Admitted to SVSU? To ensure you receive the optimal financial aid package, complete your 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We've compiled some helpful tips and recommendations to assist you in the successful submission of your FAFSA.

Academic Scholarships

The following scholarships are available to students based on academic merit. Students who satisfy the respective criteria will be considered upon admission to the University. The awarding of these scholarships is made by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and is subject to the availability of remaining funds. This is a tiered scholarship program, with the most prestigious of the scholarships listed first. Students are only eligible to receive one of these academic scholarships, not a combination of them except for the Valley Housing Scholarship. Academic Scholarships are renewable as long as certain renewal criteria are met.

For more information on any of the scholarships listed below, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (800) 968-9500, (989) 964-4200, or admissions@svsu.edu. You can also review frequently asked questions.

For a quick glance at our 2025-2026 scholarship offerings, go to https://www.svsu.edu/go/scholarships.

For more detailed information on these scholarships, see below.

Scholarships (Start term 2024-25 Academic Year, and beyond)

President's Scholarship

Eligibility
Graduating high school Senior (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2025. Must complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
The scholarship covers tuition up to 120 credit hours (2024-25 Academic Year covers 124 credit hours) toward your first degree.
Terms
Must have a minimum 3.95 GPA.
Competitive Scholarship
Yes, apply to SVSU by December 1 and be admitted by December 15 for full consideration
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

President's Scholarship - Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
The scholarship covers tuition up to 120 credit hours (2024-25 Academic Year covers 124 credit hours) toward your first degree.
Terms
Must maintain minimum 3.25 SVSU cumulative GPA
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters)

NOTE: To use your President’s Scholarship for the Spring/Summer semester, please complete the Spring/Summer Student Aid Request Form in January/February and return it to the Campus Financial Services Center. You must already be a recipient of the scholarship, this is not an application.

Founder's Scholarship

Eligibility
Graduating high school Senior (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2025. Must complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
$6,500 per year for up to four years toward first degree.
Terms
3.95 or higher cumulative high school GPA.
Competitive Scholarships
No
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Founder's Scholarship - Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
Potential four-year award, maximum $6,500 per academic year, for your first degree
Terms
Must maintain minimum 2.5 SVSU cumulative GPA
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Dean's Scholarship

Eligibility
Graduating high school Senior (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2025. Must complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
$5,000 per year for up to four years toward first degree
Terms
3.70 - 3.94 or higher cumulative high school GPA.
Competitive Scholarships
No
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Dean's Scholarship - Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
Potential four-year award, maximum $5,000 per academic year, for your first degree
Terms
Must maintain minimum 2.5 SVSU cumulative GPA
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Cardinal Scholarship

Eligibility
Graduating high school Senior (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2025. Must complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
$4,000 per year for up to four years toward first degree.
Terms
3.40 - 3.69 or higher cumulative high school GPA.
Competitive Scholarships
No
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Cardinal Scholarship - Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
Potential four-year award, maximum $4,500 per academic year, for your first degree
Terms
Must maintain minimum 2.5 SVSU cumulative GPA
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

University Scholarship

Eligibility
Graduating high school Senior (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2025. Must complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
$3,000 per year for up to four years toward first degree
Terms
3.00 - 3.39 or higher cumulative high school GPA.
Competitive Scholarships
No
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

University Scholarship - Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
Potential four-year award, maximum $3,000 per academic year, for your first degree
Terms
Must maintain minimum 2.5 SVSU cumulative GPA
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer semesters).

Valley Housing Scholarship

Eligibility
Recipient of an academic scholarship, and graduating high school Senior (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 First time in college students) with a start term of Fall 2024. Must complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award
$1,500 per year for up to four years toward first degree. Must live on-campus to receive the award.
Terms
3.0 or higher cumulative high school GPA. Must live on-campus to receive the award. This housing award is "the last dollar". That is, if the student has another "housing-specific" award that pays for all or part of the student's housing charges, that award will be applied first.
Competitive Scholarships
No
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment (must pass 24 credit hours between Fall/Winter semesters).

Valley Housing Scholarship – Renewal Criteria

Renewal of these scholarships is based on the terms of the scholarships when the award was accepted (see your signed acceptance form for more information).

Award
Potential four-year award, maximum $1,500 per academic year, for your first degree
Terms
Must maintain minimum 2.5 SVSU cumulative GPA. Must live on-campus to receive the award. This housing award is "the last dollar". That is, if the student has another "housing-specific" award that pays for all or part of the student's housing charges, that award will be applied first.
Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment, the student must complete at least 24 credit hours between the Fall and Winter Semesters