The RC offers scholarship awards for current RC Students pursuing: Study Away, Internships, Projects, Semester in Detroit and other experiences. Learn more and apply today!
Each year, the RC awards scholarships to support students pursuing study abroad, internships, language immersion, research, and other academic experiences. Since 2008, RC students have received over $250,000 in funding.
Overview
- Award Range: $150 - $2,500
- Eligibility: Current Residential College students (or LSA students with declared RC Major/Minor)
- Need-based Awards: Some scholarships require FAFSA submission (see below).
- Application Materials: Online form, one essay response, budget request.
- Deadline: Rolling review. Apply 6-8 weeks before your program begins.
Note: 2026 Spring/Summer requests due by April 8, 2026.
Application Process
- Complete the required prereading (found below)
- Prepare your essay response (500–750 words) by answering one of three essay prompts. Your response will determine your eligibility across multiple scholarships.
- Complete the online application form (include essay, budget, FAFSA info if applicable, recommender details if required). Note: Traveling outside the US? Your travel must be registered with CGIS / LSA Travel prior to any funding.
- Submit materials 6-8 weeks before your program begins (allow additional time if submitting during semester break).
FAQs
I'm not accepted to my program yet, can I still apply for funding?
Do I need a FAFSA to be eligible for RC funding?
Can I travel anywhere? What about travel restrictions?
I'm confused about the application. Who can I talk to?
Learn More about the RC Scholarship Funds
You will complete one single application, but the funding comes from seven different endowed funds. Each fund has its own donor intent, description, and requirements.
You do not need to choose a specific fund. The RC Scholarship Committee will review your essay, budget, and application details to determine which fund(s) are the best fit.
- Brown Scholarship for Students in the World (need-based)
- Honeli Award for Student Engagement
- Jean McGuire Language Study Award
- Residential College Scholarship Award
- Rose Silverman Award for Engaged Learning in the RC
- Rose Silverman International Educational Scholarship (need-based)
- William S. Blackford Scholarship (need-based)
The Brown Scholarship is a need-based fund that supports off-campus experiences designed to enrich a student’s education. Whether domestically or abroad, the scholarship helps students engage in activities that enhance their academic and personal development.
Student-designed projects abroad examples include research in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London; a student-designed internship with the Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma in Heidelberg; and research for an Honors Thesis with Sepp Holzer, a leader in permaculture design.
Details
- FAFSA Required: Yes
- International Travel Required: No
- Supported Activities: Off-campus experiences that enhance the student’s University experience, either domestically or abroad.
The Honeli Award encourages students to engage with communities through volunteer work, internships, and outreach programs. It aims to foster a sense of civic responsibility and global citizenship by supporting students in activities that have a positive impact on communities. Recipients are encouraged to share a final project or impact statement such as a work of art, thesis, or other material at the conclusion of their project or experience.
Details
- FAFSA Required: No
- International Travel Required: No
- Supported Activities: Volunteer work, internships, alternative study programs, and community outreach activities in Detroit, across the US, and globally.
This award supports students pursuing language studies abroad. It encourages students to immerse themselves in another culture while improving their language skills, an experience deemed invaluable for personal and academic growth.
Details
- FAFSA Required: No
- International Travel Required: Yes
- Supported Activities: Language study abroad; academic or experiential.
This scholarship offers financial support to students based on academic or other significant achievements. It is a general scholarship fund intended to ease the financial burden of education for deserving students in the Residential College.
Details
- FAFSA Required: No
- International Travel Required: No
- Supported Activities: Grants or payments to support education based on academic or other achievements.
This scholarship supports Residential College students who need financial assistance to pursue international academic experiences. It aims to help students expand their global perspectives and apply their learning in an international setting.
Details
- FAFSA Required: Yes
- International Travel Required: Yes
- Supported Activities: Off-campus international academic travel experiences for students with financial need.
This award is designated for students who propose the most compelling international project related to their academic studies. The project should involve meaningful engagement with the world, allowing the student to apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts.
Details
- FAFSA Required: No
- International Travel Required: Yes
- Supported Activities: International travel for a compelling project related to the student’s academic program (e.g., internship, senior project, thesis).
The Blackford Scholarship provides need-based support for internships, with a special focus on students majoring in Political Science or Social Theory. Preference is given to those who are involved with the Michigan Daily, emphasizing the importance of combining academic learning with practical experience.
Details
- FAFSA Required: Yes
- International Travel Required: No
- Supported Activities: Internships for students, with a preference for Political Science or Social Theory majors, especially those affiliated with the Michigan Daily.
