Michigan State University Scholarships for International Students 2025/2026 (Awards Up to $25,000 Per Year)

September 17, 2025

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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.