Scholarships 

Make all those high school accomplishments count. Check out our scholarship offerings for incoming freshmen at Spring Arbor University. The list below includes scholarships through Spring Arbor University, as well as the federal government and state government. To learn more about the financial aid offered at the state level, visit the Michigan student financial aid website. Learn about federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education by visiting www.studentaid.ed.gov.

SAU Scholarships

National Merit Scholarship Finalist/Semifinalist

• Eligibility: National Merit Scholarship Finalist/Semifinalilst; must enter SAU same year as high school graduation

• Value: 60 percent of standard full-time tuition (students must be full-time and overload credits are not covered)

• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (as measured at the end of an academic year)

• Applying: Submit copy of National Merit status (finalist certificate or semifinalist certificate)

Trustee Scholarship

• Eligibility: Freshmen - 13 points on Academic Scholarship Table and composite ACT of 29 or SAT of 1280 (reading and math)
• Value: $40,000-$48,000 ($10,000-$12,000 per year); non-athletes* receive highest amount
• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (as measured at the end of an academic year)
• Applying: No application required

Presidential Scholarship

• Eligibility: Freshmen - 11-12 points on Academic Scholarship Table
• Value: $32,000-$40,000 ($8,000-$10,000 per year); non-athletes* receive highest amount
• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 (as measured at the end of an academic year)
• Applying: No application required

E.P. Hart Honors Program Scholarship

• Eligibility: Must be a Presidential or Trustee Scholar and accepted into the E.P. Hart Honors Program. Must also be in your second year at SAU
• Value: $500
• Applying: Complete the E.P. Hart Honors Program Scholarship Application
• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 (as measured at the end of an academic year)
• Applying: No application required

Provost Scholarship

• Eligibility: Freshmen - 5-10 points on Academic Scholarship Table
• Value: $24,000-30,000 ($6,000-$7,500 per year); non-athletes* receive highest amount 
• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (as measured at the end of an academic year)
• Applying: No application required

*For the Trustee, Presidential and Provost Scholarships, intercollegiate athletes will receive the lower amount in recognition of their possible eligibility for athletic scholarships.

Faculty Scholarship

• Eligibility: Freshmen: 1-4 points on Academic Scholarship Table
• Value: $16,000 ($4,000 per year)
• Renewal policy: Renewed annually with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 (as measured at the end of an academic year)
• Applying: No application required

(Check out our Academic Scholarship Estimator for more.)

** The amount of the academic scholarship is based on the scholarship amount at the time of your admission.

Multicultural Leadership Scholarship

• Eligibility: Must be an American minority new student with a demonstrated interest in the advancement of minorities in American society
• Value: $12,000 ($3,000 per year) (one awarded per year)
• Applying: Must be admitted to SAU and complete the MLS application and essay by Feb. 15 (Click here for the application form)
• Renewal policy: Renewable; maintain involvement in the Multicultural Student Organization

Art Scholarships

• Eligibility: New freshman art major
• Value: Varies
• Applying: Submit portfolio and application; contact SAU Art Department
• Renewal policy: Renewable

Music Scholarships

• Eligibility: Music major, minor or participant in an SAU musical ensemble
• Value: Varies
• Applying: Auditions are available only on specified dates. Contact the Music Department, to schedule an audition. For dates and audition requirements, please click here. 
• Renewal policy: Renewable

Endowed and Annually Funded Scholarships/Grants

Endowed funds primarily serve as additional support for students who are currently enrolled on the main campus of SAU

• Eligibility: Each scholarship has specific requirements
• Value: Varies, depending on funding
• Applying: Submit SAU Supplemental Aid Application by Feb. 15
• Renewal policy: Renewable with annual application

Private Donors and Lenders

Financial aid from private parties usually takes the form of scholarships and grants that businesses, organizations or donors established to honor local students. Be it the Rotary or Lions Club, an area bank or hospital, or a wealthy citizen, you can be eligible for these by entering a certain field of study, attending a certain college or university, participating in certain extracurricular activities or graduating with a certain GPA. Loans might come from a bank or relative.

State Scholarship

Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)

• Eligibility: Michigan resident; ACT combined sub-scores of 90 or higher and demonstrate need; MCS replaces MTG
• Value: $1,610 maximum
• Applying: File FAFSA by Michigan deadline
• Renewal policy: Submit FAFSA annually by Michigan deadline