Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced a historic milestone for Michigan students and families: more than 56,000 Michiganders are benefiting from the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Program this fall, saving more than $131.5 million in tuition costs. This represents a significant step toward making higher education more accessible and affordable, with benefits extending to community colleges, Tribal colleges, private institutions and public universities across the state.
The program, launched in 2022, provides recent Michigan high school graduates with a clear path to pursue postsecondary education. Students can qualify for:
- A tuition-free associate degree or skill certificate through the Community College Guarantee.
- Up to $27,500 over five years to attend a Michigan college or university.
- $4,000 to earn an industry-recognized certificate at an eligible training provider.
Participation in the program has more than doubled since last year, with substantial increases across all sectors:
- Community colleges saw a 191% increase in participation, with 15,829 students now enrolled.
- Private colleges and universities experienced a 98% growth in scholarship recipients.
- Public universities doubled their numbers, supporting more than 33,000 students this fall.
This surge highlights the growing awareness and impact of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, but there’s still room to expand its reach. Principals play a critical role in ensuring that students and families understand this opportunity and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a key step in accessing these funds.
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP, emphasized the program’s transformative potential.
“We believe every student should have access to the lifelong educational opportunities they need,” she said. “Thanks to the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, we are saving families an average of nearly $2,345 and empowering them to thrive for years to come.”
To further support your school community, the Michigan College Access Network offers materials and resources to help students navigate the FAFSA process and explore their scholarship options.
Let’s work together to ensure every eligible Michigan student benefits from these unprecedented opportunities. Encourage your students to complete their FAFSA, explore career and education pathways, and take advantage of the scholarships that can make their dreams a reality.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Achievement.