College & Career Advising

Types of Scholarship and Financial Assistance Available to YCHS Students

Types of Financial Aid

Student Loans

Loans are money that you borrow and must pay back with interest. If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as a part of your school's financial aid offer. When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.

Grants

Grants are a form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. A variety of federal grants are avialable including:

• Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grants (FSEOG)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education (TEACH) Grants

Scholarships

Scholarships can be offered by many nonprofit and private organizations to help students pay for college or career school. They can make a real difference in helping you manage your educational expenses!

Work-Study

Federal Work-Study Programs allow you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You will earn at least the current federal minimum wage. You can sometimes even earn more dependign on the type of work you do and the skills required for the position. Your total work-study award depends on:

• when you apply (the earlier the better)
• your level of financial need
• your schools funding level

Types of Scholarships 

Local Scholarship's

Local scholarship opportunities available to YCHS students. See your school counselor or Ms. Liz if you have any questions.

Government Scholarships

Aside from grants and loans, the government (local, state, or federal) also offers scholarships. The options vary across the country, so requirements for qualification may also vary. Government scholarships can go towards their general educational costs or can also go toward specific programs such as helping students afford studying abroad.

Merit Aid

A form of financial assistance that is provided based on a student's skill or academic accomplishments. Can include athletic or artistic abilities, testing scores, or grades. These can come directly from your college/university or other scholarship opportunities. 

Need-based Aid

These scholarships are determined by stuents' financial situation rather than only their merit. There are often household income thresholds for receiving this type of scholarship.

Identity-based Scholarships

These scholarships are a type of financial aid that is awarded to typically underrepresented groups to encourage participate in programs and/or fields that tend to be homogeneous. This can include students who are from specific ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or have learning or mobility differences. In addition to a specific identity, many of these scholarships require a certain GPA or pursuit of a subject or career field.

Athletic or Activity-Based Scholarships

These scholarships are based on a student's involvement in a variety of sports or a profession, hobby, or extracurricular activity. Athletic scholarships are typically offered directly from a schools athletic department, while activity-based scholarships are offered through philanthropic donations or foundations that are partnered with the school. 

Military or ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Scholarships

Scholarships are available for all five branches of the U.S. armed forces: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. This type of aid typically goes to active or reserve service members and veterans, but sometimes may extend to family members. ROTC scholarships are typically offered to high school or current college students who are interested in becoming an Officer in the military. These scholarships are varied with some covering full tuition and fees, including a monthly living expense stipend, and others only covering a specific amount towards tuition.

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) Scholarships

There are many AAACF scholarships that students graduating from Ypsilanti Community High School may be eligible to apply for:

Only one application is needed to apply for all scholarships that you are eligible for! Fill out that application here: Link to Application

Eligibility Details Document: Link to Eligibility

Deadline:  February 13, 2025 @ 3 PM

Ypsilanti Community Schools Foundation Scholarships

Link to YCSF Scholarship Form.

Applications due April 6, 2025.

Divine 9 & Local Black Organization Scholarships

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Theta Zeta Lambda Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors in Washtenaw or nearby counties who have demonstrated improvement in their academic, social, and life skills.

This is a one-time scholarship given to multiple students, each amount is to be determined.

Click here for the digital scholarship application!

Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025

Pearls & Ivy Foundation, Inc. 2025 Scholarships

Founded by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Delta Psi Omega Chapter.

The Foundation awards one-time merit and need-based scholarships to college-bound twelfth-grade students attending high school in Washtenaw County, MI, through generous donations. This scholarship was established to assist African-American female students in their educational pursuits and male students in the Delta Psi Omega Youth Program. The Foundation also supports local community programs and organizations that provide services in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and neighboring communities.

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed application or https://pearlsandivy.org/scholarship-application
• An official high school transcript with current GPA (through Parchment Electronic Services)
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor or https://tinyurl.com/PI-2025LOR
• A current resume
• A 300 to 500-word essay, typed and double-spaced (choose one of the following)
  • 1. Describe a personal accomplishment and the skills you used to achieve it
  • 2. Describe a time you failed and what you learned from that failure.

Deadline (for all scholarships): Friday, February 28, 2025 by 11:59PM (midnight).

AAYI Kappa Foundation Scholarship

An affiliate of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Ann Arbor=Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter

Eligibility Criteria:

• Entering into freshman year at an accredited institution of higher learning during the 2025-2026 academic year
• Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Applicants are required to submit the following to their application:

• A completed online application or https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/KAPPAFOUNDATION/AAYISCHOLARSHIP
• Copy of academic transcript
• One page personal biography, typed and double-spaced, outlining their career goals and community service involvement as well as why they feel they should receive a scholarship.
• Minimum of one (1) letter of recommendation. Any recommendations should be written by either an academic sponsor or communiy leader (e.g. pastor, leader of a community organization, coordinator of a public service activity, etc.). No relatives, please. No more than two (2) recommendations will be accepted.

Deadline: Friday, April 11, 2025

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

• African-American female
• African-American male (Letita Lightfood Byrd Scholarship only)
• Graduating high school senior who plans to attend an accredited college or university beginning Fall 2025
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Exhibits leadership abilities, engages in community service, and participates in extracurricular activities
• A resident of and attends school in Washtenaw County

Applicants are required to submit the following for their application:

• A completed, typed application or https://www.annarbordeltas.org/_files/ugd/8c7e9c_df2e48c389614a29bfdcb8f495e4fc3b.pdf
• A clear head shot photograph
• A one page double-spaced essay (no more than 250 words)
• Copy of academic transcript
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members, one of which must be high school staff. Letter requirements can be found on the application.

All applications can be scanned and submitted via email to aadstsolidgold@gmail.com, or mailed directly to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter c/o Scholarship & Recognition, P.O. Box 3704, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3704.

Deadline: application must be emailed or postmarked or date-stamped by April 1, 2025

Delta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.m Margrette Ann Taylor Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Criteria:

• Female African American high school senior
• Attending high school in Washtenaw County and/or Benton Harbor High School
• Minimum 2.8 GPA on 4.0 scale
• Demonstrate active participation in community/extracurricular programs
• Accepted and enrolled in an accredited college/university for Fall 2025.

Applicants are required to submit the following for their application:

• A completed application or https://form.jotform.com/213526860987165
• A 500-750 word essay
• Copy of academic transcript

Deadline: April 1, 2025

Zeta Phi Beta National Education Foundation Scholarships

The link to the Scholarship Application can be found here: https://z-nefscholarships.smapply.org/  

Deadline: February 1, 2025

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Zeta Zeta Sigma Book Scholarship

• Two (2) awards for $250 or books and course supplies

The link to the Scholarship Application can be found here: https://jg1kl71th67.typeform.com/to/Yyoqk53e

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Scholarship information forthcoming!

Alsame Scholarship 2025

Multiple $500-3000 scholarships are available to seniors who meet the following criteria:

• Be a high school senior,
• Have a minimum gpa of 2.0,
• Be on track to graduate from a Michigan high school in 2025, and
• Latino/a or Hispanic ancestry

Visit https://alsame.org/scholarships/ for additional information and application.

Deadline:  March 10, 2025

Horatio Alger Scholarships (Undergraduate & Career & Technical Programs)

While most other scholarships focus exclusively on academic achievement or leadership potential, Horatio Alger Scholarships are also intended for promising students who have critical financial need, demonstrate integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and are determined to succeed.

FOR SENIORS: $10,000 to $52,000 scholarships to specific colleges and universities across the United States.

Key criteria for qualification:

1. Enrolled as a full-time high school junior
2. Demonstrate critical financial need ($65,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
3. Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
4. At least a 2.0 GPA
5. Be a United States Citizen

To see more details, visit https://horatioalger.org/scholarships.   

Deadline:  March 1, 2025

Ann Arbor Club of NANBPWC, Inc. Scholarship

It is scholarship application time for many students and the Ann Arbor Club of NANBPWC Inc. is offering scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000 for the 2024-2025 academic school year! 

The NANBPWC scholarships are available to any African American student (female or male) attending a public high school in Washtenaw County who has achieved a senior(graduation) status.  

Click here to download a copy of the application and apply today!

Application Requirements:

• Completed Application (See attachment)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation (one must be from a school staff member)
• Official Copy of High School Transcript
• Essay Statement (150 – 200 Words)

Primary Award Criteria:

• Academic achievement, including grades, rank in class, standardized test scores, and achievement test scores
• Community/extracurricular involvement
• Leadership
• Participation in specific activities
• Awards and recognition
• Personal or family attributes.

If you have any questions, you may contact Ellen Copeland Brown at copeland06@gmail.com. 

Deadline: The deadline to return the application is Friday, March 21, 2025. 

You must submit your application via email or by mail. The mailing and email address' are listed on the application, as well as the completion deadline. Please reach out to your counselor if you would like for us to mail it for you.

Margrette Ann Taylor (MAT) Memorial Scholarship

Legacy of the Dove Foundation will award two scholarships to deserving students from Benton Harbor High School and/or a high school within Washtenaw County.  Each recipient will receive a scholarship award in the amount of $2000.

The Scholarship Application may be accessed here.  

The eligibility requirements for the scholarship include the following:

• Female high school senior of African American descent
• A 750-1000 word essay
• A minimum 2.8-grade point average (4.0 scale)
• Provide an official transcript
• Demonstrate active participation in community programs and services
• Acceptance to an enrolled in an accredited college or university for Fall 2025
• Current headshot

Please email MATScholarship@gmail.com for scholarship questions.

Deadline:  April 1, 2025

Ladies Literary Club of Ypsilanti Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements:

• Senior female graduating from the Ypsilanti Community Schools, Lincoln High or Washtenaw International High School  
• Enrolling in an accredited 4-yr. college as a freshman for fall 2025
• Academic achievement (3.0 GPA or higher)
• Financial need 
• Participation in extracurricular activities 

A maximum of four $3,500 scholarships will be awarded!

Application with attached transcript (with SAT or ACT results) and recommendation must be mailed or emailed to Lynn Archer: 

Email address: dustylra@comcast.net or 

Mailing address: 2324 Yorkshire Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Questions?  Contact Lynn Archer (734) 274-1892 or at the email address above.

Click here to download the application and complete your application today!

Deadline:  April 11, 2025

Scholarships for Michigan Residents

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Starting with the high school class of 2023, students will be eligible for more financial aid from the State: 

• Up to $2,750 if they attend a community college, per year
• Up to $5,500 if they attend a public university, per year
• Up to $4,000 if they attend a private college or university, per year

Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need* when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

*Financial need is defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $25,000 or less.

High school seniors can get started by following these steps: 

1. File the FAFSA.
2. Create an MiSSG Student Portal account three to five business days after filing your FAFSA.

Tuition Incentive Program

A program for eligible students who have or have had Michigan Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month consecutive month period (between age nine and high school graduation) as identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Note:  TIP expires six years after high school completion or four years if no award is received.

Click here for more application information.

DEADLINE:  August 31 of senior year.

Rotary Club of Ypsilanti 2025 College Scholarships

The Ypsilanti Rotary Club is committed to the welfare and success of our young people. We are pleased to present six (6) scholarships to the graduating seniors of the Class of 2025. Each scholarship will be $3,000 and students may only apply for one scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria for All:

• Live in the Ypsilanti or Lincoln Consolidated School District

Scholarship applications are available here or on their website at ypsirotary.org/page/scholarships

Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025