Purpose Statement for LEAD Scholars Program
In an effort to provide access and opportunity, the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan* offers a select number of merit-based scholarships through the LEAD Scholars program. Thanks to generous donors, the LEAD Scholars program supports admitted undergraduate students of the University of Michigan who embody leadership, excellence, achievement, and diversity.
- Leadership: We support admitted U-M students who have demonstrated leadership experience, and who intend to continue to serve as leaders in the U-M community.
- Excellence: We support admitted U-M students who demonstrate high merit and excellence in academics.
- Achievement: We support admitted U-M students who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments.
- Diversity: We support admitted U-M students who have diverse perspectives from their unique life experiences, which may include, but is not limited to, life experience as a member of an underrepresented demographic group.
*The LEAD Scholars program is administered by the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, which is an independent 501(c)(3), separate from the University of Michigan, with Tax ID 23-7206591.
Eligibility Criteria for LEAD Scholars program
- Be an admitted first-year student at the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus. The program is open to domestic students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students are not eligible.
- Submit two brief essays:
- One essay explaining how you exemplify the four pillars of the LEAD Scholars program: leadership, excellence, achievement, and diversity.
- One essay explaining how you plan to contribute to the LEAD Scholars community and represent our values to the broader University of Michigan community.
- Have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5+.
- Submit the name, title, and school email address of a teacher or counselor who may submit a recommendation for the applicant regarding how the applicant demonstrates the four pillars of LEAD: leadership, excellence, achievement, and diversity.
- Provide a University of Michigan financial award letter. This allows us to assess any remaining out-of-pocket expenses such as tuition, and/or room and board.
If you are unable to complete the application in one sitting, you will have the option to save your progress and resume at a later date. To do this, simply select the “Save Progress and Resume Later” checkbox in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Please note that only fully completed applications will be considered.
