Private Scholarships

About Private Scholarships

Students at Southwestern Michigan College can receive scholarships from outside sources such as high schools, community organizations, employers, and other scholarship programs.

SMC’s Financial Aid Office regularly receives notification of outside scholarship opportunities. These scholarships have their own application process, requirements, and deadlines. Links to these private scholarships are added to the list below on a regular basis, and it is recommended that students watch this area of our website for updates.

The Department of Education offers an educational resource about outside scholarships, which can be found here. For additional resources, feel free to check out fastweb.com and chegg.com.

A Note About Outside Scholarships

In order for a student to have an outside scholarship awarded on their account, the organization must send a check to SMC. A student can also be tentatively awarded an outside scholarship if we receive a letter from the organization specifying the recipient of the scholarship without a check included. The SMC Financial Aid Office will send a reminder to the student if we have not received a check two weeks prior to disbursement. Any outside scholarship checks still not received by the disbursement date will be removed from the student’s account until a check is received by SMC.

Private Scholarships

Scholarship Name Target Group
AMVETS Department of Michigan Nurses and Allied Health Programs Scholarship

Students who are veterans and majoring in nursing or allied health

Contact: AMVETS Department of MI, 24715 John R, Hazel Park, MI 48030

Berrien Community Foundation Scholarships Students in Berrien County. A limited number of scholarships are also available for students outside Berrien County.

Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship

Open to sons & daughters of K&M Machine-Fabricating Inc. full-time employees; GPA of 2.25 or better; must meet other requirements. Contact K&M’s Human Resources Dept.

Future Farmers of America scholarships Students with a long-term career interest in agriculture
Jack Kent Cook Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Sophomores who will transfer to a 4-year college for the upcoming fall semester (must be nominated by SMC)
Jeannette Rankin Foundation Scholarship Low-income women who are at least 35 years old
Lakeview Foundation Must be a graduate from an eastern Van Buren County high school or live in eastern Van Buren County; maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better; have a financial need; and must be accepted as a nursing or healthcare student to a college or university.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Students whose parent is a current or former Marine
Mary Free Bed Guild of Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship Minority students majoring in nursing
Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Student Leadership Award Students majoring in elementary education or child development
Michigan Nurses Foundation Scholarship Students currently enrolled in a nursing program
Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship Dependent sons or daughters of employees of MRA member firms or part time employees who work at MRA member businesses
Michigan State DAR Rosamond P. Haeberle Memorial Scholarship Students who are Michigan veterans
NALS of Michigan Scholarship Award Students pursuing a career in the legal field
The SallieMae Fund Scholarships Scholarships are available for many types of students in various majors
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County, Inc. Scholarship Foundation grants are open to St. Joseph County students planning to attend any accredited college or university on a full-time basis. See website for complete list of eligibility requirements.