Applying To Scholarships
When To Apply: Scholarship Timeline
To be considered for as many scholarships as possible, start your search at least one year in advance. Most scholarship deadlines will be between December and March for the upcoming year. You may consider inputting these dates into your calendar with a yearly repeat, as many of these dates remain the same every year. Start early and stay organized.
Searching for Scholarships
Step 1: What scholarships are you eligible for?
Step 2: Start Searching Scholarships
Step 3: Apply!
Writing the Winning Essay
When writing scholarship essays, tell your story and highlight attributes to your character, while being certain to answer the essay prompt/question. Depending on the prompt, you may want to include information on your family background, obstacles faced, community engagement, or your life purpose and passions. The Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors is available by virtual appointment and is a great resource to help you at any stage of your writing process.
Scholarship Support
Email the Scholarships Team! We are here to help you! If you would like to schedule an appointment for assistance with your scholarship search and to receive feedback on your general application, please email [email protected].
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form can be a straightforward and easy process.
Incoming Transfer Merit Scholarships 2026-2027
Consideration for scholarships are based on a complete admissions application submitted by March 1st for spring/summer admission, July 1st for fall admission and November 1st for winter admission (unless otherwise noted). Documents received after the deadline will not be used for scholarship consideration.
Northern Michigan Regional Options
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Scholarships open on 1/15 and close on 3/1
- AAUW TC Minnie Votruba Moore Scholarship
- AAUW TC Zimco LLC Scholarship
- Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund (If you would like to be put on the waiting list for the 2025 application, please fill out the request form in its entirety. When the applications are ready, you will get an email).
- Helen and Dale Cropsey Scholarship
- Michigan Medical Care Facilities Council Scholarship
- Traverse City Track Club Scholarship
- University Center Scholarship
Charlevoix County Community Foundation
Cherryland Electric Adult Scholarship
Leelanau County Prospectors Club Scholarship
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
TAHRA (Traverse Area Human Resource Association) Scholarship
- Young Women in Public Affairs
- Outstanding Woman Leader (information to be released early 2025)
- American Legion Girls State
- ATHENA Grand Traverse (information to be released early 2025)
- Ann Mapes Scholarship
- Amelia Earhart Scholarship
- Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
Additional Scholarships
GVSU's Scholarship Database (My Scholarships Database)
Physician Assistant Scholarships (scroll to the bottom for scholarships)
Grand Forum Scholarship for continuing education
Judy and Allen Whipps LEADS Integrative Studies Scholarship
Thomas A. & Cheryl L. '91,'98 Butcher Non-traditional Student Scholarship
Center for Women and Gender Equity Nontraditional Scholarship
PEO Women's Chapter Scholarship (Various options)
Grand Valley's myScholarships
Grand Valley offers a scholarship-matching tool to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify. Every student, each year, should log into the scholarships system! By just logging in, you may match to scholarships that do not require an application. Scholarships will be available to view and apply to starting November 1 each year.
Visit GVSU's myScholarships Page→