Michigan State University Alumni Distinguished Scholarship
Offered by Michigan State University
About this scholarship
Michigan State University awards 15 Alumni Distinguished Scholarships to the strongest performers in its invitation-only Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition. Each award covers tuition and university fees, food, and double-occupancy housing in an MSU residence hall with the Silver dining plan. It also supplies $1,000 per academic year and can continue for eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. Four of the 15 awards carry special donor designations, but they provide the same core package. Students do not submit a stand-alone public scholarship form. MSU invites its most outstanding incoming first-year candidates to compete after reviewing admission applications received by November 1. For Fall 2027, students should complete one of MSU’s accepted admission applications, provide all required materials, and select Early Action by November 1, 2026. The linked official Apply page is the route that begins consideration. Selection depends on intellectual performance in the scholarship competition as well as the exceptional record that generated the invitation. Recipients must join and remain in good standing with the Honors College, complete at least 12 credits each semester, and build a minimum 3.2 cumulative MSU GPA. They are also expected to participate in the annual distinguished-scholar cohort program. The value estimate uses MSU’s resident direct costs as a conservative annual sorting proxy; a nonresident award may be worth more.
Eligibility
- Apply to Michigan State University as an incoming first-year undergraduate student
- Submit the complete Fall 2027 admission application and required materials by November 1, 2026 for maximum scholarship consideration
- Enroll at Michigan State University for the semester in which the scholarship is first awarded
- Complete at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester while receiving the award
- Remain in good academic standing at Michigan State University
- Receive an invitation from MSU to participate in the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition
- Rank among the top 15 candidates based on intellectual performance in the competition
- Join and remain in good standing with the MSU Honors College
- Establish and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative MSU GPA for full renewal