Scholarships & Awards

The Zell Lurie Institute scholarship program, established in 2003, is a merit-based scholarship program for returning graduate students (or part-time MBA students with at least 30 completed credits) and for rising undergraduate junior and senior students. 

Eligible students will have achieved a meritorious GPA and will have demonstrated exemplary academic standing, strong entrepreneurial knowledge and interests, and engagement with courses, programs, and leadership at the University of Michigan.

The scholarship award can only be received once by a student.

Through the generous support of our donors, the scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000 toward tuition. Students who receive a scholarship will be expected to help the Institute advance entrepreneurship at Michigan Ross and the University of Michigan by serving as program volunteers. Scholars will also be expected to attend the Institute Advisory Board meeting lunch. Please email ZLIScholarships@umich.edu with questions.

How to Apply

The 2023-24 Zell Lurie Institute scholarship program application closed Friday, July 14, at 8:00 a.m. A complete application will include your resume (as page 1) and your essays (pages 2 and 3) combined into a single PDF, plus a copy of your unofficial transcript as a separate upload.

This single PDF and unofficial transcript must be uploaded as part of the required application via this online form. Scholarship recipients will be announced in August 2023.

To apply for a scholarship, write an essay not exceeding two pages in length (1.5 line spacing, 1 inch margins), that addresses all of the following:

Zell Lurie Institute University of Michigan Ross Scholars

Describe your short-and long-term goals in entrepreneurship

How has your experience with ZLI courses and/or programs prepared you for these goals?

How do you plan to engage with the Institute in this academic year?

How will this upcoming engagement forward your goals?

Which ZLI programs have you participated in and which program(s) had the biggest impact?

Please also provide a list of entrepreneurial activities you have been involved with at U-M and in the past (include dates)

Scholarship Disbursements

Each graduate and undergraduate recipient will receive an award of $5,000 toward their tuition. Awards are split evenly between Fall and Winter terms.

If your uncovered tuition is less than the award disbursement per term, you are still eligible to apply, but your monetary award will be reduced to the uncovered amount in each term.

If your tuition is fully covered by another scholarship or sponsorship source, you are not eligible to receive funding, though you may be eligible to be designated as a ZLI Scholar.

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Questions?

If you have questions about your specific loans or scholarships and how they will be affected by this scholarship, please contact Financial Aid at (734) 764-5139.

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Internships

The internship program at the Zell Lurie Institute helps startup companies and venture capital firms hire University of Michigan students for a 12-week hands-on work experience. 

Student Success Stories

The Zell Lurie Institute challenges how things are done and teaches University of Michigan students to constantly question and innovate. The Institute believes in providing our students with the most diverse, world-class and rewarding entrepreneurial education – resulting in success after success.

About Zell Lurie

The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies advances the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation through a broad range of activities, including academics, symposia, competitions, and global community outreach.