Scholarships and Fellowships | Giving | Michigan Technological University

Scholarships and Fellowships

A group of students walks on the campus mall in early fall.

Supporting students through scholarships and fellowships is Michigan Tech’s top strategic priority. This is especially true now with the need created by COVID-19. Donor-funded scholarships (for undergraduate students) and fellowships (for graduate students) come through two sources—the Annual Scholarship/Fellowship Fund and the Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship Fund. Learn more.

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The Numbers

90 percent of MTU students receive some type of financial aid
Of those, 800+ Michigan Tech students receive some sort of donor-funded scholarship
There are 496 endowed scholarships and 43 endowed fellowships.
$73M in total scholarships is distributed annually to Tech students
23 percent of MTU students are eligible to receive federal aid intended for low-income students
57 percent of undergraduate students utilize federal students loans (compared to 40 percent for Michigan State University and 30 percent for the University of Michigan)
$66,400 median early career salary for a Michigan Tech graduate means socio-economic mobility for many students

Testimonials

Donor-funded scholarships mean so much to those who receive them. In many cases, they can be life changing. Having the ability, through these scholarships, to help students attend Michigan Tech and succeed, both inside and outside the classroom, is critical to our mission.

—Joe Cooper, Director of Student Financial Services

I can not express to you in words alone how thankful I am for your generosity and kindness. If it was not for your help, I probably would never graduate. I was even talking with my wife about having to drop out of school and the route that would take us. I am overjoyed now that I can finish school, and I foresee a bright future for us. I will work harder than ever now thanks to you. The stress from our financial hardships have only been limiting my ability to learn. I feel a great humility, and I now have another reason besides my family to reach great achievements. I feel incredibly blessed. Thank you!

—Anonymous Student

Types of Student-Support Funds

The Michigan Tech Fund offers two main types of scholarship and fellowship funds based on the method chosen to support the awards:

1. Annual Scholarship/Fellowship Fund

Offering support to any student with need, this important fund makes a Michigan Tech education possible for many deserving students. Gifts in any amount are gratefully welcomed. You can make a donation to the Michigan Tech Fund online.

2. Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship Fund

In contrast to the total payout policy used for annual funds, endowed funds limit spending to a portion of the investment return. Therefore, the principal (your gift) can be invested in longer-term, higher-yielding assets with the objective of providing growth and a hedge against inflation.

For more information, read about setting up a scholarship or fellowship, call the Office of Advancement at 906-487-3325.

History

Michigan Tech has a long history of awarding donor-funded scholarships. Here are some of the earliest established scholarship funds.

Norrie Scholarship

Established in 1890 in honor of A. Lanfear Norrie, who was a friend of Michigan College of Mines.

Paul M. Kidwell Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1918 by his Kidwell’s father, who was a professor at MCM.

Charles E. Wright Scholarship

Established by his wife, Carrie Wright, sometime prior to 1923. Charles was a friend of MCM.

Josephine and William Balconi

Josephine and William Balconi

Dr. David and Marie Blum remember Marie's parents as "kind, gracious, warm, and always helpful. They were always involved in helping others."

In memory of Josephine Agnes and William Joseph Balconi, the Blums have initiated the Balconi Endowed Scholarship to continue a culture of community service on campus. Funds will be awarded to Michigan Tech students who demonstrate community service, regardless of background or area of study.

"Community service is an area that isn't typically recognized," said Marie. "We thought it would be nice to have an award where the student didn't have to be the top brain in the class. We want to help students who help others."

David and Marie are both Wayne State University alumni. Even though neither is a Tech graduate, they have family ties to both the area and University. Josephine (Butkovich) and William Balconi lived in Detroit after WWII but called Houghton home. Numerous uncles and cousins attended Michigan Tech.

David and Marie both enjoy coming to the Copper Country. "People in the area are known for their independence and self-reliance, but they also help neighbors in need," David said. "The economics of the Upper Peninsula can be difficult, and we wanted to support students in this area."

The Balconi Endowed Scholarship will first be awarded in Spring 2022. Students will be nominated and the winner chosen by a committee and announced at the Student Leadership Banquet held each spring. One scholarship recipient per year will receive a $5,000 award.

"Everyone who is nominated has already won because they've helped others," said David. "Our hope is that it's not something they do just in college, but for the rest of their lives. We hope this helps produce well-rounded students—strong not only in academics, but in helping humanity."