Michigan State University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Yes, online students can still be eligible for many MSU scholarships, but most awards are tied to your program/college (and being admitted/enrolled) rather than being “online-only.” MSU Online specifically tells students to browse the MSU Scholarships database to find scholarship and fellowship opportunities, then check program-specific requirements.

MSU offers scholarships across most subject areas because awards can be general (open to many majors), departmental (limited to certain majors), and graduate fellowships. That includes STEM fields (like computer science/data science, biology, agriculture, and more), engineering, business, humanities and social sciences, education, arts/design, and many interdisciplinary programs.

From the MSU scholarship-recipient stories on Global Scholarships, you can see STEM examples directly: Mahnoor Sheikh pursued a Master’s in Data Science, and Solo Arman Peralta Mercene pursued a Master’s in Entomology. Mahnoor describes her program as combining “foundational courses in statistics and data analysis” with “advanced electives in machine learning.”

MSU has scholarships for both U.S. and international students, but eligibility depends on the specific award. For example, MSU’s international admissions scholarships include awards where “all international students admitted to MSU are automatically considered” (such as the MSU Non-resident Scholarship), while other scholarships may be restricted by residency (e.g., Michigan resident-focused awards) or by donor/program criteria.

Recipient stories show that MSU scholarship pathways are genuinely international in practice: Mahnoor Sheikh is from Pakistan, and Solo Arman Peralta Mercene is from the Philippines. Both studied at MSU through Fulbright-funded master’s routes.

Often, yes for international applicants. MSU requires proof of English proficiency for regular admission unless you qualify for an exemption (for example, certain U.S.-based schooling or degree conditions). Common ways to meet the requirement include TOEFL or IELTS (and MSU also lists other acceptable options such as MSUELT/CELP, etc.).

In the recipient stories, English testing was part of the path: Mahnoor Sheikh reports a TOEFL score of 110, and Solo Arman Peralta Mercene says, “we are required to submit scores from two standardized tests: the GRE and the TOEFL.”

For undergraduate admission, MSU states admission is competitive but that there are “no minimum requirements,” and it publishes an enrolled first-year profile (middle 50%) that includes a high school GPA range. Scholarships for first-year students commonly consider your high school performance (and can be reviewed holistically, especially under test-optional policies).

For graduate admission, many MSU programs commonly expect about a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent), but requirements can be program-specific. In the Global Scholarships recipient stories, Mahnoor Sheikh had a 3.73/4.0 CGPA and says her application stood out due to her “strong academic record combined with relevant work experience,” which is a good benchmark for competitive scholarship pathways.

MSU does not generally set a single university-wide age limit for scholarships; most eligibility is based on admission/enrollment and the scholarship’s criteria. However, some specific scholarships (especially external awards or certain MSU unit awards) can include age-related eligibility rules, so always read the individual scholarship page carefully.

A strong academic background usually means solid grades in a rigorous curriculum (or strong university performance for graduate applicants), plus clear alignment between your goals and the scholarship’s mission. Many MSU scholarships start with a simple baseline: be admitted (and often enrolled) in an eligible MSU program; then meet the award’s academic/departmental criteria.

From the recipient stories, two patterns show up clearly: (1) strong academics and clear goals, and (2) relevant experience. Mahnoor Sheikh points to “strong academic record combined with relevant work experience,” while Solo Arman Peralta Mercene highlights purpose-driven fit. He chose MSU because “MSU had conducted prior research” relevant to his pest-management work.

Undergraduate (including international first-year): MSU commonly asks for your admission application and official transcripts sent directly from your school(s). International applicants are also typically expected to submit official academic records (e.g., transcripts/mark sheets/certificates) and may need proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL/IELTS) unless exempt.

Graduate: requirements vary by program, but commonly include official transcripts, and may include standardized test scores (where required), a personal statement/letter of intent, résumé/CV, and letters of recommendation. MSU Online’s graduate application guidance also lists items like “three letters of recommendation,” a “personal statement,” and a “résumé or curriculum vitae” as common program requirements.

From the recipient stories, you can see how this looks in real life: Mahnoor Sheikh says Fulbright used her “personal statement and study objective,” and she identifies “personal statement, study objective, and letters of reference” as key components; Solo Arman Peralta Mercene highlights test documentation, noting the GRE and TOEFL score submissions.

Undergraduate: MSU lists a $75 application fee to officially submit an undergraduate application (fee waivers may be available for eligible applicants).

Graduate: fees can depend on the application type/program, but many MSU graduate applications list $65 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants (MSU Online provides this structure and some departments echo it). Separately, MSU’s Academic Programs Catalog also lists an application fee amount, so if you see a different fee in your portal, follow the portal/program instructions.