University of Michigan–Flint Scholarships (2025–2026) | Cost, Merit & Hidden Awards

University of Michigan–Flint Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic and competitive scholarship programs
  • Out-of-state tuition discounts and regional options
  • Honors Program and key application deadlines

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~79%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 18–25
  • Middle 50% SAT: 930–1190
  • Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.2–3.8

Source: University of Michigan–Flint Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

University of Michigan–Flint at a Glance

🏆 Chancellor’s Scholarship: Full tuition (competitive) — see Flagship (Competitive) for details.
Average Net Price
$12,280/year
What families actually paid on average
Automatic Merit (All Students)
$1,000–$10,000/year (automatic); limited full in-state awards
GPA-based; test scores (if submitted) can increase offers
Typical Qualifiers
GPA considered; 2.7+ eligible for First-Year Opportunity
Top tiers via invitation/competition (True Blue Merit)
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Scores optional; may boost merit if submitted
Key Deadlines
True Blue (full in-state): apply by Dec 1 (invite-only) • Automatic merit at admission • FAFSA: ASAP
Students admitted after Mar 1 may not be eligible for True Blue
Honors Program
Honors Program at UM–Flint
Perks: small classes, research support, and scholarships
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
True Blue Merit (full in-state) & Go Blue Guarantee (free in-state tuition)
GBG: income/assets ≤$125k + GPA (3.5 for incoming); see aid page
Residency & Waivers
Go Blue Guarantee (in-state)
Free tuition for MI residents meeting income/asset + GPA criteria
Verified via UM–Flint scholarship & financial aid pages (First-Year Merit, Go Blue Guarantee), Admissions (test-optional), Common Data Set, and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Last verified: October 19, 2025

The University of Michigan–Flint provides an affordable pathway into the U-M system, offering automatic merit up to $10,000 per year and competitive full in-state tuition awards. Eligible Michigan residents can also receive free in-state tuition through the Go Blue Guarantee.

Test-optional admissions, targeted merit scholarships, and an active Honors Program make UM–Flint a practical choice for students seeking quality and value.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes — UM–Flint is test-optional; submitting ACT/SAT can increase merit consideration.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 18–25; SAT: 930–1190 (for students who submitted scores).

What’s the average net price? About $12,280/year after aid (College Scorecard). See our Net Price & SAI guide.

Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? UM–Flint primarily serves Michigan students. The Go Blue Guarantee provides free in-state tuition for qualifying residents (income/assets ≤$125k and GPA eligibility).

Sources:
https://www.umflint.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/first-year-merit-scholarship/
https://www.umflint.edu/finaid/go-blue-guarantee/
https://www.umflint.edu/admissions/first-year-students/
https://www.umflint.edu/ia/campus-statistics/common-data-set/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?171146-University-of-Michigan-Flint=

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Michigan–Flint

Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Annual) $15,622 $27,676
Housing & Meals (Estimated) $12,594 $12,594
Total (before aid) $28,216 $40,270

Note: Books & supplies, transportation, and personal expenses are indirect costs that vary by student and are not paid directly to UM–Flint, so they are excluded from the table totals. Use UM–Flint’s Net Price Calculator and your aid offer to estimate these items for your situation.

Average Net Price: Federal College Scorecard reports an average of $12,280 per year (most recent data) after grants and scholarships (no loans included).

Special Tuition Programs:

  • Go Blue Guarantee: Michigan residents with family income ≤$125,000 and assets ≤$125,000 may receive full in-state tuition if they meet GPA requirements (3.5 for incoming first-years; 3.0 for continuing students). FAFSA required (priority by Mar 1).
  • Detroit Promise: “Last-dollar” program that covers remaining in-state tuition and mandatory fees after Pell, state, and other scholarships.
  • Flint Promise: “Last-dollar” program that covers remaining tuition, books, and mandatory fees after other aid for eligible Flint graduates.

Cost & Special Aid FAQs

Who qualifies for the Go Blue Guarantee?
Michigan residents with household income up to $125,000 and assets up to $125,000 who file the FAFSA and meet GPA requirements (3.5 for first-year admits; 3.0 for continuing students).

How much do Promise programs actually cover?
Both Detroit Promise and Flint Promise are last-dollar scholarships that cover the remaining tuition (and, for Flint Promise, books and mandatory fees) after Pell Grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships are applied.

Do I have to apply separately?
The Go Blue Guarantee is automatic once you file the FAFSA and are admitted. Promise programs require a separate opt-in/verification process through their program offices.

Sources:
https://news.umflint.edu/2025/06/12/um-flints-2025-26-budget-increases-financial-aid-by-2m/
https://record.umich.edu/articles/um-flint-budget-increases-financial-aid-builds-on-growth/
https://www.umflint.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-fees/undergraduate-lower-division/
https://www.umflint.edu/housing/suite-layouts-dimensions/
https://www.umflint.edu/finaid/go-blue-guarantee/
https://www.umflint.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/detroit-promise-scholarship/
https://www.umflint.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/flint-promise-scholarship/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?171146-University-of-Michigan-Flint=

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Maize & Blue Merit Scholarship $1,000–$10,000/yr (4 years) First-year admits; GPA + optional SAT/ACT; award level based on profile No Yes – 2.75 GPA + 12–18 credits/term $8k–$10k tiers often go to ~3.7+ GPA and 1260+ SAT/27+ ACT*; $3k–$5k: ~3.3–3.6 or mid-1100s SAT* Rolling, apply by Mar 1 for max consideration
True Blue Merit Scholarship Full in-state tuition & fees High-achieving admits by Mar 1; limited capacity No Yes – 3.0 GPA + 12–18 credits/term Typically 3.7+ GPA and 1260+ SAT / 27+ ACT*; strongest profiles receive invitations Mar 1 (admission and docs)
First Year Opportunity Scholarship $1,000/yr (GPA 2.7–3.69)
$3,000/yr (GPA 3.7+)
Test-optional admits; GPA-only No Yes – SAP + full-time Students opting out of scores; awards scaled to GPA Rolling

*Estimated GPA/test bands based on UM-Flint guidance and prior award trends; cutoffs can change with funding/applicant pool.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Do I need to apply separately for these awards?
No. All admitted first-year students are automatically considered.

Are test scores required?
No. Scholarships are GPA-based first. Submitting SAT/ACT scores can only help; test-optional students still qualify through the First Year Opportunity Scholarship.

Can these awards stack with other aid?
They can usually be combined with need-based aid and outside scholarships, but full tuition awards (like True Blue) may cap stacking at tuition/fees. Always confirm with Financial Aid.

Sources:
https://www.umflint.edu/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships/

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

In addition to automatic awards, UM–Flint invites top freshmen to compete for a small number of highly selective scholarships. These scholarships are limited in number, require early applications, and usually cover full tuition. They are open to the general first-year student body—not tied to honors or specific majors.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition Full in-state tuition & fees By invitation; typically 3.7+ GPA and 1260+ SAT / 27+ ACT* No (invited after applying by Dec 1) Yes – maintain GPA & full-time enrollment High-achieving students with strong academics, leadership, and early application (competition held in Feb) Apply by Dec 1; competition in Feb
Chancellor’s Scholars Program (Genesee County) Up to full tuition & fees Graduating seniors from Genesee County with top academic and leadership records Yes – application through UM–Flint scholarship portal Yes – must maintain GPA and SAP Local students with 3.7+ GPA, leadership roles, and community service experience March 1

*Estimated GPA/test bands based on published UM–Flint guidance; actual thresholds vary each year depending on applicant pool and funding.

Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Why are these called “competitive”?
They’re limited in number, awarded to top applicants only, and often require participation in a special competition or a separate application.

When should students apply?
Complete UM–Flint admission application by December 1 for eligibility for invitation-only full-tuition competitions.

Can competitive scholarships be stacked with other aid?
Typically, full-tuition awards replace other tuition-specific scholarships but may stack with outside/private scholarships up to total cost of attendance.

Do these awards require essays or interviews?
Yes. The full-tuition competition includes an interview process. The Chancellor’s Scholars Program usually requires an application essay and recommendation letters.

Sources:
https://www.umflint.edu/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships/

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the headline merit awards, UM–Flint has several lesser-known programs that can make a big difference for families. These include place-based tuition guarantees, last-dollar promise programs, research stipends, housing perks, and federal ROTC scholarships.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Go Blue Guarantee Full in-state tuition & fees Michigan residents, household income ≤ $125k & assets ≤ $125k; GPA 3.5 (freshmen) or 3.0 (continuing) No – FAFSA required Yes – up to 8 semesters Middle-income MI families, FAFSA, good standing Mar 1 (priority)
Detroit Promise Covers remaining tuition after aid Detroit high school grad; FAFSA Yes – Detroit Promise Yes – SAP Detroit residents, full-time, FAFSA early Feb 1
Flint Promise Covers remaining tuition after aid Qualifying Flint high school grad; FAFSA Yes – Flint Promise Yes – SAP Flint students, full-time, GPA progress Feb 1
Leadership & Honors Community Housing Scholarship Covers 4-person double room (1 year) Students in Leadership & Honors housing Yes – housing program One year; may reapply Active participants in good standing May 1
AFROTC Scholarships Up to 100% tuition & fees + stipend AFROTC Det. 390 student; academic/fitness Yes – AFROTC Yes – good standing STEM/leadership students, military-bound Dec 31
UROP (Undergrad Research) Up to $1,000 or $15/hr Undergrad with faculty mentor Yes – UROP app By term/project Students committed to research or grad study Rolling
Greater Flint Community Leadership Scholarship Varies (partial tuition) Genesee County leadership; GPA/service Yes – UM-Flint portal Yes – SAP Local leaders in clubs, civic roles March 1
First-Gen Student Scholarships (Goldberg) $500–$3,000+ First-gen undergrad, FAFSA, need Yes – UM-Flint portal Yes – academic progress First-gen students w/need, strong academics March 1
Mary Jo Sekelsky LGBTQ+ Grant Up to several thousand (emergency grant) Active in Center for Gender & Sexuality; LGBTQ+ students in hardship Yes – CGS As needed LGBTQ+ students in financial crisis w/ campus involvement Rolling

Hidden Gem FAQs

What’s the difference between Promise programs and Go Blue?
Promise programs are “last-dollar” and fill in tuition gaps after other aid. Go Blue covers in-state tuition up front for qualifying families.

Do ROTC scholarships cover more than tuition?
Yes. AFROTC scholarships often include books and a living stipend.

Can research stipends reduce tuition?
No, UROP funds are paid as earnings, but help with living/academic costs.

Are these awards stackable?
Generally yes, but Promise programs and ROTC have stacking limits at tuition/fees.

Sources:
https://www.umflint.edu/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships/
https://www.umflint.edu/legacy-scholars/
https://www.umflint.edu/lgbtq/

🎖️ Honors College

The University of Michigan–Flint Honors Program is designed for motivated students who want more than just a traditional degree. It offers small, discussion-based courses, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and the chance to dive deep into a thesis or creative project. For many first-gen families, this program can be a way for students to stand out without leaving the supportive environment of a regional campus.

What a Typical UM–Flint Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA of 3.7+*, strong rigor in coursework (AP, IB, dual enrollment), and leadership or service experience. Many successful applicants also score around 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT* when submitting test scores.

*Estimated bands based on program guidance and full-tuition competition profiles; actual thresholds vary by year.

Perks that Matter:

  • Priority course registration and access to small, seminar-style classes
  • Dedicated Honors housing community with scholarship support
  • Faculty-mentored thesis or capstone project
  • Funding for research, travel, and study abroad experiences

Honors Program FAQs

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must submit a separate application to the Honors Program and are reviewed competitively.

Does the Honors Program add time to a degree?
Not usually. With good planning, most students graduate on time, though the thesis requirement can add workload in the junior/senior years.

When should students apply?
Incoming freshmen should apply soon after admission—ideally by early spring—to maximize chances of admission and scholarship consideration.

Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors?
While there are no separate full-ride Honors awards, students in the Leadership & Honors housing community may receive a housing scholarship that offsets room costs.

Sources:
https://www.umflint.edu/honors/
https://www.umflint.edu/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships/

⭐ College Specialty

UM–Flint is part of the University of Michigan system, giving students access to one of the most respected brands in higher education while still enjoying a smaller, close-knit campus. It isn’t an R1 research powerhouse like Ann Arbor, but UM–Flint has carved out its own statewide reputation for professional programs, hands-on learning, and strong community ties—especially in healthcare and business.

🏅 Nursing (BSN): UM–Flint’s undergraduate nursing program is regularly ranked among the top nursing schools in Michigan and has earned recognition in national U.S. News & World Report rankings for its undergraduate nursing offerings. This program is a cornerstone of the campus and a major draw for health-focused students statewide.

  • Business (School of Management): Ranked among the Top 25 Affordable Entrepreneurship Programs nationally and Top 15 Online International Business Programs (UniversityHQ, 2024).
  • Education: Recognized across Michigan for preparing teachers and principals, with strong placement in local school districts and partnerships throughout Genesee County.
  • Engineering & Technology (College of Innovation & Technology): Home to ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering and cutting-edge labs focused on automotive, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Public Health: Statewide reputation for community-based health programs, including collaborations with hospitals and nonprofits in Flint and surrounding counties.

Final Thoughts

For many families, UM–Flint offers a unique balance: the power of the Michigan name paired with the affordability of a regional campus. Between automatic merit scholarships, full-tuition opportunities, and place-based programs like the Go Blue Guarantee and Flint Promise, most students won’t pay the “sticker price.” Add in strong programs in nursing, business, and education, and this campus can be a smart fit—especially for first-gen families looking for value and opportunity close to home.

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