Merit Scholarships

The following are external, non-University scholarship opportunities that may be of interest to University/College students. Inclusion of an external scholarship opportunity is intended only as a resource for students and does not express or imply any University involvement with, or endorsement of, the external program.

The Bell Scholarship is a scholarship intended for first-year U-M students who show exceptional academic talent, reside in an eligible geographic area, and are pursuing an undergraduate, science-related degree in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts or in the College of Engineering.

Bell Scholars receive a renewable scholarship for four years of undergraduate study. Annual renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. In-state students are awarded $10,000 per year. Out-of-state students are awarded $20,000 per year.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must meet full eligibility criteria and complete a separate application on the Bell Scholarship website. The application period will open January 1 for the 2024-25 academic year.

The Alvin M. and Arvella D. Bentley Foundation established the Bentley Scholarship Program in 1983 to recognize and encourage public service in students from the state of Michigan.

The Bentley Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to incoming LSA students who are Michigan residents, demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership during high school, and are interested in a career in public service. Each year, 6–8 incoming LSA students are invited to campus to interview to receive this award. These students are selected from the pool of Four-Year Renewable Scholarships applicants. Of these candidates, 2 recipients are selected to receive the Bentley Scholarship. 

Bentley Scholarship recipients receive a renewable scholarship for four consecutive years of undergraduate study in the amount of $15,000 per year. 

To be considered for the Bentley Scholarship, early action admitted LSA students must complete the Four-Year Renewable Scholarship application. Only students who are nominated for this award will be notified. Students who are not selected for this award will still be considered for all other Four-Year Renewable Scholarships they are qualified for.

In addition to the scholarships listed above, there are 35+ additional merit scholarship opportunities through LSA Scholarships, and most of these do not require a student to be admitted by early action. We recommend that all incoming LSA students complete the Four-Year Renewable Scholarship application as soon as they are admitted. By doing so, they will be considered for all scholarships that are available. We award all Four-Year scholarships on a rolling basis and merit scholarships are limited, so the sooner your application is received, the more opportunities you will be considered for.

Please note that incoming students must be admitted in order to apply for LSA Scholarships. Incoming LSA students who are only interested in merit scholarships are not required to complete a FAFSA or CSS profile.