Scholarships | Grand Rapids Community College

We are committed to making your education at GRCC financially possible. Through the GRCC Foundation (GRCCF), we have hundreds of scholarship opportunities and over $1,000,000 in scholarship funds available to our students.

More than 300 scholarship opportunities

The 2025-26 GRCC Foundation scholarship application is now open! The priority deadline is March 15, 2025. Students can still apply after that date, but your best chance at a scholarship opportunity is to apply prior to that date.

Students that applied for the 2024-2025 school year will have their applications archived by the Scholarship Foundation. All students will be required to submit a new application for the upcoming school year.

The earlier you apply, the more possibilities will be available! In order to maximize your scholarship opportunities, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Apply for all scholarships with one easy application

We encourage students to inquire with departments for additional scholarship opportunities.

Scholarships for Future Students

Recently accepted students are encouraged to apply for GRCCF Scholarships. You will first need to create a GRCC username and password using your ID number from your acceptance letter. Once created, use this to log onto the GRCCF Application.

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

High school students and their families/caregivers looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is a new State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students in the Class of 2023 and beyond!

Participants will be able to gather the following information:

Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
Important action items for students and families
Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Please register for one session only, as space is limited.

Ottawa County Gap Grant

The Michigan Reconnect Program covers tuition for those 21 years or older without a college degree at the in-district resident rate. Additionally, the Ottawa County Gap Grant makes it possible for Ottawa County residents to attend GRCC tuition-free by covering the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition. Use must be eligible for the Michigan Reconnect to receive this grant.

Ottawa County Gap Grant Eligibility

Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Student Scholarships

DACA and undocumented students are not eligible to receive federal or State of Michigan financial aid, but scholarships are available. DACA and undocumented students are considered for GRCC Foundation Scholarships as described above and are NOT required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration for GRCC Foundation Scholarships. Please refer to our DACA page for additional resources and scholarship information.

External Scholarship Opportunities

Dematic STEM Scholarship

In celebration of National STEM Day, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is proud to announce the opening of applications for the Dematic STEM Scholarship. This opportunity is designed to support students who are passionate about pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This scholarship, sponsored by Dematic, a global leader in intelligent automation solutions, celebrates the intersection of education, innovation, and community.

Visit the scholarship and application requirements to complete your submission. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to advance your education and create a pathway to a career in STEM.

Jean McKee Resident Scholarship

Established in memory of a longtime Housing Commissioner and champion for equal educational opportunity, the Jean McKee Resident Scholarship is available exclusively to residents of GRHC affordable housing programs. Graduating high school seniors, current college or vocational school students, and adult residents seeking to begin or return to college or vocational school are all encouraged to apply.

The application and scholarship requirements.

Michelle Obama Award for Memoir

The Michelle Obama Award for Memoir grants one young, promising writer a college scholarship of $10,000 and the opportunity to learn more about the publishing industry.

Penguin Random House is awarding this college scholarship as part of their work to provide creative writing scholarships of up to $10,000 each to five U.S. high school seniors nationwide. In addition, honorable mentions receive “creativity kits,” which include a selection of Penguin Random House titles and writing resources.

If you are a current high school senior who attends a public high school in the United States and are planning to attend college – either a two-year or four-year institution – you are eligible to apply at michelleobamabooks.com/scholarship. Apply soon because only the first 1,000 submissions will be accepted!

MiLEAP Scholarship

MiLEAP has funding set aside for 300 GRCC students who meet the eligibility criteria and wish to complete a certificate program. Eligibility criteria includes: must be 18 years of age, authorized to work in the US, eligible to apply for FAFSA, registered with the Selective Service (males only), have a High School Diploma or equivalent, training in a certificate program and must be any of the following: dislocated worker, unemployed, underemployed (part-time), Adults on Public Assistance, underrepresented populations (race/ethnicity, disability, gender, age, national origin, LGBTQ+), Covid-19 essential worker, living in distressed rural or urban communities, or asset limited income constrained employee. Learn more about this opportunity and get in contact with someone today.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation – Kent County Residents

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards over a million dollars annually to Kent County students and has helped countless GRCC students pay for their educations. Applications are open December 1 and are due by March 1, 2024. Learn more and apply for scholarships today.

Grand Rapids Trans Foundation (GRTF) Academic Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to help transgender students with education-related expenses while pursuing a degree or certificate from an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational program with a satellite campus or permanent presence in Kent County. Individual scholarships may be up to $2500. Applications for 2024-2025 are due by May 1, 2024.

Apply online at the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation.

Fremont Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The Fremont Area Community Foundation has scholarships available for adult students who live in Newaygo County or a Newaygo County school district and are pursuing an undergraduate degree. These scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.

Learn more about adult student scholarships for Newaygo County residents.

Transfer Scholarship Opportunities

Click on a link below for scholarships for students transferring to the following schools.

Scholarship Search Tips

Never pay for a scholarship search.
Read the scholarship privacy policy. If you apply, who will have access to your data? Opt out of sharing your data when possible.
If a school lists a web resource, do not assume the school endorses the scholarship or source.
Use good judgment. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Check with fraternal organizations that your family belongs to, such as clubs, unions, employers, etc.
Do not provide contact methods that provide solicitors an opportunity to sell you products or services. Consider using an email created solely for the purpose of a scholarship search.