Michigan State University Scholarships for International Students 2025/2026 (Awards Up to $25,000 Per Year)
Michigan State University Scholarships for International Students 2025/2026 (Awards Up to $25,000 Per Year).
Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, Michigan, is one of the top public research universities in the United States.
MSU is committed to making its world-class education more accessible to international students through a diverse portfolio of merit-based and special-purpose scholarships.
MSU offers several scholarship opportunities to international students entering as first-year undergraduates.
These scholarships are awarded competitively, and while many require no separate application, some do require additional materials or steps (such as the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship).
Eligible Fields
- All undergraduate majors and programs at MSU are eligible.
- From Engineering to Business, Arts to Agriculture, international students can pursue any field of study supported by the scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Michigan State University scholarships, applicants must:
- Be an incoming international student (non-U.S. residency status)
- Apply as a first-year undergraduate student
- Complete and submit an admission application by the early action deadline (November 1)
- Meet academic performance standards and, in some cases, demonstrate financial need or cultural engagement
- For specific scholarships (like Red Cedar), students may need to have a parent or grandparent who is an MSU alum
Selection Criteria
Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of factors:
- Academic excellence: including GPA, coursework rigor, and class rank
- Commitment to intercultural exchange: especially for the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
- Invitation to Honors College: eligibility for Honors College Excellence Scholarships
- MSU Alumni Relationship: eligibility for the Red Cedar Scholarship
Eligible Countries
- Students from all countries worldwide are encouraged to apply.
- There are no nationality restrictions on the core MSU scholarships.
Benefits of the Michigan State University Scholarships
MSU offers a variety of scholarships with varying award amounts. Here are some key opportunities:
MSU Non-resident Merit Scholarships
- Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year
- Automatically considered with the general application
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
- Offers $25,000 per year
- Renewable for up to 8 semesters (4 years)
- For students who demonstrate leadership in bridging cultural differences
- Requires a separate, supplemental application
Red Cedar Scholarship
- Provides $1,250 per year
- For dependents or grandchildren of MSU alumni
Honors College Excellence Scholarship
- Valued at $13,000 annually for 8 semesters
- Offered to select Honors College invitees
Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship
- Offers $3,000 or $5,000, depending on the program’s duration
- Supports international travel for enrolled students
Professorial Assistantships
- Includes a $3,500 annual stipend
- Offered to a select group of first-year Honors College invitees for research experience
How to Apply
Apply to MSU for Undergraduate Admission
- Complete the common application or MSU application by November 1, 2025
- No separate scholarship application required for most scholarships
#YouAreWelcomeHere Applicants
- Submit the supplemental application available on MSU’s website from August 1 to early February each year
- Prepare an essay or video demonstrating your commitment to promoting intercultural understanding
- Automatically Considered Scholarships
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
- All applicants are considered for the MSU Non-resident Scholarships and others during the admissions review process
- Deadline for the application of this scholarship is November 1, 2025 (Early Action Deadline)
- Applying by the Nov. 1 early action deadline guarantees a decision by January 15.
- Only a limited number of students who are considered will receive offers for any of the following scholarships.
- Meeting the criteria for an award does not guarantee that an offer will be made.
- To be considered for most of these scholarships, applicants must submit their general admission application by this date.
