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External funding

UMSI students receive scholarships from a variety of sources. In addition to scholarship search sites, here are some places to look:

Over the years, many UMSI students have received scholarships from a number of professional organizations. These external scholarship awards are eligible for matching funds from UMSI (double matching funds for students who have not already received a UMSI tuition scholarship), up to a maximum of $10,000 and subject to availability.

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) offers scholarships for master's students studying librarianship. As many as three $6,000 SLA scholarships are available each year.

The American Library Association (ALA) and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for study in a master's degree in library and information studies from an ALA-accredited program. Students apply directly to the ALA for these competitive and prestigious awards. As with other external scholarships, these awards are eligible for up to $10,000 in matching funds from UMSI.

For application information for external awards, contact the organizations directly. We suggest you consult the Encyclopedia of Associations for more organizations.

These web resources may assist you in searching for additional funding opportunities. Keep in mind that your local bookstore or library may have books that list a variety of other funding opportunities.

Financial Aid Calculators page: Resources provided by U-M's Office of Financial Aid

College Board Online: A scholarship search database, financial aid calculator and college search database

FastWEB!  — Financial Aid Search Through the Web: A searchable database of more than 275,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans

FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page: A free, comprehensive guide to student financial aid maintained by Mark Kantrowitz, author of The Prentice Hall Guide to Scholarships and Fellowships for Math and Science Students, and sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

National Association of Graduate-Professional Students: Website for the NAGPS, including a section on financial aid

FASTChoice: Website that assists students searching for a private loan, providing educational information about private loans in an easy-to-understand format to help you determine which private student loan best meets your needs

U.S. Department of Education: A section on student financial assistance that provides some useful information regarding government support

A number of professional organizations with a commitment to diversity offer funding opportunities for which UMSI students are well suited. All external scholarship awards are eligible for matching funds from UMSI (for students who have not already received an MSI tuition scholarship), up to a maximum of $10,000 and subject to availability.

The following external resources are available in addition to the traditional funding opportunities available from the School of Information.

American Indian Graduate Center: The American Indian Graduate Center of Albuquerque, New Mexico offers graduate fellowships for American Indian and Alaska Native students from federally recognized U.S. tribes.

American Library Association Spectrum Scholarships for Minority Students: The American Library Association (ALA) offers a scholarship program for minority students planning to attend a master's program in information and/or library science.

Association of Research Libraries Kaleidoscope Program: Offers a stipend of up to $10,000 over two years to support graduate study in library and information science for students from underrepresented groups interested in careers in research libraries. The initiative also offers a mentoring relationship with an experienced librarian, a leadership training curriculum and the opportunity to work in an ARL library upon graduation.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (administered by the United Negro College Fund): Established to provide outstanding African-American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete a graduate education pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science.

GEM Fellowships: The GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials) Consortium of the U.S. Department of Education offers fellowships with a stipend and paid summer internship to minority students in technical fields.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarships: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers competitive awards for students of Hispanic heritage.

Library & Information Technology Association Scholarships: LITA offers several scholarships for minority students.

Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES): MAES Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to MAES student members (membership is $10). The purpose of the program is to assist Hispanic students in completing their higher education goals. You must be a member to see scholarship information.

Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT): The MCWT Foundation offers scholarships to women graduate students in information systems, MIS, computer science or computer engineering. One $5,000 graduate school scholarship, annually renewable for up to three years, will be awarded.

Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver: The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver provides tuition assistance for qualifying American Indians who are Michigan residents attending public colleges and universities in Michigan. To be eligible, a student must have not less than one-quarter Indian heritage as certified by the student's tribal affiliation and must be a legal resident of the state of Michigan for at least 12 consecutive months.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Fellowships: NSBE offers fellowships for its members (membership is $10) in technically oriented graduate programs. Several SI programs, including the MSI in human computer interaction, qualify.

Native American Scholarship Fund Scholarships: These awards are for American Indians or Alaskan Natives (one-quarter heritage or more) in science-related fields.

Society of American Archivists Mosaic Scholarship: This award is given to minority applicants who demonstrate excellent potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who manifest a commitment both to the archives profession and to advancing diversity concerns within it.

Society of American Archivists Josephine Forman Scholarship: The purpose of the Josephine Forman Scholarship is to provide financial support to minority students pursuing graduate education in archival science, to encourage students to pursue a career as an archivist and to promote the diversification of the American archives profession.

There are many resources available to assist veterans and family members of veterans with tuition costs, and military members and veterans qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of residency! The following resources may assist you in your search for additional funding opportunities:

Qualifying for In-State Tuition

Students who demonstrate one of the following may qualify for in-state tuition regardless of their legal residence:

  • You are serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Merchant Marine or Coast Guard.
  • You are a reservist in one of those branches.
  • You were honorably discharged or received a general discharge under honorable conditions from one of those branches or their reserve component.
  • You are serving as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service.
  • You are the spouse or dependent child of someone living or stationed in Michigan who is serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Merchant Marine or Coast Guard, whether on active duty or as a reservist.
  • You are the spouse or dependent child of someone living or stationed in Michigan who is serving as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service.

General information for scholarships for veterans and family members:

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) offers many different programs and services that support those in the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard.  

Information for college credit for military service:

​The American Council on Education collaborates with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experiences and recommend appropriate college credit for members of the Armed Forces. ACE’s credit recommendations appear in the Military Guide and on military transcripts.

You may qualify for the Post 9/11 - GI Bill If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001 and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Please contact the VA Certification Office for further assistance.

Scholarship information for children of veterans:

The Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community.

Scholarship information for children of Marine Corps veterans:

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children.

Financial aid and loans information for Navy and Marine Corps veterans, active duty personnel, or their children:

The Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society provides financial assistance and education (as well as other programs and services) to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, their eligible family members, widows and survivors.

Apply for in-state tuition

These guidelines provide an alternative test for establishing in-state tuition eligibility based on attendance at Michigan high schools and Michigan middle or junior high schools and matriculation at the university within 28 months of high school. 

Financial aid and assistance

Most financial aid, including federal, state and many institutional aid sources, requires recipients to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. 

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 734-763-6600 or [email protected] for more information.