremely expensive in Michigan. In order to become a Michigan resident for tuition purposes, you will need to physically reside in the state of Michigan for at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the semester in which you want in-state tuition rates. During these 12 months, you will need to establish a domicile in Michigan. This includes obtaining physical evidence of your commitment to Michigan, such as obtaining a Michigan driver’s license and registering your vehicle in Michigan. Be sure to double check with your intended Michigan college or university’s policy on obtaining residency for tuition purposes to ensure you are eligible. 

Read more: How to get in-state tuition as an out-of-state student

Does Michigan offer tuition reciprocity ?  

No, Michigan no longer participates in the Midwest Student Exchange . 

Frequently asked questions about Michigan scholarships

What types of scholarships does michigan offer, are there michigan scholarships for certain fields of study, start your scholarship search.

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Find College Scholarships - Michigan

Search lists of scholarships by choosing a category or get matched to college scholarships you are eligible for.

• By Category
• Your Matches

Niche $25,000 "No Essay" Scholarship

• Deadline May 31, 2024
• Amount $25,000
• Offered By Niche
• State National
• Description Help cover the cost of college without writing a single essay! Niche is giving one student $25,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required! High school seniors will also be eligible to receive acceptances (and scholarships!) from our Direct Admissions partner colleges. Fill out your Niche Profile with key details like your GPA and the high school you attend, and you’ll automatically be considered. Apply below for your chance to win so you can focus on your education, not your finances. Good luck!
• Essay Required :  No
• Recommendations Required :  No
• Minimum GPA :  None
• Major All majors
• Type Generic

$ 2,000 Sallie Mae No Essay Scholarship

• Amount $2,000
• Offered By Sallie Mae
• Description Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help in paying for school.
• Minimum GPA :  No

$ 50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

• Amount $50,000
• Offered By ScholarshipOwl
• State Nationwide
• Description Apply for the scholarship that gives you a shot at a total of $50,000. At least 4 Winners will be selected each month to be awarded $1,000. No essay is required. Once you apply, you will be automatically reapplied each month for more chances to win!
• Major Any Major

Del Papa-Grimaldi Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Offered By Archdiocese of Detroit
• State Michigan
• Description The Del Papa-Grimaldi-Gabriele Scholarship is offered to high school seniors and first-year college students residing in the Archdiocese of Detroit. . This grant should not be sought by, nor awarded to, students for whom work is a hobby or a luxury, but rather by those who have worked because of necessity.
• Essay Required :  Unknown
• Recommendations Required :  Yes
• Minimum GPA :  2.0
• Type Catholic
• Find Student Loans

Lilo Wendell Scholarship

• Amount $4,000
• Description The Lilo Wendell Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to provide college or university scholarship grants to deserving high-school seniors and first-year college students who are Catholic daughters of single mothers and are members of a parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
• Essay Required :  Yes
• Minimum GPA :  2.5
• Type Female, Catholic

Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

• Deadline July 15, 2024
• Amount $11200
• Offered By Michigan Student Aid
• Description The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant provides undergraduate tuition assistance to students older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who are the natural or adopted child of a Michigan veteran. The veteran must have died or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of military service.
• Type Military Family

Fostering Futures Scholarship

• Deadline August 1, 2024
• Amount Varies
• Description The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship

• Deadline November 8, 2024
• Amount Variable
• Offered By Youth For Understanding
• State Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Wisconsin
• Description The CBYX Scholarship is administered in select states by YFU USA and is for motivated high school students who want to live with a host family and attend school for an academic year in Germany. No previous German language experience is required.

Guy M. Wilson Scholarship

• Deadline January 8, 2025
• Amount $1000
• Offered By The American Legion Department of Michigan
• Description Available to only Michigan residents who are high school seniors and are a son, daughter, grandchild or great-grandchild of a war-time veteran planning to or are attending any Michigan accredited college or university or trade school.
• Recommendations Required :  Unknown

William D. & Jewell Brewer Scholarship

• Amount $500
• Description Available to only Michigan residents who are high school seniors or college students – without a bachelor's degree, who are a son, daughter, grandchild or great-grandchild of a war-time veteran planning to or are attending any nationally accredited college or university or trade school.

Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship

• Deadline March 1, 2025
• Amount $1,000
• Offered By The American Legion Life Insurance Committee
• Description Boy scouts who are members of an American Legion, Department of Michigan post troop and have obtained the level of eagle scout or are the descendant of American Legion members may apply. The winner at the department level receives a $1,000 scholarship and is advanced to the national level for consideration for Eagle Scout of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship.

Birmingham Unitarian Church Goldsmith Scholarship Program

• Deadline March 15, 2025
• Offered By Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
• Description For current and former graduates of Pontiac High School (and its predecessors). Recipients must enroll full- or part-time at a public college in Michigan.

Detroit Economic Club Scholarship

• Description For graduating seniors in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. Special consideration is given to students who have overcome specific hardships to achieve their personal and educational goals.
• Minimum GPA :  3.2

Donna W. Adams Scholarship Program

• Amount $3,000
• Description For graduating seniors of Detroit Public Schools, who also graduated from one of the eligible east side Detroit grade schools who are now pursuing college degrees.
• Type Detroit Public School Graduating Seniors

Horatio Alger State Scholarship - Michigan

• Amount $10,000
• Offered By Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc
• Description The Horatio Alger Association, through the generosity of its members, provides aid to students in all states who have displayed integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.
• Minimum GPA :  2.00

Ordoñez Family Scholarship

• Amount $1,250
• Description For graduating seniors who are residents of southwest Detroit, attending eligible southwest Detroit high schools.
• Minimum GPA :  3.0

Otis Smith Scholarship

• Description For single mothers who are residents of Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties and want to attend Wayne State University, the University of Michigan or the Columbus College of Law at Catholic University of America.
• Type Female

Robert Holmes Scholarship

• Description For graduating seniors who are children of eligible Michigan Teamsters members and attending or planning to attend an eligible institution in Michigan.

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Scholarship

• Description For graduating seniors who reside in one of the 21 communities served by the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber.
• Major Skilled Trades/Construction, NA, Business/Management, Marketing, Sports Management, Finance/Accounting, Mechanics/Repair

GEAR UP Scholarship

• Deadline Varies
• Description Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal program designed to provide early intervention services and programs to students in middle school and high school. The mission of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. MICHIGAN GEAR UP (MI GEAR UP) targets low-income students in the state of Michigan providing them with support services to increase their opportunity to succeed in higher education at Michigan's higher educational institutions.

Honors College STATE Scholarship

• Amount $5,000
• Offered By Michigan State University
• Description Awarded to in-state Honors College invitees who have been offered a Professorial Assistantship; $5,000 annually, renewable for eight semesters.
• Type Michigan State University

Scholarships

Most Searched

A college education is a big investment. Scholarships are an excellent way to make your college experience more affordable. And unlike other forms of financial aid, they are gift money that never needs to be paid back.

Learn about the steps you need to take to be automatically considered for undergraduate scholarships at U-M and how you can apply for additional scholarship opportunities based on special criteria.

The main sources of graduate student scholarships are through your U-M school, college, or department and the Rackham Graduate School. There are several scholarships for graduate students administered by the Office of Financial Aid you can also explore.

There are many scholarship opportunities for students studying abroad who need additional financial assistance. We have compiled a list of useful resources to get you started.

If a scholarship sponsor sends a scholarship check directly to you, you can follow these steps to make sure it is properly applied to your U-M student account.

2024 Michigan Scholarships

Michigan is not immune from the nationwide trend of rising tuition costs. The average tuition for Michigan universities is a whopping $13,320.00 and the total cost of attendance is $29,048.00. 59% of student graduates in Michigan graduate with an average debt load of $32,158.00. That’s why hundreds of thousands of students in Michigan turn either to scholarships or student loans.

These MI scholarships are available for men, women and a variety of students in Michigan, and any Michigan resident regardless of their interests or background. Michigan scholarships are available for college students, for adults going back to school, and all types of MI students or MI residents, and especially targeted to help middle class families afford a top-of-the-line education. The best part about these scholarships is they are easy (many require nothing more than filling out a simple form) and they don’t need to be paid back!

While some scholarships are easy and can be completed in under 30 seconds, others require more upfront information. We’ve marked easy scholarships with a little “Easy Apply” so you can prioritize them. This is the complete list of the best scholarships for Michigan residents.

How much total award money and scholarships are available for MI residents?

There are 449 scholarships totaling $1,633,815.00 available to Michigan residents. You can easily browse through all 449 scholarships below.

How many scholarships are available for moms and single moms in Michigan?

Moms in Michigan are eligible for all the same scholarships as MI residents. Therefore, the 449 scholarships worth $1,633,815.00 mentioned above is also available to moms and single moms. In addition, however, you can check out additional scholarships for moms, which have been provided exclusively for moms and single moms, and you can find from the main scholarship search engine page.

How many scholarships are available for college students in Michigan?

449 scholarships worth $1,633,815.00 are available for college students in MI. In addition, we encourage current college students in Michigan to check scholarships by school and, specifically, colleges in Michigan for more options. Here are links for scholarships at the 20 largest colleges in Michigan:

How many scholarships are available for high school seniors in Michigan?

449 scholarships totaling $1,633,815.00 are available for high school seniors in MI. In addition, we encourage current high school students to check out more from the scholarship search engine .

Do I need to be a resident of MI to apply to these scholarships?

Our scholarship search automatically returns scholarships by all different types of requirements. The below scholarships are either explicitly available for Michigan residents, or they do not require specific state residency at all and are therefore available to MI students and residents, as well as others across the country.

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• Criteria-specific scholarships

The following scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students who meet the criteria specified by the award. Satisfying the criteria does not guarantee that a student will receive a scholarship since the amount of funding may limit the number of awards that can be offered. Consideration for these awards is automatic. In some instances, an additional application is required. Check the searchable database for additional major-specific scholarships awarded directly by colleges and departments.

Creative Arts Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of students indicating English or art as a major. There are additional materials to submit for consideration:

• English majors:  Creative Arts Scholarship application
• Art majors:  Submit portfolio or essay

Gupta Values Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of incoming students that show commitment to the values of integrity, human dignity and excellence (Core Values). Gupta Values Scholarship required. Log in to your account to access the application .

Harold I. Gach Scholarship Endowment Awarded to two residents of Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties in Michigan who have been affected by cancer (either student or parent).  Harold I. Gach Scholarship application  required.

James B. Hamilton Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of Honors College invitees who apply for the  Mowbray Scholars Program . The selection process is based on academic achievement and an interview.

MSU 4-H Scholarship Awarded to six 4-H program participants.  4-H Scholarship application  required.

MSU Family Fund Awarded to 10 children or grandchildren of eligible Michigan State University employees or retirees.  Family Fund Scholarship application  required.

MSU Retirees Association Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of incoming and currently enrolled students. Preference is given to children or grandchildren of employees or retirees of MSU.  MSU Retirees Association Scholarship application  required.

The Samuel J. Dewey Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of students from Oakland County in Michigan that have struggled with or been impacted by behavioral or mental health challenges and disorders. Applicants must also complete an additional essay in order to be considered for this scholarship. Log in to your account to access the additional essay and full scholarship criteria .

Walter and Shirley Sperber Scholarship Awarded to two students with at least one deceased parent. Sperber Scholarship application required. Log in to your account to access the application .

Debate Team Scholarship Awarded to a member of the MSU Debate Team.

Jay Samuel Hartt Scholarships Awarded to five students indicating interest in the arts or humanities.

Violet L. Wilton Herbert Endowed Scholarship Awarded to a student displaying academic achievement.

Earvin Magic Johnson Scholarship Endowed by the Los Angeles Lakers Awarded to a limited number of students based on academic achievement, financial need and demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities and community involvement.

Marian E. Moore Scholarship Awarded to a student based on academic achievement and financial need.

MSU Promise Endowed Scholarship Awarded to a student displaying academic achievement, special talents and experiences.

Schupan and Sons/Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of children of Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers employees.

Dr. Gary L. Seevers Scholarship Awarded to a limited number of students invited to Honors College membership who are majoring in an area offered by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 Foundation Scholarship Awarded to three members or children of members of UFCW Local 951.

Greg and Pamela Zbasnik Honors Scholarship Awarded to two students invited to Honors College membership.

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Friend of Youth

Essay Contest

The contest is divided into two levels of competition:

1. The preliminary Club contest, where the winner from each local contest advances to the District level, and

Could You Use a $2500 Scholarship?

Topic for the 2023-24 school year is: “Optimism: How it Connects Us”

Eligibility: Open to all students under the age of 19 as of Oct 1, 2023 (and not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution)

Residence: Student must reside in the State of Michigan – Lower Peninsula

Language: The essay must be written in English

How to Enter: Students write and submit an essay on their interpretation of this year’s official topic, “Optimism: How it Connects Us”.

This scholarship contest is comprised of 2 levels: A preliminary round, which is conducted by local Optimist clubs across the state (entry deadline is generally Jan 31, 2024). The winner from each local club advances to the District level, where scholarships are awarded annually in May. The overall winner receives a $2,500 scholarship, Second Place earns $1,500 and Third Place earns $1,000.

A list of participating clubs will be posted in early December. Students: submit your essay packet to the one in your community. If there is not an Optimist Club where you live, submit your essay packet to the one nearest to you. Duplicate entries will not be accepted and are grounds for disqualification.

Most Clubs only accept submissions during the months of December and January. It is your responsibility to verify the deadline with the respective chairperson. Student submissions will not be accepted after the Club-level contests have closed.

Optimist Clubs or parents wanting more information can use the form below or please e-mail the Michigan District Essay Chair at [email protected] .

Club-Level Winner’s Submission Deadline: The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2024. Please refer to your Club Packet or contact the District Chair for more information.

Application for 2023-2024 Optimist International Essay Contest

2023 – 2024 local clubs participating in essay contest, no entries match your request..

2022-23 Essay Contest Winner

1st place, and a $2,500 scholarship:Brooke Lewis, age 16 from Zealand High SchoolHolland Optimist Club   "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?" Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Good leaders inspire people to have confidence in their leader....

Michigan District Optimists proudly announces the results of the 2021-22 Essay Scholarship Contest!

Michigan District Optimists proudly announce the results of the 2021-22 Essay Scholarship Contest!1st Place and winner of the $2,500 scholarship: Grace Brege, age 18,Alpena High SchoolOptimist Club of Alpine 2nd Place: Claire Johnson, age 16,Ogemaw Heights High...

Michigan District Optimists proudly announces the results of the 2020-21 Essay Scholarship Contest!

Michigan District Optimists proudly announces the results of the 2020-21 Essay Scholarship Contest!1st Place and winner of the $2,500 scholarship: Bowei Li, age 16,Okemos High SchoolRoyal Oak Optimist Club 2nd Place: Lucy Cheatham, age 16,Portage Central High...

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Lee Honors College

A legacy of learning: the karl and joyce sandelin medallion scholarship.

This year marked many celebrations and successes and I'd like to highlight one now.

This spring semester the number of Medallion scholarships increased, thanks to the generous donation of Mr. Karl R. Sandelin (1928-2024) who left in his estate the necessary funds to endow a Medallion Scholarship that will bear his and his wife’s names: The Karl and Joyce Sandelin Medallion Scholarship. The Lee Honors family could not be more grateful for the gift and for what this scholarship represents - the opportunity for one more academically motivated high school student to benefit from the couple’s generosity.

As anyone who knew Mr. and Mrs. Sandelin can attest, their conviction that education is one of the most effective ways to improve personal satisfaction and community enhancement motivated them to bring about numerous positive changes. Their belief in this is reflected in the causes they championed throughout their lives, both monetarily and through their personal talents and time. 

For example, Mr. Sandelin served on the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board from 1966 to 1970 and was one of the primary forces behind securing the funds to build the current Kalamazoo Central High School, which opened in 1972. Mrs. Sandelin (1930-2016), actively supported her children’s schools and her husband’s efforts to enhance education in many ways. Through the years, they were both consistent donors to Western Michigan University. 

As President Emeritus John Dunn said of Mr. Sandelin upon learning of his passing, and his planned gift to WMU: “Karl Sandelin understood the value of education and through his generous Medallion gift we will always remember him fondly. ‘This is Karl,’ showing us once again his unending commitment to supporting students and their education.”

The Medallion Scholarship was close to both the Sandelins' hearts. Two of their grandchildren, Ryan and Jeffrey Breisach, were Medallion recipients while attending WMU (classes of 2005 and 2008, respectively), as well as a granddaughter-in-law, Carrie (Johnson) Breisach (class of 2005).  

The couple understood that when there is an investment in students and communities, the return is transformative. Tobi Breisach, Karl Sandelin’s daughter, put it best when she said the following: “The gift of opportunity from a Rotary International Scholarship to pursue a college education in the United States changed my father’s life. He met the love of his life at Western and graduated with skills that led him to a successful career in international business. Throughout their lives, my parents were always helping support and mentor students. It is fitting that my father wanted to pay forward the gift he received by donating his estate to fund an endowed Medallion scholarship.” To learn more about their lives and legacy, please view the obituaries written by their families. Mr. Karl R. Sandelin (1928-2024) Mrs. Joyce R. Sandelin (1930-2016)

2024 Essay Scholarship Competition Winners Announced!

We have officially announced the winners of our seventh annual essay scholarship competition. To see the winners and read their essay submissions, click here .

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Two Michigan Aerospace Students Awarded Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) Scholarships

Congratulations to undergraduate student Lucie Kovarik and PhD student Jasmine Chang

Michigan Aerospace would like to congratulate two University of Michigan students, undergraduate student Lucie Kovarik and PhD student Jasmine Chang, for being awarded 2024 Vertical Flight Foundation (VFF) Scholarships from the Vertical Flight Society (VFS). The VFF scholarships are merit based and awarded to students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing engineering related careers in vertical flight technology. Each year, the scholarship is open to full time students attending a university or college from anywhere in the world. 

VFS will honor this year’s VFF scholarship recipients, at the Awards Breakfast Banquet during the 80th Annual Forum on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Palais des congrés Montréal. There they will receive their scholarship checks and certificates honoring them and their hard work.

Lucie Kovarik has been awarded the Joseph P. Cribbins Scholarship, honoring the individual who had one of the most influential and long-term impacts on US Army Aviation logistics in the 20th century. Kovarik is interested in pursuing research which focuses on electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) and hydrogen-powered aircraft in hopes of pursuing a career in the decarbonization of the aerospace industry.

“Receiving the Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship is a great honor that I am exceptionally grateful for. It’s an affirmation of my passion for advancing the frontiers of aviation, particularly in the realms of hydrogen-powered aircraft and eVTOL. The scholarship is a true testament to the support I’ve had from the university and the broader aerospace industry. I look forward to continuing my aerospace studies and club engagement in my next two years at Michigan,” Kovarik said.

As a sophomore studying aerospace engineering with a minor in sustainability, Kovarik has focused her attention towards the Michigan Sustainability Applications for Aerospace Vehicle Engineering (M-SAAVE) Humanitarian UAV Mission (HUM) project team, where she is the Systems Lead. Additionally, she is on the board for the Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WAA) student organization and part of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). 

This year, Jasmine Chang ranked as a top PhD candidate and will receive the Glidden S. Doman Scholarship of $4,000. The Glidden S. Doman Scholarship is named for one of the six original American helicopter pioneers, Glidden (Glid) Sweet Doman who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1942 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. 

“I am grateful to receive the Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship, as it is a significant recognition of my efforts, particularly for the two years I have been in the Aerospace Engineering Department. I am also grateful to my advisor, Professor Cesnik, for the guidance and support he has given me,” commented Chang.

Chang is an active member of the Active Aeroelasticity & Structures Research Lab (A2SRL) led by Richard A. Auhll Department Chair of Aerospace Engineering, Carlos Cesnik. Her research interests include fluid-structure interaction and aeroelasticity, and her current research focuses on developing frequency-domain aeroelastic solutions for whirl flutter prediction. Chang graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSE and MSE in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

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Michigan Wide Receiver Room May Be Getting A Boost

With only seven wide receivers on scholarship, Michigan could use a couple reinforcements.

• Author: Brandon Brown

In this story:

Michigan offered Youngstown State wide receiver CJ Charleston a few days ago and things are apparently heading in a positive direction between both parties. Sam Webb of 247 Sports recently predicted that Charleston will end up in Ann Arbor.

If Charleston does end up at Michigan, he'll have two years of eligibility remaining despite being five years removed from high school. He redshirted in 2019, has the 2020 COVID season in the books and missed the entire 2022 season with an Achilles injury.

Michigan has just seven wide receivers on scholarship — senior Peyton O’Leary, junior Tyler Morris, sophomores Kendrick Bell, Fredrick Moore and Semaj Morgan and freshmen Channing Goodwin and I’Marion Stewart. Charleston, while not being overly productive throughout his time at Youngstown, would provide some nice experience and potential leadership to a room that doesn't have much. It's going to be interesting to see if Charleston does end up at U-M and if the staff will continue to pursue other, potentially big-bodied, pass catchers.

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Volume 2024, No. 2

Table of contents, stategraft vs. corruption: a survey experiment.

Bernadette Atuahene & Janice Nadler

Stategraft is a socio-legal concept that Professor Bernadette Atuahene coined to describe instances “when state agents transfer property from persons to the state in violation of the state’s own laws or basic human rights.” This new concept extends the existing conversation about corruption by pointing to illegal acts that benefit public rather than private coffers and moving beyond the culpable mental states of individual actors. This Essay reports results of a survey experiment testing whether stategraft abridges citizens’ trust more than corruption. Based on the arguments made in the foundational article, “A Theory of Stategraft,” we hypothesize that respondents will view graft by public officials benefitting public coffers (stategraft) as more of a betrayal and more unfair than theft by public officials or private entities benefiting private coffers (corruption). Surprisingly, our study results suggest this hypothesis is empirically unfounded. Nevertheless, this new concept has created a unique space for academics, journalists, lawyers, and policymakers to identify and discuss graft that benefits public coffers, bringing this important conversation from the sidelines of socio-legal studies to the center stage.

Jayesh Rathod & Anne Schaufele

Pursuing the American dream is a costly endeavor. From the initial journey to the United States, to navigating the complicated immigration system, to labor exploitation, to scams targeting recent arrivals, immigrants pay heavily into the formal and informal sectors. As explored in this Essay, however, their pay-out does not stop there: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also charges and retains funds in unjustified ways, resulting in tens of millions of dollars transferred from the pockets of vulnerable immigrants and their families to the sprawling immigration bureaucracy. This Essay introduces the term immigraft to capture this phenomenon, defined as the unjust transfer of funds from individuals to the state in the context of efforts to obtain immigration benefits or relief from the state.

This Essay highlights four examples of immigraft in the U.S. immigration system, describing how sub-agencies of DHS have illegally and/or unjustly retained funds in the context of biometric services fees, humanitarian parole applications filed by Afghan nationals, immigration bond for noncitizens in removal proceedings, and administrative appeals filed due to obvious agency mistakes. This Essay concludes by exploring theoretical implications of immigraft, including the normalization of extraction of value from noncitizens and its corrosive effect on the relationship among citizens, noncitizens, and the state. By way of a path forward, this Essay also offers practical recommendations to address immigraft through executive action and congressional oversight.

Stategraft in Public Assistance Programs

Spencer Headworth

Lawbreaking and resource misuse in public assistance programs receive ample popular and political attention. The bulk of this attention focuses on alleged abuses on the part of programs’ clients. This Essay addresses a lesspublicized issue: illegal actions on the part of public officials that deprive citizens of resources to which they would otherwise have access. When such actions function to benefit government treasuries, they constitute stategraft.

This Essay focuses on episodes of stategraft in two contexts: state and local officials using public assistance money in ways that violate the spirit or letter of federal law and eligibility determination and rule enforcement interventions that result in improper benefit denials or program disqualifications. Examples in both categories demonstrate the operation of preemptive stategraft , in which officials supplement government budgets through failure to transfer resources that should have flowed to individuals and families.

White-on-Black Crime: Revisiting the Convict Leasing Narrative

Between 1880 and 1915, the Southern criminal legal system enslaved and re-enslaved legally emancipated Black persons. Under the conventional account of this period, the law facilitated and legitimatized these practices, however odious and racially discriminatory. This view—one that critiques as it accepts the legality of the system—provides an explanation for a significant number of cases in which a Black person was convicted and sent to forced labor.

And yet, there is growing evidence that many convictions were not facilitated by law but rather the result of criminal conspiracies to traffic Black victims. County-level arrest data indicates “convictions” occurred in lockstep with the labor demands of businesses that contracted with local state actors. Numerous personal accounts from victims and their families indicate that arrests occurred in the absence of any criminal suspicion. This empirical data suggests many Black “convicts” were instead victims of human trafficking. Because completing these White-on-Black crimes required coordination among multiple parties, a criminal conspiracy was formed that implicated White participants in kidnapping, false imprisonment, perjury, peonage, reckless endangerment, and reckless homicide.

This Essay examines archival evidence that suggests the criminal trafficking of Black men was a common, if not widespread, practice between 1880 to 1915. Under this alternative view the term “convict leasing” is over-inclusive and mislabels these victims of human trafficking. Under the alternative view the historical Black crime rate is not only inflated but fabricated; conversely, the historical White crime rate omits a significant amount of criminal activity. This alternative view centers the criminal conduct of White beneficiaries, inviting a close accounting of their crimes and ill-gotten gains.

The Commodification of Children and the Poor, and the Theory of Stategraft

Daniel L. Hatcher

Across the country, human service agencies, juvenile and family courts, prosecutors, probation departments, police officers, sheriffs, and detention and treatment facilities are churning impoverished children and adults through revenue operations with starkly disproportionate racial impact. Rather than being true to their intended missions of improving welfare and providing equal justice for vulnerable populations, the institutions are mining them with extractive practices that are harmful, unlawful, unconstitutional, and unethical. This Essay considers such commodification schemes under the lens of Professor Bernadette Atuahene’s excellent and important theory of stategraft. The examples discussed provide support for Atuahene’s theory, and this Essay simultaneously urges a broad understanding of the theory’s definitional elements to fully capture the scope of stategraft practices—and to help expand and link the community of scholars and advocates working to expose, unravel, and end such state-led predatory mechanisms.

Tax Enforcement at the Intersection of Social Welfare and Vulnerable Populations

Michelle Lyon Drumbl

This Essay engages with Professor Bernadette Atuahene’s theory of stategraft in the context of tax administration and the role that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plays in implementing certain social welfare benefits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Specifically, it considers whether the IRS’s denials of the EITC to those who might otherwise be eligible and entitled to it constitutes a wrongful taking by the state or a violation of basic human rights. While this Essay concludes that denials of the EITC generally do not fit within Atuahene’s definition of stategraft, it highlights two particularly problematic concerns with modern EITC enforcement and frames those within the context of Professor Atuahene’s broader concerns about how state actions affect vulnerable populations.

One concern is the racially disparate EITC audit outcomes that have come to light. Though the IRS does not collect information on taxpayer race and ethnicity, a recent report found that, among all taxpayers claiming the EITC, Black taxpayers are statistically more likely to be audited than non- Black taxpayers. The other concern relates to the so-called two-year ban, which can be imposed by the IRS following a determination that a taxpayer wrongly claimed the EITC or Child Tax Credit due to reckless or intentional disregard of rules and regulations. Though the ban is not imposed frequently, this Essay highlights due process and fairness concerns related to this authority. This Essay concludes with brief remarks about the IRS’s enforcement priorities and efforts to curtail improper payment rates of refundable tax credits.

Centering the State in Stategraft: Reforming Abusive Local Governments Requires State Law Reform

Michelle Wilde Anderson

Ten years have passed since Darren Wilson, an officer of the Ferguson police department in Missouri, killed teenager Michael Brown. The street uprising that followed led to a generation of investigative journalism, federal inquests, civil rights litigation, and legal and policy scholarship that documented local governments engaged in illegal, racially discriminatory revenue collection practices. Today, nearly every state has advocates pushing to reform local systems that stack fines and fees on cities’ poorest residents. From the political right as well as the political left, these advocates demand a version of local government that does not fund its operations by making its most vulnerable residents even worse off. Bernadette Atuahene has long been among the scholars driving this work. She forcefully critiques exploitative practices by local governments in “A Theory of Stategraft.”

Atuahene is right in her unsparing assessment. But the rightness of her argument should not deflect from the degree to which state governments also drive stategraft. State regulation, funding, and delegation of authority to local governments are background causes of abusive local systems. This Essay pulls up alongside Atuahene’s article to argue that any answer to “stategraft” will have to force states to the table of reform. Using Missouri and Michigan as examples, this Essay highlights some of the state background rules that are responsible for the impossible fiscal bind that local governments face in providing basic services to high-poverty cities. A quick look at a lawsuit in Louisiana demonstrates how states can and must share the costs of the concentrated poverty that state policy has helped to build.

Exacting Assessments: Sheetz and the Problem of Stategraft 

Christopher Serkin

In the spring of 2024, the United States Supreme Court decided Sheetz v. County of El Dorado . The case resolved a long-standing question: whether the constitutional rules applying to ad hoc development exactions also apply to legislated exactions. They do. It is an important case, and one that may reconfigure the financing of municipal infrastructure. This Essay examines the case through the lens of Professor Bernadette Atuahene’s concept of “stategraft,” or the government illegally using its regulatory power to raise money from the poor and politically powerless. This Essay compares legislative exactions to other forms of municipal finance like special exceptions and argues that they actually provide fewer opportunities for stategraft. This Essay, therefore, concludes that legislated development exactions should not be subject to heightened constitutional review.

Automated Stategraft:  Electronic Enforcement Technology and the Economic Predation of Black Communities

Sonia M. Gipson Rankin, Melanie Moses & Kathy L. Powers

Automated traffic enforcement systems disproportionately impact Black communities in the United States. This Essay uncovers a troubling reality: while technologies such as speed cameras and red light cameras are often touted as tools for public safety by the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration, they disproportionately burden Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. The authors coin the term “automated stategraft” to describe this phenomenon—an insidious process that siphons financial resources from already vulnerable groups under the guise of law enforcement. In doing so, it exacerbates economic disparities and erodes trust in legal and governmental institutions.

This Essay delves into the biases inherent in these technologies, particularly in the future of automated traffic enforcement: facial recognition systems. These biases amplify racial and economic injustices, perpetuating inequities. To address this pressing issue, this Essay proposes more just traffic enforcement practices that prioritize community trust and avoid exacerbating racial disparities. It advocates for a critical reevaluation of existing practices, emphasizing equity, justice, and community well-being over financial gain or excessive surveillance. This call to action underscores the urgent need to safeguard public interests in an era marked by increasing surveillance, ensuring that technological advancements in law enforcement serve to protect—rather than oppress—marginalized communities.

Are Municipal Fines and Fees Tools of Stategraft?

Dick M. Carpenter II, Jamie Cavanaugh & Sam Gedge

Most, if not all, incorporated communities in the United States have municipal and traffic codes that delineate the powers and duties of local governments or provide rules and regulations for public activity in the community. The primary stated purpose of code enforcement is promoting and protecting public health and safety. Codes are commonly enforced through monetary fines and administrative fees. Recent years have seen growing concern about cities engaging in “taxation by citation”—that is, the use of code enforcement to raise revenue from fines and fees in excess of citations issued solely to protect and advance public safety. A significant focus of the concern is how taxation by citation violates rights in the pursuit of revenue. In this way, taxation by citation seems to illustrate Professor Bernadette Atuahene’s theory of stategraft: state agents transferring property from residents “to the state in violation of the state’s own laws or basic human rights,” often during times of budgetary austerity. But this Essay identifies important features of municipal codes and their enforcement that are not necessarily encompassed by this theory. It suggests how stategraft may be expanded to encompass laws, regulations, and systems that legally—if arguably unconstitutionally—allow or incentivize state actors to exploit their residents for the benefit of the bureaucrat’s budget.

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The Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission's vision is to be an exemplary commission by adding public value to the State of Michigan and the APA community, by fully engaging APAs across the state

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The Commission strives to market the state's career development services to Michigan Hispanics, encourage initiatives to reduce the high school dropout rates of Hispanic youth, and facilitate efforts to increase the enrollment of Hispanics in postsecondary education and training programs

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The Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Council passionately embraces diversity, recognizing and celebrating the profound strength immigrants and refugees bring to the vibrant tapestry of Michigan. The council is unwavering in its dedication to cultivating a warm, inclusive environment that extends a heartfelt welcome to individuals from diverse backgrounds who have chosen Michigan as their new home.

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The Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission, stands as a beacon of advocacy, inclusion and celebration for Michigan's diverse LGBTQ+ community. The commission's charge is to ensure equal representation, amplify voices and foster a state where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels affirmed and valued.

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Scholarships

The following list provides information on various scholarships across Michigan and the U.S. that may be relevant to Hispanic/Latino students of all ages and educational levels. Please note that the provided basic requirements are there to help with sorting through scholarships, and further requirements may be present. To find out more, please visit the respective website (by clicking on the scholarship’s name) of the scholarship you are interested in.

Note: Scholarships listed here are not sponsored or created by the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.

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Michigan basketball offers scholarship to No. 1 player in 2025 class

• Published: May. 01, 2024, 11:52 a.m.

A.J. Dybantsa, who plays for Prolific Prep in California and is the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, reported a scholarship offer from Michigan. (Photo: Meredith Perri | MassLive) Meredith Perri

• Andrew Kahn | [email protected]

New Michigan men’s basketball coach Dusty May and his staff have assembled the bulk of next season’s roster and are apparently setting their sights on 2025.

A few top high school prospects reported scholarship offers from Michigan on Tuesday, including the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 class.

A.J. Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 small forward, is the consensus top prospect for next year: 247Sports, Rivals, On3, and ESPN all have him ranked No. 1.

Last year, after his freshman season, he was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts. He subsequently transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, California, and in October reclassified from the 2026 class to 2025, meaning he will start his senior year in the fall.

“He has a slippery and smooth handle in the open floor that allows him to attack the basket downhill,” according to an On3 scouting report. “He is a bouncy athlete at the rim, finishing high above in transition. Dybantsa has a smooth jump shot and can create his own shots off the bounce. He has the length and upside to be very good when he is locked in on the defensive end.”

Dybantsa reportedly holds offers from a bevy of high-profile programs, including Kansas, North Carolina, Connecticut, Alabama, and Auburn. Like many top prospects, the offseason coaching carousel is affecting his recruitment. He’d taken a visit to USC before that program’s coaching change, and John Calipari is continuing his pursuit after moving from Kentucky to Arkansas.

In a story published Tuesday morning, Dybantsa said he planned to take more visits in the fall before narrowing his options.

Two other 2025 prospects reported offered from Michigan on Tuesday: Shon Abaev and Braylon Mullins. Abaev is a 6-foot-7 small forward at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same program that produced former Wolverine Gregg Glenn III. Abaev is listed as the No. 59 player in the class according to the 247Sports composite ranking. He holds offers from Oregon and Tennessee, among others.

Mullins, a 6-foot-5 guard ranked No. 100 in the composite, plays for Greenfield-Central in Greenfield, Indiana. His offer list includes Indiana, Iowa, and Notre Dame.

The next time college coaches can watch high school players compete in person is May 17-19.

Like most programs, Michigan does not yet have any players committed for 2025. Michigan’s previous coaching staff, led by Juwan Howard, had offered several players in the class, including several five-star recruits.

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