University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Scholarships

Apply for Everything

There is a great deal of money to be found in this enormous institution. They are very efficient in the paperwork movement. There are little known bits of money here and there depending on what you want to get involved in on campus. Lots of investigation required.

Not Enough to Go Around

I have had no delays or hassles whatsoever with my financial aid office. Every payment was processed quickly, every direct deposit and paycheck was delivered to my account without any errors or delays, and I have not had to file a single complaint. However, there is an enormous gap between the funding available for undergraduates as opposed to graduate students. The office's website is chock-full of opportunities for undergrads, but the only things listed for graduate students are links for how to apply for federal loans. It is truly disheartening. There is also an enormous gap between the amount that in-state students pay in tuition versus how much out-of-state students pay. I see their logic when it comes to placing focus on students in their own state, but to have to pay almost *triple* the cost of a Michiganer does is unacceptable.

Disorganized, Bare Bones

The Office of Financial Aid is somewhat disorganized (which is maybe not unexpected, given the number of students they have to process). It is not uncommon to be told one thing, only to be told later that the first person was wrong. Additional help is available by calling or making an appointment with a financial aid counselor. For in-state students, most aid is loans and work study. I know only a handful of people who qualified for a scholarship.