Michigan State University scholarships for international students start with the MSU Non-resident Scholarship, which every admitted international first-year student is considered for automatically. It has six levels, from the $3,000 Global Community Scholars award to the $18,000 President’s award, and MSU renews it each year for up to four years. Students invited to the Honors College can also be considered for a $13,000 Honors College Excellence Scholarship or a paid research post, with no extra form.
None of these is a full scholarship. MSU’s estimated cost for an international first-year student in 2026-2027 is $73,120, so the top President’s award still leaves about $55,000 a year. For fall 2027, apply by the 1 November 2026 priority scholarship date; Non-resident Scholarship decisions come out by mid-February 2027.
Key facts about MSU scholarships for international students
- University: Michigan State University (MSU), a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan.
- Main award: MSU Non-resident Scholarship, in six levels for international students.
- Value: $3,000 to $18,000 a year.
- Application: none. All admitted international first-year applicants are reviewed.
- Honors College awards: $13,000 a year Excellence Scholarship or a $3,500 a year Professorial Assistantship for selected international Honors invitees.
- Renewal: annually for four years (eight consecutive fall and spring semesters).
- Priority date: 1 November 2026 for fall 2027.
- Decisions: by mid-February 2027.
- Graduate students: MSU’s international admission scholarships are for first-year undergraduates only.
MSU Non-resident Scholarship amounts
| Level | Amount per year | Four-year value |
|---|---|---|
| President’s | $18,000 | $72,000 |
| Provost’s | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| Dean’s | $12,000 | $48,000 |
| 1855 | $9,000 | $36,000 |
| Beaumont Tower | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Global Community Scholars | $3,000 | $12,000 |
MSU’s scholarship regulations list one more name, #YouAreWelcomeHere, in the same group, without an amount. Awards go to high-achieving admitted international students, judged on academic performance and the rigour of the courses you took. MSU says only a limited number of the students it considers receive offers, and meeting the criteria does not guarantee one. It does not publish GPA or test cut-offs for each level.
Honors College scholarships
If MSU invites you to the Honors College (consideration is automatic when you apply), you may also be considered for these awards:
| Award | Value | Who can get it | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honors College Excellence Scholarship | $13,000 a year | Selected non-Michigan residents and international Honors invitees | Eight semesters |
| Professorial Assistantship | About $3,500 a year stipend for 8 to 10 hours a week of faculty-mentored research | Selected international and homeschooled Honors invitees | Four semesters |
| Honors College Distinction Scholarship | $5,000 a year | Non-resident invitees who are US citizens, US permanent residents or citizens of Canada or Mexico | Eight semesters |
Most international students cannot get the Distinction Scholarship, but Canadian and Mexican citizens can. MSU does not say on its scholarship page whether an Honors award stacks with the Non-resident Scholarship. Its regulations say MSU may adjust awards when you receive other MSU scholarships, so ask your admissions counsellor how the two interact if you receive both.
Other MSU awards for international undergraduates
- Red Cedar Scholarship: $1,250 a year for eight semesters, for children or grandchildren of MSU alumni.
- Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship: $3,000 or $5,000 one time, depending on programme length, for an MSU-sponsored study abroad programme. Use it within your first eight semesters.
Is the MSU scholarship fully funded?
No. Some websites describe MSU scholarships as fully funded. They are partial tuition awards. The highest Non-resident level, $18,000, covers about 40 percent of international tuition ($45,040). MSU’s international office also states that its grants for current students are small and do not cover a full degree.
Michigan State University cost for international students
| Item (2026-27, international first-year) | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $45,040 |
| Fees and taxes | $1,966 |
| Food and housing | $14,146 |
| Books and supplies | $1,420 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | $3,930 |
| Medical | $3,998 |
| Travel | $2,620 |
| Total | $73,120 |
International students pay $1,966 in fees and taxes against $466 for US out-of-state students; MSU does not break down the difference on this page.
What you pay after the award
| Award level | Estimated cost | Award | Remaining per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| President’s | $73,120 | $18,000 | $55,120 |
| Provost’s | $73,120 | $15,000 | $58,120 |
| Dean’s | $73,120 | $12,000 | $61,120 |
| 1855 | $73,120 | $9,000 | $64,120 |
| Beaumont Tower | $73,120 | $5,000 | $68,120 |
| Global Community Scholars | $73,120 | $3,000 | $70,120 |
These are my subtractions from MSU’s published estimate.
Who is eligible?
- You apply as an international first-year student: not a US citizen or permanent resident, and needing a visa to study in the US.
- MSU admits you.
- You pay international tuition.
- You enrol in the semester the award is offered. You cannot defer the scholarship to a later start.
If you took college classes after finishing secondary school, MSU treats you as an international transfer, and this first-year scholarship page does not apply. Dual US citizens apply as US first-year students.
MSU deadlines for fall 2027
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| Priority scholarship date and Early Action | 1 November 2026 |
| Early Action decision guaranteed by | 15 January 2027 |
| Non-resident Scholarship decisions released | By mid-February 2027 |
| Enrollment deposit (Advanced Enrollment Deposit) | 1 May 2027 |
MSU starts awarding scholarships on 1 November and reviews all admitted students. Students who apply after that date can still be considered while funds last. Decisions usually come 8 to 12 weeks after your file is complete.
1 November is the date that matters
Applying by 1 November 2026 guarantees a decision by 15 January 2027 and puts you in the first round of scholarship awards. Later applicants compete for whatever money is left.
MSU English requirements for international applicants
| Test | Regular admission | Provisional admission |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 January 2026) | 79, no section below 17 | 60 to 78 |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 January 2026) | 4, no section below 4 (3.5 for speaking) | 3.5 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 | 95 to 105 |
| PTE Academic | 53, subscores at least 48 | 46 average |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 510 (composite 1110) | Not listed |
| ACT English | 18 (composite 23) | Not listed |
You can also qualify through UK GCSE, IGCSE or A-level English results, Singapore O or A levels, an IB English A score of 5 or higher, three years at a US high school with a 3.0 GPA, or a year of US university study. MSU does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores but does accept the TOEFL Home Edition. The SAT and ACT are optional for admission.
How to apply: step by step
- Check your applicant type: international first-year if you have no college classes after secondary school.
- Start your application: through MSU’s international application page.
- Send transcripts and test scores: including your English test, unless you meet an exemption.
- Submit by 1 November 2026: for Early Action and priority scholarship review.
- Watch for an Honors College invitation: it comes with automatic consideration for the Honors awards.
- Read your scholarship letter: by mid-February 2027.
- Pay the deposit by 1 May 2027: or MSU may cancel your offer.
- Show funds for your I-20: covering the cost after your scholarship.
Making your application stronger
MSU’s criteria are academic performance and curriculum rigour. Take the hardest courses your school offers in your intended field, and if your system has national exams (WAEC, A-levels, IB, CBSE), send predicted or final results as early as you can. Strong grades in maths and sciences matter for STEM majors.
There is no scholarship essay, so the application itself has to show you at your best. Report awards and leadership roles with specifics.
What happens after you apply
- Admission review: MSU usually decides 8 to 12 weeks after your file is complete. Early Action applicants who apply by 1 November 2026 hear by 15 January 2027.
- Honors College invitation: sent to selected admitted students, with automatic review for Honors awards.
- Scholarship letter: Non-resident Scholarship decisions are released by mid-February 2027.
- Deposit: pay the Advanced Enrollment Deposit by 1 May 2027.
- I-20 and visa: show funds for the year after your scholarship, then book your F-1 interview.
Eligibility edge cases
- Sponsored students: if a government or employer pays your tuition, tell your admissions counsellor. MSU may reduce the scholarship.
- Deferring your start: not allowed with the award. You must enrol in the semester it was offered for.
- Becoming a US resident: a change in tuition residency affects future eligibility.
- Admitted before 2024: MSU keeps older regulations for earlier admits; this page covers the current rules.
How to keep the scholarship
- Stay classified as an international student for tuition. A change in residency or a tuition waiver affects your award.
- Enrol in and complete at least 12 credits each semester. Dropping below needs approval from the Office of Financial Aid.
- Stay in good academic standing.
- Report any break in enrolment and request an official leave of absence.
- Tell your admissions counsellor about sponsor or government tuition support, because MSU may adjust the award.
- The award stops after eight consecutive fall and spring semesters, including any you were not eligible for.
Funding for graduate and current students
MSU’s international admission scholarships are for first-year undergraduates. Graduate students often get funding from their department through assistantships. The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) runs two small hardship awards for current F-1 and J-1 students: an Emergency Tuition Award covering up to three credits for students close to finishing, and an Emergency Assistance Award of usually $1,000 or less. Neither pays for a degree.
Costs the scholarship does not cover
- Remaining tuition after the award.
- Food and housing ($14,146) and medical costs ($3,998).
- Books, travel and personal costs.
- Visa and SEVIS fees.
Common mistakes
- Applying after 1 November and missing the first scholarship round.
- Expecting a separate scholarship form. There is none.
- Treating an Honors award and the Non-resident Scholarship as automatically additive.
- Deferring your start and expecting to keep the award.
- Dropping below 12 credits without approval.
How MSU compares with similar US awards
| Scholarship | Value | Application | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSU Non-resident Scholarship | $3,000 to $18,000 a year | Automatic | This page |
| University of Houston scholarships | Merit awards, priority date 2 November 2026 | With admission | University of Houston scholarships |
| Tulane merit scholarships | Up to $32,000 a year | With admission | Tulane University scholarships |
| Morehead-Cain (UNC) | Tuition, housing, meals, books and summers | Nomination or referral | Morehead-Cain Scholarship |
See our list of the best American scholarships for international students for fully funded options, and scholarships for college students for awards you can add after you enrol.
Who should apply, and who should not
MSU suits students who want a large research university with many majors and can show $55,000 to $70,000 a year from family or a sponsor. Strong students should apply by 1 November to be in line for the President’s or Provost’s level and an Honors invitation.
If you need a full scholarship, MSU’s awards will not cover enough. Apply to full-need universities and fully funded programmes as well.
FAQ
Does Michigan State give scholarships to international students automatically?
Yes. All admitted international first-year students are reviewed for the MSU Non-resident Scholarship, worth $3,000 to $18,000 a year. Only a limited number receive offers.
Is the Michigan State University scholarship fully funded?
No. The top award is $18,000 a year, while MSU estimates 2026-27 costs at $73,120 for international first-year students.
When is the MSU scholarship deadline for international students for fall 2027?
The priority date is 1 November 2026. Students who apply later can still be considered while funds last, and decisions come by mid-February 2027.
Can international graduate students get MSU scholarships?
The admission scholarships are for first-year undergraduates. Graduate students mostly rely on department assistantships, and OISS offers only small emergency awards.
Sources and updates
Award levels, amounts, Honors College awards and the 1 November and mid-February dates come from MSU’s international student scholarships page; renewal rules from MSU’s international scholarship regulations; the deposit and decision timing from its freshman dates and deadlines page. Costs come from MSU’s cost and aid page (2026-27 international first-year estimate). English requirements come from MSU’s international language requirements page. OISS awards come from the OISS funding page. Checked on 25 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
