Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships & Grants
Most scholarships are designed for those in their senior year of high school. Start early on your search so you can locate those for which you meet the eligibility requirements. They take some time and effort to find, complete, and submit, but it's well worth the effort!
You should also plan on completing the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) every year that the student is in college. These links will provide more information on the FAFSA and to help you find ways to pay for college. https://studentaid.gov/ and https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa State aid awards are based on the first college listed on the FAFSA.
The Muskegon PROMISE Scholarship
The Promise Scholarship is available to 2026 graduates of Holton High School who have a 2.5 GPA or above. It is available for students who enroll in Muskegon Community College, Baker College, or NUVO College of Cosmetology. It covers a 2-year degree or certificate at any of these institutions. You must complete the FAFSA, and you should still apply for scholarships for which you are eligible. For graduating classes before 2026, refer to the following list to check your Promise eligibility:
- Class of 2025 - 2.50 GPA
- Class of 2024 - 3.00 GPA or one of the exceptions (CTC or top 30%)
- Class of 2023 - 3.25 GPA or one of the exceptions (CTC or top 30%)
- Class of 2022 - 3.40 GPA or the CTC exception
- Class of 2021 - 3.50 GPA
- Class of 2020 - 3.50 GPA
- Class of 2019 - 3.50 GPA
- Class of 2018 - 3.50 GPA
- Class of 2017 - 3.50 GPA
- Class of 2016 - 3.50 GPA (Muskegon Public, Muskegon Heights PSA, Holton Public only)
- Class of 2015 - 3.50 GPA (Muskegon Public, Muskegon Heights PSA, Holton Public only)
The Community College Guarantee
- What is the MI Guarantee?
- Free in-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees
- No income or high school GPA requirements
- Skill Certificate or Degree
- Online or In-Person
- Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant can receive an added $1,000 to help cover added costs like books & supplies
- Renewable annually
Eligibility - Complete the FAFSA (Application opens October 1st. DO NOT apply earlier than Oct. 1st because your financial aid will be incorrect.)
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. [Dependent students’ your parent(s) must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year (FAFSA)]
- Earn a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or high school equivalency certificate, from a Michigan high school in 2023 or after
- Enroll in college full-time, within 15 months of graduation
- Students are not eligible if they’re in default on a federal student loan
What are my next steps? - Complete the 2026/2027 FAFSA (DO NOT apply before October 1st, 2025!)
- Apply to Muskegon Community College
- Register for classes as a full-time student
- Financial Aid will apply the MI Guarantee
- See the Michigan Community College Guarantee page for more details
Renewal Requirements: - Complete the FAFSA annually
- Continue to live in Michigan
- Continue to enroll in college full time
- Continue to earn credits and meet your college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy
Available Scholarships & Grants
Here is a link to our Holton scholarship spreadsheet. This document is constantly updated as new scholarships are found. This document can be a helpful place to start with scholarships, but see the tabs at the bottom of the sheet to continue your scholarship search. See the College Adviser for a paper copy
The following links might be helpful in getting you started with other scholarships & grants:
Local & Other Scholarships (& their usual due dates):
Please read the eligibility and application instructions on the website carefully before applying.
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County offers a variety of scholarships for Holton students. It is one application for various different scholarships. All seniors are encouraged to complete this application. Every year, the scholarship opens October 1st and is due February 1st. Link to apply.
There are many scholarships available for students who will attend Muskegon Community College next year. You should check out their scholarship pages at www.muskegoncc.edu/scholarships (those have various deadlines).
