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Michigan vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Michigan offers a higher average award size but fewer opportunities compared to Pennsylvania, which has a broader range of scholarships available. Applicants seeking larger awards may prefer Michigan, while those looking for more options might consider Pennsylvania.

State vs State

State A

Michigan

State B

Pennsylvania

Quick comparison

MetricMichiganPennsylvania
Active scholarships in catalog37125
Avg. award (where known)$3,607$3,131
Max indexed award$15,000$40,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape presents distinct opportunities in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Michigan boasts an average scholarship award of approximately $3,621, with a maximum award reaching $15,000 across 33 grants. In contrast, Pennsylvania offers a slightly lower average award of $3,000 but has a significantly larger pool of 101 scholarships available, with maximum awards soaring up to $40,000. This difference indicates a more competitive environment in Pennsylvania, where applicants may find a wider variety of funding options.

The top universities in Michigan include organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers-Michigan Section and the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, each offering multiple grants. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's scholarship opportunities are highlighted by institutions such as the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation, which provide numerous grants to support students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Michigan

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Michigan

Michigan's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities but higher average award sizes, appealing to applicants seeking substantial funding.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers a more extensive scholarship landscape with a greater number of grants, making it suitable for applicants looking for diverse funding options.

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.

Pennsylvania

Median household income

$78,689

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,133

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.17/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.55 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

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 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 approximately $3,621.
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers a total of 101 scholarships.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
Pennsylvania has a higher maximum scholarship award of $40,000 compared to Michigan's $15,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Michigan?
Top scholarship providers in Michigan include the American Society of Civil Engineers-Michigan Section and the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Where can I find more information about scholarships?
You can find more information about scholarships on the Federal Student Aid website and the College Scorecard.

Sources and official pages

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

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