A Guide to Scholarships for Freshmen at Ferris State University
If you’re an incoming freshman at Ferris State University, there are more scholarship opportunities available than you might realize.
From automatic merit awards to alumni legacy scholarships and Michigan state aid, Ferris State offers multiple ways to reduce the cost of college and invest in your future.
If you’ve already been admitted, now is the time to secure your scholarships before key deadlines.
Automatic Merit Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen
Many incoming students qualify for automatic merit-based scholarships at Ferris State University through the Woodbridge N. Ferris Scholarship program.
The university awards these scholarships based on academic performance and requires no separate application beyond your college application.
Woodbridge N. Ferris Scholarships include:
- Founder’s Scholarship
- President’s Scholarship
- Provost’s Scholarship
- Dean’s Scholarship
- Crimson Scholarship
These awards are renewable and are based primarily on high school GPA (and test scores, if submitted).
Bulldog First-Year Alumni Scholarship
The Bulldog First-Year Alumni Scholarship celebrates Bulldog family legacies.
This scholarship is available to:
- Children of Ferris State University alumni
- Grandchildren of Ferris State University alumni
- Incoming first-year students
If your parent or grandparent earned a degree from Ferris, you may be eligible for this exclusive legacy opportunity.
Additional Scholarships for Freshman at Ferris State
Beyond automatic merit awards, incoming freshmen can apply for additional institutional scholarships through ScholarshipUniverse, Ferris State University’s scholarship matching platform.
These include:
- Forward Scholarship
- Ferris Next Scholarship
- Momentum Scholarship (for students from charter schools)
- Program-specific scholarships
- Donor-funded scholarships based on academic major, leadership, background, interests, and more
ScholarshipUniverse matches students with both Ferris-funded and external award opportunities.
To qualify for as many awards as possible, make sure you complete your profile.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Michigan residents enrolling at Ferris State University may also qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
This state-funded program provides significant financial support to eligible Michigan students based on residency and FAFSA information.
To be considered:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Confirm Michigan residency
- Enroll as a full-time student
For many Michigan families, this scholarship significantly reduces out-of-pocket tuition costs.
Next Steps
Head to the Ferris State Financial Aid page to explore your next steps. The Financial Aid team is ready to answer your questions and support you in your journey to Ferris State! Schedule a one-on-one session with one of our financial aid experts.