Scholarship FAQ for Incoming Students

Who receives scholarships? How do you choose who gets a scholarship?

  • All applications for admission to the College of LSA at UM are considered for scholarships. Of the 9,000 students admitted into LSA last year, 1,500 applications were considered for the 150 scholarships awarded each year.  The LSA scholarship committee holistically reviews University admissions materials to determine academic merit, personal achievement, extracurricular activities, awards, community service, leadership qualities, and academic potential. Scholarship offers are determined by using the above criteria to evaluate candidates against all qualified candidates being considered for scholarships for the particular academic year. Therefore, the scholarship committee does not have a checklist of characteristics that will guarantee a scholarship offer. The applicant pool varies from year to year and scholarships are awarded based on the competitiveness of each admitted LSA class.

What are scholarship offers based on? How many are based on need and how many based on merit?

  • Some four-year awards are based on merit and demonstrated financial need. Recipients are selected for these awards by the LSA Scholarship Office  based on the strength of the admissions application, financial need, and criteria designated by the scholarship donors. The LSA Scholarship Office also offers need-based scholarships to LSA continuing students. For additional information on scholarships for continuing students, please click here.

If I receive one of these scholarships, will I need to reapply each year?

  • No. Scholarships for incoming freshmen are renewable for up to four years provided the recipient meets and maintains all requirements outlined in their Scholarship Response Form.

I’ve been offered a scholarship from another university. How can I get the University to increase my scholarship amount?

  • It is against the policy of the LSA Scholarship Office to negotiate scholarship amounts. The scholarship offered to you is final, fixed, and non-negotiable.

If I don’t get a merit scholarship as an incoming freshman, is there other money available? How can I tighten the gap between what I need and what I have?

  • There are several other options for students who are not offered a merit scholarship from the LSA Scholarship Office. Please see the “Financial Options for LSA Students” page for an overview of possibilities.

I had a few questions on certain scholarships that I found on the Office of Financial Aid website. The "Academic Scholarships for Enrolled Undergraduates" as well as the "Academic Merit Scholarships" links state that I should contact my school (in this case LSA) for more information.

  • The scholarships listed on this site are the merit scholarships that LSA offers. Your application to the University served as your application for these scholarships.

I plan to enroll in the (PharmD./Business School/Engineering/Art/Music/etc).  If I receive an LSA scholarship and transfer to another University of Michigan school or college, will the scholarship only apply for the time I spend in LSA?

  • Yes. If you are an LSA student and you are offered and accept an LSA scholarship, it is only effective during the time you spend in LSA. Therefore, if you attend LSA for your first one or two years at U of M but transfer to another school or college, you will only receive scholarship money for the years you are in LSA.

I submitted my application last week to my school guidance counselor, who should be sending it (or has already sent it).  When will I be informed of my admission status?

  • Your question should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (OUA), who will be processing your application. Please click here to find answers to your questions: http://umich.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/umich.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php.  You could also either call (734-764-7433) or email the admissions office (by clicking on the "Ask a Question" tab at the above mentioned website). 

I'm a student at another college and I will be transferring to the University of Michigan. Do you offer any scholarships to transfer students?

As an international student applying to your college, would I be considered for any of the scholarships you offer and/or need-based aid?

  • In order to receive a student visa, international students are required to provide documentation that they can fund their education at the University of Michigan. Because it is expected that international students have sufficient funds to attend the University of Michigan, and because international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid, they are not considered for LSA merit scholarships.

Please feel free to contact the LSA Scholarship Office at (734) 615-0660, or via email at lsascholarship@umich.edu with any further questions.