Financial Aid & Scholarships

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Check with the college you are applying to for institutional scholarship opportunities.

Local (County/Community)

• 2026 Manistee County Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application Scholarships open to graduating seniors from Bear Lake and other Manistee County Schools.  This is one application  that determines and opens consideration for several different scholarship awards.  The FAFSA SAI and a high school transcript are required.  Please work with Mrs. Burrus for assistance with these items.   applications are due online March 1, 2026

• NEWThomas and Alvina Mallison Scholarship Open to graduating seniors planning to enroll at an accredited 2- or 4-year institution of higher learning, for the purpose of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the field of education. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.9 on a 4-point scale. due to the counseling office by March 27, 2026 to be sent by the offical due date of April 1, 2026

• NEW West Shore Bank Making a Difference Scholarship open to graduating senior students attending high school located in the seven-county West Shore Bank service area of Mason, Manistee, Benzie, Oceana, Muskegon, Wayne, and Grand Traverse Counties.  Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (or a "B" average).  Must enroll at a college or university, which is not a community college. Due by electronic submission or postmarked by March 31, 2026

• NEW Filer Credit Union Open to students accepted at an accredited college, university, or school for the 2025-2026 school year.  The participant must be a member of Filer Credit Union.Due by electronic submission by March 31, 2026

• NEWPFLAG Manistee Scholarship Priority is given to applicants who have demonstrated service in support of the LGBTQ+ community and/or who have demonstrated an interest in social justice, diversity, and inclusion by involvement in school clubs, community advocacy, church groups, etc. applications are due April 3, 2026 (apps. can be submitted online or by mail.  If you would like counseling office support for paper/mail option, you must act before spring break)

• NEWLakeside Club of Manistee County Scholarship for Service open to graduating female students who demonstrate community and school involvement, have acceptance at a college, junior college, university, trade school or certification program within twelve months of high school graduation, genuinely care for others before self/is an advocate for anti-bullying and is a model of good citizen that is respected by her peers.  Applications are due to the counseling office by April 14, 2026 to be delivered to the Lakeside Club by April 17, 2026.

• NEWTriginta Club of Bear Lake open to students graduating from Bear Lake High School who plan to attend a college or trade school.  Applications are due to the counseling office by April 15, 2026

• Arcadia Lions Club Scholarships available to graduating seniors focused on occupational training in areas that don't necessarily require a 4-year college degree (ie. community college programs, skilled trades programs, apprenticeships, training at for-profit institutions, etc.).  Applications are due to the counseling office by April 14, 2026 to be delivered to the Lions Club by April 15, 2026.

• NEWBlue Tigers Scholarship for Trade School The Blue Tigers will provide a scholarship in the amount up to $2,000

or the cost for enrollment, transportation, and books, whichever amount is less. The student must be enrolled in a trade school applications are due May 10, 2026 by mail or email

Regional/State/National

• SET SEG Fergen Scholarship $1,000-$2,500 scholarships open to MI Hs students who plan to enroll in a two year or four year post secondary program in Michigan.  Entries are due by March 16, 2026

• NEWBBB Trust Scholarship Open to current High School Seniors(class of 2026) -Applicants must live within the 80 counties served by the Better Business Bureau of Michigan (all Michigan counties except Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale).Applications are due by March 26, 2026

• SET SEG Skilled Trades  $1000 scholarships for MI Public HS students who have attended CTC and plan to enroll in a two year or four year college, technical school or other accredited technical institute.  Student must have been enrolled at Career Tech.  Applications are due by March 27, 2026

• Couragous Persuaders  Scholarships open to high school students nationwide who use their creative talents to enter. Create a 30-second television commercial promoting safe driving. Compete in categories like impaired driving & distracted driving. Entries are due by March 30, 2026

• American Legion Skilled Trades Scholarship  Open to graduating seniors who are pursuing a construction/building, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or energy career either in a post-high school trades training/apprenticeship or earning a 2-year college degree in the any of areas listed above where the student would be certified at the state or federal level.  Completed paper applications must be received (not postmarked) by April 3, 2026

• Cherryland Electrical Cooperative $4,000 scholarships open to students whose parents or legal guardians are a Cherryland Electric Cooperative member whose primary residence is in Cherryland’s service territory.  Applicant must be a high school senior with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.  Scholarships of $1,000 renewable annually for four years.  Applications are due by April 3, 2026

• NEWRural Michigan Scholarship open to graduating seniors in Michigan who plan to attend a post secondary program in Michigan. 2.0 GPA minimum required. Applications are due by April 17, 2026

Scholarship Search Tools:

• Access Scholarships - Michigan:  A listing of scholarship opportunities for Michigan students.  Eligibility requirements and due dates for each scholarship are included.  

• MI Scholarship Search:  MI Student Aid houses a database of Michigan place-based scholarships. A Michigan place-based scholarship means that one of the scholarship components is linked to a Michigan school, county, city or region.

• Big Future Scholarship Program:   Juniors and seniors should register for this early (junior year... though it's not too late if you're a senior).  You will be rewarded with opportunities to earn scholarship $$$ for completion of college readiness steps.

• FastWeb:  Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid news and resources.

• Going Merry:  Going Merry helps students find and apply for scholarships and helps counselors track their progress, all for free.