Michigan Technological University and Alma College Graduate Education Fellowship Program

Welcome, Students and Alumni of Alma College!

Graduate school can be a powerful next step—whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new area, or strengthen your long-term career and leadership trajectory. Michigan Technological University and Alma College are partnering to help make that next step more affordable and more attainable.

Together, we are offering a Graduate Education Fellowship Program grounded in Alma College’s mission: "preparing graduates who think critically, serve generously, lead purposefully, and live responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations." This fellowship extends that mission by creating a clearer, more supported pathway from an Alma degree to advanced graduate study at Michigan Tech.

Alma’s emphasis on critical thinking, purposeful leadership, and generous service aligns with Michigan Tech's graduate education, which is both intellectually rigorous and practical. MTU, designated as Research 1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production by the Carnegie Classification, is also among the nation’s leading research universities.

Through this fellowship, a limited number of graduate education fellowships will be available to qualified Alma graduates, making Michigan Tech graduate certificates and degrees—online or on campus—within easier reach. Immerse yourself in the residential graduate experience in Houghton or choose the flexibility of online study while continuing to work and advance professionally. Whatever path you choose, you’ll build new confidence through graduate-level study while earning a respected credential.

In short, recipients can use this graduate fellowship opportunity to

pursue a graduate credential and deepen their expertise through advanced study
invest in their long-term professional development and educational growth
open new paths toward leadership opportunities, increased responsibilities, and career mobility

"Michigan Tech is a globally recognized technological university that educates students, advances knowledge, and innovates to improve the quality of life and to promote mutual respect for all people within the state, the nation, and the global community."Vision and Mission, Michigan Tech Strategic Plan

Overview of the Fellowship Program

Michigan Tech archway on a sunny spring day.

Applicants must have previously earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree.
The Graduation Education Fellowship is available to up to 20 Alma College graduates who are enrolling as new students in either on-campus or online graduate certificates or master's degrees from Michigan Technological University.
The maximum amount, $8500 (USD) per academic year, is based on enrollment in 18 credits spread over three semesters. That is, the award is prorated based on the number of credits. For instance, if students were enrolled in 9 credits, the maximum fellowship would be $4250.
The fellowship is renewable for up to four years, provided that recipients continue to meet the eligibility requirements of both the graduate fellowship program and the scholastic standards of the Michigan Tech Graduate School.

Take the Next Steps.

Explore all of Michigan Tech's graduate programs.
Review the Michigan Tech Graduate Application Process.
Create an account and begin the free application to your program of choice. For your program, choose either "online" or "on-campus."
Important Note: When completing the application, there are two questions that identify you as a student or alumni of Alma College:
- When you get to the step asking about your previous college, make sure you choose "Alma College" and then fill in all the fields.
- On the "Program of Study Page," indicate whether you are applying to an online program.
- Then, for the question asking about whether you are applying to a negotiated agreement program, please select "yes."

Screenshot of application process where someone is choosing Alma College as their previous institution

Screenshot of Application Process: Adding Details about Alma College Attendance

Screenshot of Application Process; Saying "Yes" to Negotiated Partnership Program.

Complete the application, filling in your student statements and uploading all of the necessary documents.
Further explore your program and MTU while waiting for acceptance into your program and further communication from us.
At any stage of the process, reach out to one of our dedicated admissions advisors if you need help.

Following these steps will ensure that your graduate fellowship applications are received and processed in a timely manner. Remember to apply soon, for there are a limited number of these fellowships!

Get Help With the Application Process.

If you have questions, large or small, during any stage of the graduate education fellowship application process, please contact one of our knowledgeable, friendly, graduate admissions advisors.

Both Faye and Amanda not only have over a decade of experience helping students through all stages of the admissions process, but also have a deep knowledge of Michigan Tech's on-campus and online graduate programs. If they can't answer your questions, they'll connect you to the right person.

Pursuing an On-Campus Program?

Contact Faye Dompier, Graduate Admissions Coordinator for the Michigan Tech Graduate School.

Faye Dompier, Admissions Advisor for the Grad School

📧 Email: fedompie@mtu.edu
📞 Phone: 906-487-2467
Make an appointment on her calendar.

Pursuing an Online Program?

Contact Amanda Irwin, Graduate Admissions Manager for Michigan Tech Global Campus.

📧 Email: globalcampus@mtu.edu
📞 Phone: 906-487-1000
Make an appointment on her calendar.

Who is eligible for this graduate education fellowship program?

Graduates of Alma College who have already earned an undergraduate degree are eligible for this program. They must also be enrolling as new MTU students in either an on-campus or online graduate program.

How do I apply for the graduate education fellowship program?

Alma College graduates must use Michigan Tech's standard graduate application process to be considered for their program of choice.

Important Note: When completing the application, there are two questions that identify you as an Alma College student or alumni:

When you get to the step asking about your previous college, make sure you choose "Alma College" and then fill in all the fields.
On the "Program of Study Page," indicate whether you are applying to an online program.
Then, for the question asking about whether you are applying to a negotiated agreement program, please select "yes."

What do these fellowships cover?

The fellowship covers the cost of tuition only. For instance, recipients must still pay for fees, books, (the rest of) tuition, and other costs.

Is the $8500.00 offered per calendar year? Or per academic year?

The fellowship is offered per academic year. Also, Michigan Tech bills by semester.

Are fellowship recipients eligible for other awards?

Students receiving these fellowships are not eligible for any other Michigan Tech institutional aid, which includes but is not limited to fellowships, grants, athletic aid, tuition discounts, and foundation awards. However, students may still access other forms of funding outside of Michigan Technological University. For instance, we encourage you to also apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you need extra help funding your education.

Are there any programs excluded from these fellowships?

Yes, a few graduate programs are excluded from this fellowship. They are listed below.

Graduate Certificates

Master's Programs

Even with these exclusions, though, you still have 100+ programs from which to choose!

What is the difference between a graduate certificate and an MS degree?

A graduate certificate is a 9 (or sometimes 12) credit program that helps you build on your undergraduate degree, such as by adding a focus area or a specialty. A master's degree, on the other hand, consists of 30 credits. Many students choose to stack graduate certificates to create their customizable master's degrees. Alternatively, many earn graduate certificates along the way whille pursuing their master's degree.

What are the requirements for applying to these programs?

Graduate certificates require a proof of an undergraduate degree. However, for master's degrees, applicants require a CV/Resume, transcript/proof of their undergraduate degree, short statements (personal and student), and other documents. For more information about master's program requirements, check out the Graduate School requirements as well as information on the page of your chosen program.

Do I need a GRE or GMAT score to apply?

Great news! Applicants do not need GRE or GMAT scores to apply.

Do I need letters of recommendation to apply? If so, how many? And from whom?

The programs differ on their requirements, but most require two of these letters. If you’ve been out of school for awhile, these letters don’t have to be written by a former professor. That is, they could come from your employer or manager as long as these references can verify your credentials and state your suitability for your online program.

Are there language proficiency requirements for international students?

Yes, there are. Michigan Tech requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 or an IELTS score of 4.5.

How do I calculate the cost of the tuition for my program?

Michigan Tech provides a helpful resource for calculating cost of tuition. This resource is based on full-time tuition, so make sure that you adjust your costs according to the credits you are taking.

Who will help me with the fellowship process?

We have a small but mighty team who is ready to help you and get you through the application process as quickly as possible. We recommend you begin with either Faye or Amanda, who both are very familiar with the graduate application process.

How do I maintain my fellowship?

To continue to receive your fellowship, you must meet these criteria:

maintain continuous enrollment in your online program
uphold Michigan Tech Graduate School's academic standing

Will I have access to academic services if I am attending online?

Yes, all Michigan Tech students have access to the university's helpful services, such as academic advisors, library resources, career services, and financial aid advisors. Whether you're attending online or on-campus, you're still a Husky, a valued member of the Michigan Tech Community!

Will I have to pay back the fellowship if I don't maintain the scholastic requirements of the grad school?

No. If you don't maintain scholastic requirements, you will not have to pay the fellowship back. However, you will be no longer eligible for it.

Not sure whether graduate school is right for you? Or worried about going back to school? Check out these articles.