Financial Aid & Scholarships

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

Manistee Community Foundation and other local scholarships will be promoted January - April 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 April 15, 2026.

• American Legion Brewer and Wilson Scholarships  available to Michigan residents who are a son, daughter,  grandchild or great-grandchild of a war-time veteran planning to or are attending a college or university or trade school. Require G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher, financial need is considered.  Completed paper applications must be received (not postmarked) by January 5, 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

• MENSA Foundation A variety of scholarships, awarded based on a 550-word essay that outlines academic and professional goals and describes how personal experiences will help achieve them. Due January 15, 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

• Horatio Alger Scholarships A variety of scholarships open to high school juniors and/or seniors with financial need.  Applications set to open December 1 and are due by March 1, (or later) 2026

• SET SEG Skilled Trades  $1000 scholarships for MI Public HS students who 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 set to open in January 2026 and are due by April 2026

• Cherryland Electrical Cooperative 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.  Renewable scholarships of $1,000 annually.  Applications set to open in January 2026 and are due by April 2026

Scholarship Search Tools:

• 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.