Scholarships Info Session: Have questions about applying to JMC's Admitted Student Scholarships? Attend an online info session on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Students admitted to JMC for Fall 2027 can register to attend via MSU's Admissions Portal. Contact jmcadmin@msu.edu with questions.
Applications for JMC scholarships for incoming first-year and transfer students are now open and are due on Sunday, March 2027, at 11:45 p.m. EST.
How to Apply: There are three separate application forms. Students may submit applications to each form, if desired:
The Omnibus Application is used for multiple awards, which means that individual submissions are reviewed for all awards for which they are eligible. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
The JMC Alumni Access & Opportunity Scholarship requires a separate application and essay submission (400 to 600 words).
The Nelson and Marlene Cummings Scholarship requires a separate application and essay submission (1,000 words).
Scholarship Review: Each scholarship application will be evaluated by a committee.
Notification: Recipients selected during the first round of awards will be notified by April 1. Additional award notifications will be sent on a rolling basis in the weeks leading up to May 1.
Contact JMC's Office of Outreach & Recruitment (jmcadmin@msu.edu) with questions. Browse scholarship opportunities for incoming students entering JMC in the Fall 2027 academic year below.
One $4,000 award for 2027-2028 (renewable for up to 4 years)
Open to every admitted student in the first-year class, this scholarship is designed to introduce students to the college’s focus on interdisciplinary study in the social sciences and public affairs. This award is supported through the JMC Alumni Association.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $4,750 award for 2027-2028 (renewable for up to 4 years)
This gift honors A. Gordon Adams, Jr. a 1942 graduate of Michigan State University who spent most of his professional career with the First Michigan Corporation specializing in bond sales for government units, agencies and public service organizations. His own career has affirmed his belief in the benefits of a broad and liberal education and in the importance of students whose understandings of public affairs can forge public and private linkages that emphasize the value of service.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $3,500 award for 2027-2028 (non-renewable)
This scholarship honors two accomplished and generous supporters of James Madison College, Michigan State University and public affairs education. Ms. Marilyn Darling is a graduate of the college as well as a very active leader of Madison’s Board of Visitors. It is the donor’s hope that recipients of this award will feel an ethical obligation at a future date to support the college and actively participate in assisting future generations of Madison students.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity
One $3,000 award for 2027-2028 (renewable for up to 4 years)
Open for students admitted to James Madison College’s first-year class, with primary preference for graduates of high schools in Genesee County, Michigan. This award honors Daniel Oginsky, who grew up in the Flint, Michigan area before attending James Madison College and going on to law school. This award was created to support students from the Genesee County area who can in turn later help support their own communities.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $2,500 for 2027-2028 (renewable for up to 4 years)
Open to every student admitted to the James Madison College first-year class, this scholarship honors the family members of John Habib, a Diplomat in Residence with the U.S. State Department who has previously taught at James Madison College as a visiting professor. The awards are in honor of his nine siblings: Eva Malcoun, Agnes Moffett, Bergita Nahas, Jemelia Thomas, Backus Habib, Margaret Pagano, Lilian Andary, Joseph Habib and Thomas Habib.
John’s financial support for student scholarships serves to advance understanding, knowledge, and determination to seek solutions to complicated contemporary world issues.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $2,500 award for 2027-2028 (renewable for up to 4 years)
Open to every student admitted to the James Madison College first year class, with primary preference for graduates of high schools in St. Clair County, Michigan. This scholarship honors James Madison College graduates Tom Tanton and Sally Geib. Both Ms. Geib and Mr. Tanton feel that JMC provided them with excellent education and opportunities. Mr. Tanton was born and raised in Port Huron. Ms. Geib and Mr. Tanton would like to give back to that community, and they wish to encourage students from the Port Huron area to attend MSU and James Madison College.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
Two $3,500 awards for 2027-2028 (renewable up to 4 years)
Evans Scholarships are awarded to first-generation college students enrolled in JMC. Professor Emeritus Richard Evans co-founded the Madison first year writing program in 1974 and taught at the college for 26-years. He created the scholarship with his wife Merrill in 2014.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application via Google Forms. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $3,000 award for 2027-2028 (renewable up to 4 years)
The Platt scholarship was established to attract talented students to James Madison College at Michigan State University. The scholarship is currently awarded to one first-year student and is renewable for that student's next three years at JMC. The scholarship reflects Dixie Platt’s outlook and her support of first-year students, whose adjustment she saw as the foundation of everything that followed. The award recognizes academic excellence and contribution to the Madison community.
Apply for this scholarship through the The Omnibus Application. The Omnibus Application requires a short personal statement (400 words) and your resume.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.
One $8,000 award for 2027-2028 (non-renewable)
The Nelson and Marlene Cummings Scholarship was founded by United States District Judge Jeffrey Cummings, a 1984 Madison graduate, to honor his parents and their life-long commitment to public affairs, civic activities, and education. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist James Madison College in its effort to recruit and retain students whose presence will further the College's compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a racially and ethnically diverse student body.
Apply for the The Nelson and Marlene Cummings Scholarship via Google Forms. This application requires a 1,000-word essay. View the essay prompt via Google Forms.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. This scholarship is open to all incoming JMC students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.