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Michigan vs North Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Michigan offers higher average awards and a diverse range of scholarships, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger funding. North Carolina, with a greater number of grants, may appeal to those looking for more opportunities, albeit with lower average amounts.

State vs State

State A

Michigan

State B

North Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricMichiganNorth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog3788
Avg. award (where known)$3,607$2,964
Max indexed award$15,000$10,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Michigan presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,621.21 and a maximum award of $15,000 across 33 grants. The state is home to notable institutions such as the American Society of Civil Engineers-Michigan Section and the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, each offering multiple scholarships.

Conversely, North Carolina has a slightly lower average award of $2,890.45, with a maximum of $10,000 available through 44 grants. Key organizations like the Foundation For The Carolinas and the Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation lead the way in scholarship offerings.

Top Scholarship Providers in Michigan

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in North Carolina

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Michigan

Michigan's scholarship climate is characterized by higher average awards and fewer overall grants, appealing to those seeking substantial funding.

North Carolina

North Carolina offers a larger number of grants, providing more opportunities, though with lower average award sizes.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Michigan

Median household income

$72,324

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,094

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.46/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,270

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 39.45 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

83

ADI counties

83

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 83 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 83 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

North Carolina

Median household income

$71,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,102

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.80/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.83 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

100

ADI counties

100

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 100 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 100 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Michigan?
The average scholarship amount in Michigan is $3,621.21.
How many scholarships are available in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a total of 44 scholarships available.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Michigan has the highest maximum scholarship amount at $15,000.
What are some top scholarship organizations in Michigan?
Top organizations include the American Society of Civil Engineers-Michigan Section and the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Where can I find more information on scholarships?
You can find more information on scholarships at the Federal Student Aid website or the College Scorecard.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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