The Michigan Competitive Scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first degree and is based on both financial need and merit. To be considered, a student must take the SAT (Class of 2017 and beyond) prior to entering college. Students must provide their Social Security number to MI Student Aid by their senior year in high school. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If a dependent student, parent must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee. They must not be incarcerated. Applicants must be studying in a Michigan community college, public university, or degree-granting, non-profit independent college (cannot be an institution whose primary purpose is to prepare students for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious sect).