Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Grand Rapids Community Foundation
About This Scholarship
Grand Rapids Community Foundation runs one of Michigan's largest single-application scholarship programs: one online general application automatically matches students against hundreds of scholarship funds, distributing nearly $700,000 every year. The foundation has awarded more than 15,000 scholarships since 1945, making it a cornerstone of college funding in West Michigan.
Most funds require a connection to West Michigan — students who live there now or have in the past — and the program deliberately casts a wide net: high school seniors, current college students, graduate students, and nontraditional learners pursuing vocational, technical, or certification programs can all qualify for different funds within the pool.
The general application opens December 1 and closes March 1 at 11:59 p.m. each year. Applicants provide financial information, an education history, and a personal essay, and the foundation's bilingual program staff offer direct help by phone for students working through the process.
Eligibility
- Connection to West Michigan (current or past resident) for most funds
- Open to high school seniors, college students, graduate students, and nontraditional learners including vocational/technical students
- Financial information required; many funds weigh need
- One general application matches you to all funds you qualify for
How To Apply
- Complete the online general application at grfoundation.org between December 1 and March 1 (11:59 p.m. deadline)
- Provide financial information, education history, and a personal essay; you are automatically considered for every fund you match
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Grand Rapids to apply?
Most funds require a connection to West Michigan, which includes students who currently live in the region or have lived there in the past. Individual funds set their own specific criteria.
How many scholarships can one application cover?
The single general application automatically considers you for hundreds of scholarship awards totaling nearly $700,000 each year — you do not apply to each fund separately.