Study In The USA: Apply For Michigan State University Scholarships For International Students 2025/2026

About the Michigan State University Scholarships

Are you an international student dreaming of a world-class education in the United States? Michigan State University (MSU) is opening its doors to international students from around the globe through a wide range of generous scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. Whether you are a high-achieving student, passionate about intercultural exchange, or have ties to MSU alumni, there’s a scholarship opportunity waiting for you at MSU.

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

Additional criteria apply to some awards, such as invitation to the Honors College or submission of a supplemental application for the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship.

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

Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee a scholarship award, as all awards are competitive.

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
- All applicants are considered for the MSU Non-resident Scholarships and others during the admissions review process

Note: The deadline for the application of this scholarship is November 1, 2025 (Early Action Deadline)
To be considered for most of these scholarships, applicants must submit their general admission application by this date.

Ready to Begin Your Journey at MSU?

With a vibrant campus, cutting-edge research opportunities, and generous scholarships, Michigan State University offers international students a transformative academic experience in the heart of the United States.