🎓 University of Michigan Scholarships & Aid (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Michigan state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and need-based programs that make the biggest impact
- Competitive and departmental scholarships worth applying for
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: 18% (Class of 2028)
- Middle 50% ACT: 31–34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1350–1530
- Average GPA (HS): 3.9 (unweighted)
Source: University of Michigan Common Data Set 2024–25 and Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Michigan at a Glance
The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is a public R1 research flagship and Big Ten powerhouse. In-state families benefit from the Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for households earning ≤ $125K with ≤ $125K in assets.
Out-of-state students face higher sticker prices but have access to selective merit awards like the Stamps Scholarship and HAIL Program, which can reduce costs substantially for top academic and first-generation applicants.
FAQ
Does U-M offer automatic scholarships?
Not in the traditional sense — most awards are reviewed within admissions or by individual colleges.
What is the Go Blue Guarantee?
It provides four years of full in-state tuition for families earning ≤ $125,000 with ≤ $125,000 in assets.
Are there full-ride scholarships?
Yes — the Stamps Scholarship covers full cost of attendance plus enrichment funding for top students.
What’s the average net price?
About $19,005 after grants and scholarships (latest federal data, 2022–23).
Does Michigan offer reciprocity discounts?
No — Ann Arbor is not part of MSEP or other regional tuition programs.
University of Michigan Common Data Set 2024–2025 — Admissions, GPA, and Testing Ranges
U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions — Deadlines and Test-Optional Policy (2025 Cycle)
U-M Office of Financial Aid — Go Blue Guarantee Details and Income Thresholds (verified Oct 2025)
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — Average Net Price $19,005 (2022–23 data)
Stamps Scholars Program — Award Coverage and Enrichment Funding (2025 update)
💰 Cost of Attendance at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Lower Division, LSA) | $18,346 | $63,962 |
| Housing & Meals (on campus, Food & Housing) | $16,246 | $16,246 |
| Total Direct Costs | $34,592 | $80,208 |
Note: Books/supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees are not included above because families do not pay these charges directly to U-M. They vary by student and are budgeted only for financial-aid purposes. The university’s full published Cost of Attendance (direct + indirect) for 2025–2026 is approximately $38,548 for residents and $84,164 for nonresidents (Lower Division, LSA).
Quick FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Michigan residents who meet U-M’s residency guidelines.
Is there a program that covers in-state tuition?
Yes. The Go Blue Guarantee covers full in-state tuition for eligible Michigan residents with family income ≤ $125,000 and assets ≤ $125,000 (additional criteria apply).
Why don’t books/transportation appear in the table?
They’re indirect costs paid to third parties (or varying by student), not billed by the university, so they’re excluded from the “direct cost” table above.
University of Michigan Office of Budget & Planning — Estimated Cost of Attendance, Fall 2021–Fall 2025 (Ann Arbor Undergrad, 2025–26 Lower Division LSA): https://obp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/pubdata/student/est_coa_fa21-fa25.pdf
University of Michigan Record — Regents set 2025–26 tuition (nonresident undergraduate annual rate $63,962): https://record.umich.edu/articles/regents-approve-2025-26-budget-tuition-rates/
U-M Office of Financial Aid — Go Blue Guarantee (income/asset thresholds effective Fall 2025): https://finaid.umich.edu/types-of-aid/need-based-grants/
DataUSA (IPEDS/Scorecard feed) — U-M Ann Arbor Average Net Price (latest available ≈ $19k): https://datausa.io/profile/university/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor
MSEP overview — Michigan currently has no participating MSEP institutions: https://www.minnstate.edu/system/finance/budget/docs/minnesotastate23windiambmsep_final_revised_sdratesadded_7-29-22.doc
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Unlike many public universities, the University of Michigan does not offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA or ACT/SAT. Merit awards are limited, competitive, and typically require a separate process or departmental nomination.
| Scholarship / Program | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None — U-M does not offer automatic awards | — | No GPA/test-based guarantees | — | — | — | — |
Note: Many public universities publish GPA/test bands for automatic awards. When colleges don’t publish exact cutoffs, CRP lists approximate ranges based on official award descriptions, prior recipient data, and student profile statistics. For U-M, this does not apply because there are no automatic merit awards.
🤔 FAQs About Automatic Scholarships at U-M
Does U-M offer any guaranteed scholarships for GPA or test scores?
No. There are no guaranteed/automatic merit scholarships at U-M based on GPA or ACT/SAT.
If my student has a 4.0 and a 34 ACT, will they automatically get anything?
No. Even top-stat applicants are not guaranteed merit at U-M. Competitive awards are limited and often tied to departments or special programs.
Will U-M reduce out-of-state tuition based on academic performance?
No. U-M does not offer automatic out-of-state tuition waivers.
What should families do instead if they need help covering costs?
File both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile on time, then look for departmental/college-level scholarships, competitive university awards, and external scholarships. Strong fit with a program, leadership, and impact often matter more than raw scores.
https://finaid.umich.edu/types-aid/scholarships/undergraduate
https://scholarships.engin.umich.edu/undergraduate/new-students/
https://lsa.umich.edu/scholarships/FAQ.html
https://finaid.umich.edu/apply-aid/new-undergraduates/non-residents
https://finaid.umich.edu/apply-aid/new-undergraduates
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/uofm-merit-scholarships/1901376
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/automatic-out-of-state-tuition-waivers/1449241
https://umflint.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/first-year-merit-scholarship/
https://umdearborn.edu/admissions-aid/paying-college/first-year-state-scholarships
https://umdearborn.edu/go-blue-guarantee
Superscores Accepted: The University of Michigan does superscore both the ACT and SAT for admissions. For competitive scholarships such as Stamps or Shipman, committees may review full testing history — a superscore alone isn’t always decisive.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Most of U-M’s merit scholarships are competitive and limited—often by invitation or through individual colleges. Awards typically favor academic excellence, leadership, and program alignment.
| Scholarship / Program | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamps Scholarship | Full cost of attendance + enrichment funds | Exceptional academics, leadership, and community impact | By invitation only | Yes (4 years) | ~Top 1–2% of admits, often national-caliber students | Invitation; Early Action (Nov 1) helps |
| Shipman Scholarship | Full tuition + stipend | Top Michigan residents, strong academics, leadership, often STEM | By invitation only | Yes (4 years) | High-achieving in-state applicants | Invitation; Early Action recommended |
| LSA Scholarships | $2,500–$10,000 (varies) | Admitted to LSA; academic strength, strong essays, sometimes need-based | Yes (varies by fund) | Often | Admits aligning with LSA academic priorities | Varies by fund; check portal |
| Ross BBA Merit Awards | Varies (up to full tuition) | Admitted Ross students; strong GPA, leadership, community impact | No (automatic upon admission) | Often | Top BBA admits with leadership experience | Aligned with Ross admission dates |
| Engineering Merit Scholarships | $2,000–$20,000 | Declared engineering majors; top GPA/test scores; departmental review | Some require separate apps | Often | Engineering admits with outstanding academic records | Varies by department; check portal |
🤔 FAQs About Competitive Scholarships at U-M
How do you get invited to Stamps or Shipman?
These awards are invitation-only. U-M identifies top applicants based on academics, essays, leadership, and major alignment. There’s no separate request form — applying Early Action ensures you’re in the review window.
Does Early Action improve chances?
Yes. Many scholarship committees review Early Action applicants first. Submitting by November 1 is essential for consideration.
Are these mainly for in-state students?
Not exclusively. In-state students often have an advantage for Shipman, but out-of-state students can win national-level awards like Stamps—it’s just rare and extremely competitive.
Does visiting campus or showing “interest” help?
No. The University of Michigan does not consider demonstrated interest (like visits or emails) in admissions or scholarship decisions. Focus on academic and personal fit instead.
Are these realistic for middle-income families?
They’re a long shot for most families, but not impossible. Treat competitive merit as a potential bonus — not a funding plan. File both FAFSA and CSS Profile for the best mix of aid options.
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/does-umich-superscore-act/3596771
http://stamps.ezitsolutions.net/portfolios/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-mi/
https://www.collegeadvisor.com/merit-based-scholarships/university-of-michigan-scholarships/
https://www.kines.umich.edu/sites/default/files/stamps_scholarship_info.pdf
https://shipmansociety.wordpress.com/about-us/
https://lsa.umich.edu/urop/prospective-students/summer-programs/stamps-scholars-award-program-.html
https://stamps.umich.edu/life-at-stamps/financial-aid-and-scholarships
https://stamps.umich.edu/undergraduate-admissions/families
https://www.reddit.com/r/uofm/comments/r3ns12/does_michigan_superscore/
https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/University-of-Michigan-admission-requirements
https://admissions.umich.edu
Heads up: Most of these scholarships won’t appear in your kid’s main U-M portal. They often require a separate application, specific background (like first-gen or alumni ties), or some proactive searching. If you don’t go looking, you might miss them.
🎓 LSA Honors at the University of Michigan
U-M doesn’t run a single university-wide Honors College. Instead, the flagship option is the LSA Honors Program for students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Admission is not automatic: many students are invited based on their U-M application; others may self-nominate with extra essays after applying to U-M.
Who gets in? Academic standouts with rigorous coursework and strong writing. Test scores aren’t required, but many Honors admits present 34+ ACT / 1500+ SAT (when submitted).
Honors perks include smaller, discussion-based classes, priority registration, early access to research, and optional Honors housing. Honors is an academic experience first (not a discount plan); it doesn’t unlock new automatic scholarships, but it can connect students to research stipends, faculty projects, and selective opportunities later on.
| Program / Tier | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSA Honors Program | None (academic program, not a scholarship) | Admitted to LSA; invited or self-nominated with essays; strong academics/writing | Yes — by invitation or self-nomination | N/A (continued good standing required) | High-achieving LSA admits who want smaller classes, research, and rigor |
🤔 FAQs About LSA Honors
Is there a university-wide Honors College?
No. Honors at Michigan is primarily through the LSA Honors Program for students in the College of LSA.
How do you get considered?
Some applicants are invited to apply to Honors based on their U-M application. Others can self-nominate by submitting Honors essays after applying to U-M.
What are the key dates?
For Early Action applicants, plan on an early-February Honors timeline for materials. Always verify the current cycle’s dates in the U-M portal.
Can you join Honors after freshman year?
Often yes — strong first-year students may apply to join as sophomores through Honors advising.
Does Honors help with scholarships?
Honors itself doesn’t provide automatic merit awards. However, being in Honors can lead to research placements, faculty-linked opportunities, and occasional stipends tied to projects or departments.
Is Honors worth it if my student is already stretched?
It depends on fit. Students who enjoy challenge, want priority registration, and seek research thrive in Honors. If burnout is a concern, the standard LSA track is perfectly fine — and costs the same.
https://lsa.umich.edu/honors
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/honors-program
https://lsa.umich.edu/honors/about-us.html
https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/applytohonors/deadlines-requirements/
https://lsa.umich.edu/honors/faculty-staff/honors-recommendations.html
https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/academics/lsa-requirements/majors/honors-majors.html
https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/applytohonors/apply-here/
https://lsa.umich.edu/honors/prospective-students.html
https://lsa.umich.edu/honors/faq.html
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/confused-about-honors/165rs/1654554
🎯 What the University of Michigan Is Known For
The University of Michigan is a public R1 Research University and one of the most prestigious public institutions in the country—often compared to elite privates for its academic rigor, faculty research, and career outcomes. With world-class programs in business, engineering, medicine, law, and the arts, Michigan combines powerhouse research with Midwestern community and school spirit.
Ranked among the Top 5 undergraduate business schools in the U.S. (U.S. News 2025), Ross is known for its action-based learning, high placement rates, and global alumni network. Specialized strengths include accounting, management, marketing, and operations.
- College of Engineering — Ranked #6 among public engineering schools (U.S. News 2025), with elite programs in mechanical, industrial, aerospace, and computer engineering.
- School of Information — A national leader in human-computer interaction, data science, and digital archives, consistently ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
- School of Music, Theatre & Dance — One of the top-performing arts programs in the U.S., known for conservatory-level training within a major research university.
- Law School — Ranked Top 10 nationally (U.S. News 2025) and renowned for constitutional law, international law, and public interest pathways.
- School of Public Health — Consistently ranked in the Top 5 nationally, recognized for research in epidemiology, health policy, and biostatistics.