For graduating seniors in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. Special consideration is given to students who have overcome specific hardships to achieve their personal and educational goals.

For graduating seniors of Detroit Public Schools, who also graduated from one of the eligible east side Detroit grade schools who are now pursuing college degrees.

The Horatio Alger Association, through the generosity of its members, provides aid to students in all states who have displayed integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.

For graduating seniors who are residents of southwest Detroit, attending eligible southwest Detroit high schools.

For single mothers who are residents of Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties and want to attend Wayne State University, the University of Michigan or the Columbus College of Law at Catholic University of America.

For graduating seniors who are children of eligible Michigan Teamsters members and attending or planning to attend an eligible institution in Michigan.

For graduating seniors who reside in one of the 21 communities served by the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal program designed to provide early intervention services and programs to students in middle school and high school. The mission of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. MICHIGAN GEAR UP (MI GEAR UP) targets low-income students in the state of Michigan providing them with support services to increase their opportunity to succeed in higher education at Michigan's higher educational institutions.

Awarded to in-state Honors College invitees who have been offered a Professorial Assistantship; $5,000 annually, renewable for eight semesters.

Awarded to a limited number of Michigan residents who are National Merit Finalists and name MSU as their first-choice institution.